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The idea of a man who would arise to right the injustices in the world of Islam has been widely held and collections of hadiths include ample references to the Mahdi.
The [[Shia Muslims]]
"Once I went to see [[Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib]] (peace be upon him and his family) and found him thinking and he drawing lines on the ground. I then said, "O Amir al-Mu’minin (commander of the faithful) I can see you thinking and drawing lines on the ground. Have you become interested in the worldly things?" He (peace be upon him) replied: "No, by Allah, I have not become interested in it and the whole world not even for a day; but I thought about a baby from my descendants, the eleventh generation (i.e. 11 Imams after himself - being the 12th Imam). He will be '''Imam Al-Mahdi''' who will fill the earth with justice and fairness after it has been filled with suffering and injustice. He will disappear from the public sight and in confusing conditions. Certain people will deviate and others find the path of guidance." al-Asbagh then asked, "O Amir al-Mu’minin (commander of the faithful), how long will the duration of confusion and the disappearance be?" Imam Ali replied, "Six days or six months or six years." al-Asbagh then asked: "Will this really come to pass?" Imam Ali replied: "Yes, just as his (Al-Mahdi's) creation will be necessary (so will his disappearance be necessary). However, O Asbagh, this is not your concern. Those people will be of the best in this nation, with the best virtuous ones of this family (of the Prophet)." al-Asbagh then asked: "What then will happen afterwards?" Imam Ali replied: "Allah will do whatever He wills or decides. He possesses change of plan (Bada’s), wills, goals and ends."
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