Unleashing the Beast

R EVELATIONS IN THE A RABIAN D ESERT / 75

expert who will bring the world under the control of Islamic law and justice. The Shiites, which is the more radical group, are placing high expectations upon the soon arrival of this prince who will conquer Israel and the West. Many will tell you that it won't be long now. This sect teaches that, at the end of days, the 12 th will reappear and become the final prophet of Islam. This man is recognized in the Islamic world as the Mahdi. T HE M YSTERIOUS C OMING OF I MAM A L M AHDI The word Mahdi translates as "the guided one." The belief, especially among Shiites, is that the Mahdi will be guided so directly by Allah that he will be divinely protected from error and sin in all that he does. He will interpret Islam to all men and lead the final Islamic revolution that will convert the world to the religion of Islam. Shiites believe the Mahdi will be both a political and a military leader of great conquest. There are numerous traditions concerning this mysterious person. The Islamic holy book, the Koran, has little to say concerning this man. Most traditions developed in the eighth century and beyond. While both the Sunni and the Shiite branches have a teaching on the Mahdi, the Shiites have the strongest teaching that he will appear near the end of the world. Below is a list of teachings from Islamic tradition concerning the Mahdi and the end of days:  His name will be Muhammad, and he will trace his