Al-Mahdi Muhammad bin Ahmed (October 27, 1637 – August 2, 1718), also known as Ṣāḥib al-Mawāhib,[1] was an Imam of Yemen who ruled in 1689–1718.
[2] He belonged to the Qasimid family that was descended from the Islamic prophet Muhammad and dominated the Zaidi imamate in 1597–1962.
[3] Al-Mahdi Muhammad was known to Zaidi historiography as a tough and arbitrary ruler who was unwilling to listen to advice.
His arbitrary killings of subjects gave rise to popular beliefs that his evil actions were influenced by a jinn.
He displayed very little pomp except when going to the Friday prayer; then he would be accompanied by 1,000 foot soldiers and 200 horsemen, together with mounted officers of the household and court.
[8] Towards the end of al-Mahdi Muhammad's reign several persons rose and claimed the imamate, as a consequence of his highhanded governance and abuse of the laws.
In 1716 al-Mansur al-Husayn rebelled against al-Mahdi Muhammad and set forth his claim (da'wah) as king of the northern tribes in the strong fortress Shaharah.
At that time, towns and villages in the outlying regions of Sana'a were attacked by hordes of pillaging armies from the north.