One of the verses that has been applied in certain interpretations and narrations to the ultimate rule of the righteous over the earth and to Mahdism is the fifth verse of Surah Al-Qasas, commonly known as the "Verse of Istid'āf" (the Verse of the Oppressed). The present research, employing a descriptive-analytical method and drawing upon exegetical and narrative sources, seeks to address how this verse indicates the rule of the oppressed and the advent of the global government of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance), as well as the differences observed between Shia and Sunni approaches in this regard. Discussing this topic is essential because elucidating the Quranic foundations of Mahdism can provide an epistemological basis for a correct understanding of expectation (intizār) and religious futurology. Naturally, the verse in question must be examined at three methodological levels: first, the interpretation (tafsir) of the verse within the context of the Quranic narrative and the story of the Children of Israel; second, its esoteric interpretation (ta'wil) in light of exegetical narrations; and finally, its analysis based on the principle of jary (ongoing applicability) and tatbīq (application to new instances). The findings of the research indicate that the Verse of Istid'āf, in addition to its historical meaning, constitutes one of the important Quranic foundations for explaining the doctrine of Mahdism and the global government of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance), as well as the inheritance of the earth by the righteous as the most complete instance of the realization of divine tradition in human history. This is a matter that, unfortunately, most Sunni commentators have overlooked, largely confining the verse to its historical framework.