The Sunni Mahdi's reaction is closer to Imam Ali's (as) reaction than the Shia Mahdi

On answering ansaar the team has differentiated the Shia Mahdi from the Sunni Mahdi. I will provide evidence that the Sunni Mahdi is closer in character to Imam Ali (as) as opposed to the 12r Shia expectation of the Mahdi.

Shia belief:

Allah (swt) has kept the Imam (as) in occultation for the reasons and time period known to Him (swt) only.
When Allah (swt) deems it an appropriate time for His (as) reappearance (the time when he (as) is required the most), He (swt) will make him (as) rise and his (as) loyal supporters waiting for him (as) will swear their allegiance to him (as) and then the campaign will just begin without ifs and buts.


Sunni belief:

The time Imam Mahdi (as) is required the most, he would flee away from a city to another disassociating him from the disagreement and in pursuit of shelter and hence shall hide behind the curtain of the Kaaba.
It is the people who shall bring him out against his will from the place wherein he shall be hiding.
They will threaten to kill him and forcefully swear their allegiance to him.
http://www.answering-ansar.org/answers/mahdi/en/chap9.php

Now let us compare this event to when Imam Ali (as) was wanted as calipah and the Muslims wanted to give him bayah.

Below is the condition which was presented to Imam Ali (as) during the time of calipate.

When people decided to Swear allegiance[1] at Amir al-mu'minin's hand after the murder of `Uthman, he said:
Leave me and seek some one else. We are facing a matter which has (several) faces and colours, which neither hearts can stand nor intelligence can accept. Clouds are hovering over the sky, and faces are not discernible. You should know that if I respond to you I would lead you as I know and would not care about whatever one may say or abuse. If you leave me then I am the same as you are. It is possible I would listen to and obey whomever you make in charge of your affairs. I am better for you as a counsellor than as chief.

(Najh al Balagha, Sermon 92)

Likewise, the Sunni Mahdi will also be presented in a similar situation, which will cause him to initially refuse the position of external Waliyah.


As for the threat it is just the love the Muslims have for the Mahdi. When Imam Hussain (as) was going to Kufa, Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra) said it would be better if I killed you now, instead of letting you go.