Mahdism Key to Understanding Islam: Japanese Researcher
“I believe that Mahdism is a key concept for understanding Islam and its culture. For non-Muslims to truly grasp Islamic philosophy and culture, they must first comprehend the meaning of Mahdism,” Dr. Ryo Mizukami, researcher from the Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, told IQNA.
The world is filled with war, oppression, and other challenges that people often cannot resolve on their own, he said, adding, “In my view, there’s always hope for someone to step in and address these problems and injustices.”
Mizukami said that more efforts are needed to introduce Mahdism to non-Muslims, adding that introducing the Qom-based Jamkaran Mosque can be an effective approach for this purpose.
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Asked about the source of his interest in Islamic history, he said, “For my bachelor's degree research, I chose to focus on the history of Islam. At that time, I felt that many Japanese people didn’t fully appreciate the diversity and differences within Muslim culture. This sparked my interest in exploring the subject as a Japanese person. I was eager to understand the various perspectives within Islamic history and culture.”
Pointing to an article that he wrote in Japanese about Sunni perspectives on Mahdism last year, the researcher said, “I found it fascinating that some Sunni scholars have shown respect for the twelve Shia Imams and have written about their virtues. It was particularly interesting to learn that some Sunnis have provided detailed explanations of Mahdism.”
“In my view, this is crucial for Shia-Sunni relations,” he said, adding, “There has been an exchange of hadiths and teachings between Shia and Sunni scholars on this topic, which is vital for understanding Islam and Mahdism.”
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“In my studies on the history of Islam, particularly regarding the reverence for the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and the twelve Shia Imams, I've observed how they have been respected not only by Shias but also by Sunnis,” he said.
A well-known hadith in Muslim sources likens the Ahl al-Bayt to stars in the sky, guiding Muslims and serving as their leaders. This hadith highlights the significant respect and importance that Muslims, both Shia and Sunni, have for the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), added the Japanese scholar.
Asked about his reference to the Holy Quran during his research, Mizukami said, “My studies go beyond just the religion of Islam itself. I also delve into the works of Shia and Sunni Islamic scholars. A key focus of my research is how these scholars use the Quran to support their views. Whenever I come across a quote from the Quran, I make sure to refer to the text directly and consider the intent behind its use. In the same way, I incorporate the Quran into my research, relying heavily on various translations.”
Tafsir is “essential,” he stressed, adding that by comparing interpretations and translations in both Japanese and English, he has gained a “deeper understanding” of the Quran.
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The researchers said he is particularly interested in the relationship between Shia and Sunni scholars when it comes to writing about the virtues of the Imams.
“Many Japanese and Westerners mistakenly believe that Shia Imams are only significant for Shias; however, the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) hold great importance for all Muslims,” he stressed.
“Unfortunately, non-Muslims often assume that Sunnis and Shias are always in conflict, but the history of Islam shows that their relations have been significant and collaborative,” Mizukami added.
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