Explain the importance of belief in the Mahdi for Shi'i Muslims.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] Various Hadith were passed down through Shi'i traditions, which refer to the Mahdi as the guardian of knowledge after the prophets.
2. [10] Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have said: "If there were to remain in the life of the world but one day, God would prolong that day until He sends in it a man from my community and my household. His name will be the same as my name. He will fill the earth with equity and justice as it was filled with oppression and tyranny." This is thought to refer to the Mahdi.
3. [10] Ja'far al-Sadiq, the Sixth Imam, referred to the Mahdi as a figure who would return to conquer the world and unite all people as believers.
4. [10] Twelver Shi'i Muslims believe that the Mahdi will come and establish a reign of justice and peace, in which Islamic law (shariah) is perfectly applied according to the revelations given to Muhammad (pbuh).
5. [10] A line of twelve Shi'i Imams in the first few centuries of Islam ended with the disappearance of the twelfth Imam. He is thought to have gone into occultation and will return as the Mahdi. First, the Imam entered a minor occultation but appointed deputies on earth whom he guided on occasion; secondly the Mahdi entered a major occultation which will last until the last days.
6. [10] The Mahdi and his chosen ones will return with him and they will fight the antichrist (Dajjal). A reign of justice will occur after the Mahdi defeats the antichrist, then 'Isa will return, in a belief similar to Sunni traditions.
7. [10] The Shi'i Mahdi doctrine influences Shi'i Muslims today. Some Shi'i Muslims believe they should bear suffering with patience in expectation of the coming of the Mahdi who will defeat evil and establish righteousness.
8. [10] Others believe they should work with the same aims of the Mahdi in challenging unjust rule, so take part in political activities. This is said to have influenced the 1979 Iranian revolution and creation of a theocratic state.
9. [15] The main focus of this question is to evaluate the extent of the significance of any differences between Shi'i and Sunni beliefs, going beyond identifying and describing the beliefs themselves. Focus should be on beliefs rather than practices.
10. [15] It might be argued that Sunni and Shi'i beliefs in the oneness of God (tawhid), that God sends messages through messengers (risalah), and eternal life after the Judgement (‘akhirah), are essentially the same amongst Shi'i and Sunni Muslims.
11. [15] Sunni Muslims agree with righteous, fair and just government and leadership. They agree, but see it through the lens of the Caliphate of the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs, rather than the events of Karbala.
12. [15] Some scholars stress the similarities between the two sects. Shi'i scholar Seyyed Hossein Nasr, for example, argues the two have no major differences of belief, but have their distinct perspectives and traditions.
13. [15] The position of the Shi'i Imam could be seen as significant. Shi'i Muslims believe the line of succession should have been through 'Ali and the Prophet's family. They see the death of Hussain and his family at Karbala as a great injustice marked each year during 'Ashura. This is a very significant occasion for Shi'i Muslims not shared in the same way by Sunnis.
14. [15] Shi'i Muslims consider the Imam to be a source of authority who interprets the Qur'an without error and so should be obeyed. How far this is different from Sunni Imams, Shaykhs, Sufi guides (murshid), Sunni Caliphs in the early days and so on, might be considered.
15. [15] How far practices such as self-flagellation on the occasion of Muharram are linked to beliefs and how far they are a difference between sects might be discussed.
16. [15] Shi'i add their respects to 'Ali after saying the statement of faith (shahadah); it could be argued that this shows unity in that the main statement is the same or that this encapsulates a difference in the addition of words of respect to 'Ali.
17. [15] It is a matter of debate how far these practices actually represent different core beliefs, or are simply based on the same basic beliefs expressed through different traditions.
18. [15] Conclusions might draw together the discussion and make a judgement about the extent to which any differences are significant, and the implications of this for the unity of the world-wide fellowship of Muslims (ummah).