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In Persia, a Muslim known as Shaykh Ahmad (AD 1753-1834) founded a movement based on the conviction that Islam had become so corrupt that no reform could restore it to its original purpose. Rather, he taught, the 'Judgement Day' prophesied in the Scriptures of Islam was approaching. This judgement would be ushered in by God, who would send the long expected 'Mahdi' (Arabic, meaning 'the Guided One') to renew the Faith of God. After Shaykh Ahmad died, these beliefs were carried on by his successor, Siyyid Kazim, who, as he approached his own death in 1843, directed his followers to wait no longer, but rather to search out the expected Deliverer.
(14:2)
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