mahdi

2 definitions found

mahdi - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mahdi \Mah"di\, n. [Ar., guide, leader.]
     Among Mohammedans, the last imam or leader of the faithful.
     The Sunni, the largest sect of the Mohammedans, believe that
     he is yet to appear.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The title has been taken by several persons in
           countries where Mohammedanism prevails, -- notably by
           Mohammad Ahmed, who overran the Egyptian Sudan, and in
           1885 captured Khartum, his soldiers killing General
           Gordon, an Englishman, who was then the Egyptian
           governor of the region.
           [1913 Webster]

mahdi - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Mahdi
      n 1: (Islam) a messianic leader who (according to popular Muslim
           belief) will appear before the end of the world and restore
           justice and religion