Mahd

Mahd is a term used in several languages and contexts. In many cases it is a transliteration variant of Mahdi, the title given in Islamic tradition to a prophesied guided one. The Mahdi is a central figure in Islamic eschatology, expected to appear before the Day of Judgment to restore justice and true faith. Beliefs about the Mahdi differ between traditions. In Twelver Shia Islam, Muhammad al-Mahdi is the twelfth Imam who is believed to be in occultation and will reappear at an appointed time. In many Sunni traditions, the Mahdi is a future Muslim leader who will emerge before the end of the world; descriptions and criteria vary among scholars and communities, and there is no single universally accepted account.

Beyond religious usage, Mahd is employed as a given name or surname in Arabic- and Persian-speaking communities. As a personal name it is often associated with the concept of guidance or leadership expressed by the Mahdi, though individuals may bear the name for family, cultural, or aesthetic reasons. The spelling Mahd may appear alongside Mahdi or other variants in English-language texts, reflecting transliteration differences from Arabic and related languages.

Because of transliteration and regional pronunciation, other spellings such as Mahdi, Mahdy, or Madd may be encountered, though Mahdi remains the most common form in contemporary usage. The term appears in encyclopedic, religious, and onomastic discussions, as well as in naming databases and literature on Islamic thought.