Why the Rising of Imām al-Mahdi is Called " Sending" in the Traditions of the Two Sects

Looking at the traditions about Imām al-Mahdi¡ peace be upon him¡ in the Sunni and Shii books one can see one common tern that is used for the appearance of Imām al-Mahdi ¡ peace be upon him¡ which has a religious significant meaning. The term “Sending” which is used for him in many Prophetic traditions is precisely the same term which is used by people only for divine Prophets and their deputies. Besides¡ in the speech of the Prophet¡ peace be upon him and his household¡ it is mentioned that Allah will send Imām al-Mahdi¡ peace be upon him¡ and he will be definitely sent at the end of time. These are issues which are only compatible with Shii dogmas on the Immaculate Imāms¡ peace be upon them¡ and the last of them¡ Imām al-Mahdi and his occultation and appearance. This article which is a descriptive-analytic research finally concludes that on the basis of of traditions reported from the Imāms there are many similarities between the sending of the last Imām and other divine Prophets. The article refers to 23 cases of similarity between the Imām al-Mahdi and other divine Prophets.