AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): An academic session titled “Mahdist Governance: The Civilizational Manifestation of the Institution of Imamate” was held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, by the Mahdism Association in cooperation with the Imamate Research Institute, and hosted by ABNA News Agency, with presentations by Mohammadreza Fouadian, Ali Saeili, and Mohammad Farmahini.
At the outset of his remarks, Hojat al-Islam Mohammadreza Fouadian emphasized, “The earth is never devoid of God’s proof; the history of Shiism has never been without an Imam. This is a matter unique to the Shiite school, which holds that in all eras an Imam has existed and that his presence continues.”
Explaining that this continuity is rooted in the divine purpose behind establishing the institution of Imamate, Fouadian said the Infallible Imams (a.s.) strove to fulfill the very aim for which God established Imamate, noting that this is the same objective pursued by all prophets. “All the prophets played a Mahdist role in the path toward realizing Islamic civilization,” he added.
Referring to the relationship between Imamate and Mahdism, he stated that Mahdism illuminates the institution of Imamate, describing the Imam as the organizing system among humanity, present among people to guide them.
The Mahdism scholar further noted that many civilizations have emerged throughout history, but the monotheistic system stands in opposition to the Western system. Citing Islamic sources, he said the Imam is not only a source of light but, at times, a source of warning, meaning the Imam has a role in both guidance and admonition.
Outlining the historical trajectory of Islamic civilization, Fouadian said all civilizations have sought survival and growth, and today all await the Reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.). He added that with the beginning of the Imamate of the Twelve Imams, God revealed the verse of the perfection of religion and completion of divine blessing. He said falsehood attempted to undermine Islamic civilization through the event of Saqifah, but God placed the responsibility upon the people to prove steadfastness on the path of truth.
Citing Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.), Fouadian said the Imam stated, “Our government will be the final government,” explaining that all forms of rule will eventually be tested, and in the end, the government of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) will endure, with people turning toward Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
On the conditions of the Reappearance, he said that when humanity reaches a point of desperation and realizes that no human power can resolve its problems, and when people sever reliance on one another, then Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will emerge.
Criticizing Western intellectual systems, particularly liberalism, Fouadian said many assume liberalism can decide humanity’s destiny, while in reality, so-called American human rights have come to dominate the world. Quoting the Supreme Leader, he said humanity must come to understand its true need and place its trust in none but God.
He added that while other schools of thought speak of similar concepts, they lack the depth and comprehensiveness of Mahdist thought. He said that at the time of the Reappearance, throughout the world the call of “أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ” (“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah”), “أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ” (“I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”), and “أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ عَلِيًّا وَلِيُّ اللهِ” (“I bear witness that Ali is the friend of Allah”) will resound, reflecting a broad public استقبال on the eve of the Reappearance.
In the final part of his remarks, referring to the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Fouadian said the position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in scientific, cultural, nuclear, and other fields demonstrates movement along the path of Islamic civilization, a path that leads toward the realization of Mahdist civilization.
He concluded by stressing that moving toward a new Islamic civilization is impossible without a proper understanding of the institution of Imamate and the concept of Mahdism, because Mahdist governance represents the complete civilizational manifestation of the institution of Imamate in human history.
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