Shi‘a Mahdism and the Future of the World: A Futures Studies Analysis with Emphasis on Global Order Scenarios

Abstract

The contemporary world is experiencing profound political, technological, cultural, and civilizational transformations, while crises such as the decline of liberal legitimacy, the expansion of global inequality, environmental insecurity, identity fragmentation, and the return of religion to the public sphere have made the future of world order a central issue in humanities and futures studies. This study adopts an analytical and futures-oriented approach to examine the capacity of Shi‘a Mahdism for interpreting the future of global order. The article is based on the assumption that Shi‘a Mahdism is not merely a theological or eschatological doctrine, but also a civilizational and normative framework for understanding the future of history, global justice, and human transformation. Accordingly, the theoretical foundations of futures studies, scenario building, and global order are first discussed, followed by an analysis of major global trends shaping the future, including the globalization of risk, networked power, the crisis of modernity, the return of religion, and identity transformations. The findings indicate that Shi‘a Mahdism, through its emphasis on universal justice, divine guidance, active expectation, and righteous global governance, provides an alternative framework for criticizing the existing order and imagining a more spiritual and just future. The study also analyzes four major scenarios: the continuation of domination, multipolar order, spiritual transition, and the realization of a Mahdist global order. The results demonstrate that the preferable future in Mahdist thought is one in which justice, spirituality, rationality, and human dignity are realized on a global scale, and humanity is liberated from oppressive and unjust structures.