Does Imam Mahdi Already Exist Beforehand?

Question

It is written in Bihishti Zewar (“Heavenly Ornaments”) that Hazrat Mahdi ﵇ will appear close to the [Hour of] Resurrection — does this mean that he already exists beforehand? Does the word “appear” raise a doubt about this?

Answer

No, he does not exist beforehand. Under the heading “Kitab al-Mahdi”, Imam Abu Dawud, in his Sunan, has related hadiths with their chains of transmission, in which his signs and certain circumstances are recorded — that he will be such-and-such, and will do such-and-such.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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