Is there decisive evidence that Al-Mahdi’s name is Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdullah or Muhammad? Could his name be Abu Al-Qaasim, Mustafa or any other name of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam? What is the authenticity of the Hadeeth that states that his name will be like the name of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and his father’s name will be like that of the Prophet’s, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

It is obligatory to believe in Al-Mahdi and that he will emerge at the end of time. According to many prophetic narrations, his name and his father’s name will be like those of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.  

Please note that Al-Mahdi will have the explicit name of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, not his epithet such as Abu Al-Qaasim. Also, he will not have his titles such as Al-‘Aaqib, Al-Haashir or Al-Maahi.