Mahdi

[mah-dee]

noun

plural

Mahdis 

1. the Muslim messiah, an expected spiritual and temporal ruler destined to establish a reign of righteousness throughout the world.

2. any of various claimants to this role, especially Muhammad Ahmed, who established an independent government in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan that lasted until 1898.

Mahdi

/ ˈmɑːdɪ /

noun

1. the title assumed by Mohammed Ahmed. ?1843–85, Sudanese military leader, who led a revolt against Egypt (1881) and captured Khartoum (1885)

2. Islam any of a number of Muslim messiahs expected to convert all mankind to Islam

Other Word Forms

• Mahdist noun
• Mahdism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mahdi¹

First recorded in 1790–1800, Mahdi is from the Arabic word mahdīy he who is guided

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mahdi¹

Arabic mahdīy one who is guided, from madā to guide aright

Example Sentences

The office of Mahdi Al-Mashat, the Houthis' president, that several other ministers "sustained moderate and serious injuries" as a result of the strike.

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Mr Durma's ancestors were related to the Mahdi, a 19th Century leader who created the foundations of the Sudanese state and an influential religious movement.

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For months, Nimisha's relatives and supporters have been trying to do this by raising diyah, or blood money, to be paid to Mahdi's family, and negotiations have been going on.

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Mahdi Manji, director of public policy at the Inner City Law Center, said that by not allowing affordable housing in the single-family-home areas, the rezoning proposal is “playing at the edges” of integrating communities.

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“For every wise player, there comes a moment when the cost benefit calculation shifts and all strategies are reset,” said Mahdi Mohammadi, the chief adviser to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s Parliament.

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