“The Higher Self” and Its Educational Role in Preparing the Mahdavi Society

Abstract

The realization of the Mahdavi society, regarded as the ultimate goal of human history, requires both individual and collective readiness across intellectual, moral, and social dimensions. Qur’anic and narrational teachings emphasize that the “Divine Trust” is embodied in the guardianship (wilayah) of the infallible Imams, and accepting this guardianship constitutes the criterion of true faith and the foundation for establishing a universal order of justice. Within this framework, velayatmadari (adherence to divine guardianship) emerges not only as the central element of Shi‘a identity but also as the basis of all other virtues. This article, using a descriptive-analytical approach, examines the essential components required for the formation of a Mahdavi society. The findings reveal that belief in a savior has been common across many religions; however, in Islam, anticipation is defined as an active and responsible stance that demands patience, faith, moral integrity, and intellectual maturity. Moreover, the study underscores the role of parents, families, religious scholars, and Islamic leaders in preparing a generation of believers through modernized transmission of Islamic teachings. Traits such as genuine faith, simplicity, patience, professional competence, Islamic ethics, responsibility, and above all velayatmadari are highlighted as the primary criteria for readiness. In conclusion, the establishment of a Mahdavi society depends on the elevation of human understanding, the cultivation of virtuous leaders and communities, and the unwavering commitment to divine guardianship, all of which require conscious and collective effort.