In Islamic eschatology, the Mahdi is most closely associated with which concept?

• A. A Prophet
• B. A Saint
• C. A Caliph
• D. A Messiah

Answer: (D)

The question is getting at how Islam envisions an awaited savior who appears before the end of the world to restore justice. The Mahdi is described as the promised, rightly guided leader who will appear in the end-times to prepare the world for the return of Jesus, whom Muslims call al-Masih, the Messiah. Because the term Messiah signifies a salvific, anointed deliverer in eschatology, it best captures the Mahdi’s role as the coming reformer and restorer of justice, rather than a Prophet (the messenger with revelation), a Saint (a pious person), or a Caliph (a political-religious ruler). In this sense, the Mahdi is closely linked to the concept of the Messiah within Islamic eschatology.