Tasawwur-e-Mehdi (a.s.) is one of the most influential works that explains the Shia Islamic understanding of Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.), his mission, and the concept of divine leadership in the age of occultation. Ayatullah Baqir al-Sadr approaches the subject not only as a religious belief but as a rational, sociopolitical, and spiritual necessity for humanity.
In this book, he lays out a clear argument that the belief in the Promised Savior is rooted deeply in human nature, in the teachings of all Abrahamic religions, and in the historical need for justice. He clarifies that Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is not a mythical or symbolic figure but a real, living Imam, whose occultation is part of God’s divine plan to preserve the final leadership for the ultimate establishment of justice.
Ayatullah al-Sadr highlights the following key themes:
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Universal Hope for Justice:
Humanity has always longed for a savior who will end oppression and establish a world grounded in fairness and divine values. This universal expectation is fulfilled in the person of Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.).
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Rational Basis of Occultation:
The hidden existence of the Imam is presented as a logical solution to historical circumstances where true leadership could not openly operate due to persecution. Occultation becomes a means of preserving the divinely appointed guide.
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Role of Believers During Occultation:
Al-Sadr emphasizes that waiting (intizar) is not a passive state but an active responsibility—to reform oneself, resist injustice, strengthen faith, and prepare society for the era of the Imam’s appearance.
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Mahdism as a Movement:
The book portrays Mahdism as a dynamic concept that inspires ethical action, societal transformation, and spiritual growth. Belief in the Imam creates a sense of purpose and motivates believers to work for a future aligned with God’s justice.
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Continuity of Prophetic Mission:
Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.) is presented as the inheritor of all prophets and Imams, completing the mission of Islam by establishing a global government built on truth, equality, and God-consciousness.
Overall, Tasawwur-e-Mehdi (a.s.) provides a profound and systematic explanation of the doctrine of Imamate in the context of the awaited savior. Ayatullah Baqir al-Sadr transforms the idea of Mahdism from a mere theological belief into a living, existential, and motivational worldview, offering hope for oppressed peoples and direction for believers in every era.
