How does Imam Mahdi judge?

Based on Shiite traditions, his judgments are similar to those of Prophet Dawood. The Holy Prophet (S) states:

انما اقضی بینکم بالبینات و الایمان و بعضکم الحن بحجته من بعض و ایما رجل قطعت له قطعه فانما اقطع له قطعه من نار

He is abler than others in terms of presenting formal arguments….1

To explain it, it has to be said that whenever two people disputed on something they would go before the Holy Prophet (S). The Holy Prophet (S) would ask the complainant to offer his evidence. If he offered reliable evidence the Holy Prophet would take that thing (on which they were disputing) from the accused and gave it to him.

In other words, the Holy Prophet’s judgments were based on formal arguments and outward evidence. That is why the Holy Prophet himself says that his judgments are based exclusively on formal arguments and evidence. He adds that if the complainant’s arguments are false he must make sure that what he earns through such arguments is Hell’s fire.

In other words, the Holy Prophet wants to say that he is duty bound to judge on the basis of formal argument and evidence. (To judge on such basis is not immune from errors). Thus if the complainant knows that he is not right he must not proceed further.

Thus Islamic judgments whether at the time of the Holy Prophet or after him were passed on the basis of formal and conventional rules and regulations and these rules and regulations were nothing more than formal arguments and evidence.

After reappearing, Imam Mahdi will not however judge on the basis of such rules and regulations. He will instead judge on the basis realities on the ground (for Allah helps him know the realities sooner than others).

For example, if he observes that (a) belongs to (x) but (y) claims that he owes it, he will take (a) from (y) and give it (x) (without following the formal procedures). Similarly if he observes that (x) has unjustly occupied (a), he will order him to evacuate it and submit it to its owner, even though (x) has strong formal arguments acceptable at courts.

In other words, Imam acts in accordance with realities rather than conventional rules and regulations. (It is on the basis of such a procedure that) he can quickly return all rights back to their owners.