Definition

Noun: - An adherent of Mahdism: A follower of a religious or political movement centered on the belief in a messianic figure known as the Mahdi, who is expected to appear and restore justice and true religion.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Mahdist forces fought a series of battles in the late 19th century.
  • He studied the writings of a prominent Mahdist leader.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is often used specifically to refer to followers of Muhammad Ahmad, who declared himself the Mahdi in Sudan in 1881 and led a successful revolt against Egyptian and British rule.
  • The Mahdist state in Sudan lasted until 1898.

Variants and Related Words

• Mahdism (n): The belief in, or the movement associated with, the coming of the Mahdi.
• Mahdi (n): The prophesied redeemer or messianic figure in Islamic eschatology.

Synonyms

• Follower of the Mahdi
• Messianist (in the specific Islamic context)

Notes on Meaning

• The term "Mahdist" primarily denotes a follower of a specific Islamic messianic doctrine. Its most common historical application is to the Sudanese movement of the late 19th century. It is not typically used for general followers of Islam.

Noun

1. an adherent of Mahdism