The majority of Iranians, both inside and outside of Iran, are either not religious or have distanced themselves significantly from Islam. Many have converted to Christianity, while others have abandoned belief in God altogether, becoming atheists. Born in Iran and raised in Germany within an Iranian household connected to the local Iranian community, I understand the intense discomfort associated with Islam and its origins.
Many Iranians in the diaspora have experienced severe trauma—families torn apart or executed, personal abuse, and other forms of cruelty—often accompanied by their oppressors shouting the names “Mohammed, Ali, Fatima,” or “Hassan, Hussain.” This has led to a pervasive negative perception of Islam among Iranians, who feel that their Iranian identity, values, and original religion were forcibly usurped by Arab traditions, beginning with the brutal conquest of Iran by Omar between 642 and 651 AD. Following a period of modernization and westernization that began in the first half of the 20th century, Iran experienced a second Islamic invasion, ironically brought about by the Iranian people themselves and foreign powers in 1979. However, they were betrayed. The scholars who promised to liberate Iran from oppression and establish a “Divine Just State” where basic needs like water, gas, and other essentials would be provided by the state, turned out to be nothing more than a Trojan horse—a bubble that burst as soon as they gained power.
Are they really doing all of this for Mohammed?
After the brutal Arab conquest, many in the Middle East viewed Mohammed's religion as satanic in nature, primarily because the Arab empire forced conversion by the sword and exhibited not a trace of the morals and manners of the Ahlul Bayt in their behavior. It was only with the martyrdom of Imam Hussain that people's hearts began to change, realizing that these oppressors were likely not acting in Mohammed's name. Over time, the Persians' deep-seated resentment towards the Arabs and their conquest led many of them to accept Islam, but only under the Wilayat (guardianship) of Imam Ali. They could relate to the suffering of the family of Mohammed, who were oppressed, killed, and tortured by the Arab rulers. A similar narrative is found in the legend of the Persian hero Kaveh Ahangar, who stood up against the tyranny of Zahhak. The Persian mindset was still heavily influenced by such mythological stories. Therefore, when Islamic prophecies foretold the victory of the household of Mohammed, it provided a glimmer of hope. For the Persians, this hope represented a light at the end of the dark tunnel that Islamic history had painted for the Middle East, giving them something to hold onto.
The West empowered the rulership of the scholars in Iran
In the late 19th century, the British quickly realized that oil would surpass coal as the primary energy source in the long run. They struck a deal with the Iranian king, securing 84% of the oil revenue for themselves, leaving only 16% for Iran. The ruling class at the time, often intoxicated by opium and with little use for oil beyond filling their Aladdin lamps, did not feel threatened by this arrangement, especially given that the Khuzestan region of Iran was practically floating on oil. The British, however, recognized the immense wealth they had gained from this deal and were determined to maintain their income at any cost. To do so, they engaged in a strategy of divide and conquer, manipulating monarchs and politicians to suppress the Iranian people's desire for democracy, which had surfaced several times over the last 100 years of Iran's history.
This democratic aspiration conflicted with the interests of the West, who feared that oil might be nationalized, with its revenues used entirely for national purposes instead of the 50/50 standard split that had finally been negotiated by Iran and the West. This notion was highly unsettling to both the British and the Americans, who saw their interests at risk. The conflict of interest within and outside the country grew, as the Iranian people became increasingly aware of the exploitation of their resources by the West.
However, the Western powers did not relent. The clerics, staunchly opposed to democracy in any form, became increasingly important to Western interests. This led to significant support for Khomeini, who was helped to rise to power with the backing of the West. But once Khomeini became the leader of Iran, he completely reversed his stance, betraying everything he had promised to the Western powers. Unfortunately, it was not just the Westerners who witnessed Khomeini's turnabout; his own people also felt betrayed, as an iron fist came down hard on the Iranians, leaving behind a traumatized nation.
Rulership is for the Scholar? Since when?
After the occultation of the 12th Imam, Mohammed ibn Hassan al-Askari, a period of uncertainty and darkness ensued. The followers of the Ahlul Bayt were left confused, not knowing whom to follow after the Imam's disappearance. In response to this confusion, they developed a concept that has evolved into what is known today as "the guardianship of the scholar" or "Welayat-e Faqih" in Arabic. This concept gained significant prominence in Iran, particularly as it became the basis for the dictatorship of the Grand Ayatollah, who rules the country while claiming he will step aside upon the reappearance of the 12th Imam.
However, the idea of "Welayat-e Faqih" is not unique to Iran; it is a common practice among Shia communities worldwide. Given the absence of a present Imam, but with the understanding that "whoever dies without knowing the Imam of his time will die the death of ignorance," Shia communities have placed their guardianship in the hands of scholars. These scholars are viewed as intermediaries between the community and the 12th Imam, even though none of them have direct contact with him. Nevertheless, rumors persist within the community about certain individuals meeting the 12th Imam behind closed doors.
Anyone who identifies as a Shia is expected to choose a "Marja-i Taqlid" or "source of emulation"—a scholar to emulate to correctly perform religious practices and rites. When asked how to choose a Marja, people often respond, "the most knowledgeable one." This response often leaves people puzzled, as determining who the most knowledgeable scholar is can be a daunting task. Moreover, the belief is widespread that without choosing a Marja, one's acts of worship are not accepted, further reinforcing the idea that "whoever dies without knowing the Imam of his time will die the death of ignorance." Thus, the chosen Marja essentially becomes the Imam of the time for that individual. The real issue arises when this concept leads to the elevation of these scholars to a status akin to that of the 12 Imams. According to hadiths, the only figures whose absence causes all acts to be unaccepted are the 12 Imams. By placing the Marja in such a position, these scholars are elevated to a rank that was traditionally reserved for the Imams, leading to this theological catastrophe.
Imam Hasan Al-Askari (pbuh) narrated that Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq said,“… As for those among the jurisprudents who are guarding themselves, safeguarding their religion, opposing their desire, and obeying their (Mawla) Master, then it is for the common people to imitate them…”
Statements like this are often used to support their position, but the last part of the second statement is usually left out when scholars talk about their own role.
“…. and they (the jurisprudents) are more harmful to the weak ones of our Shia than the army of Yazid was to Hussain son of Ali (pbut) and his companions, or they take away from them their lives and money … And those evil scholars, that claim to be loyal to us and hostile to our enemies, cause doubt and ‘Shubha’ (what seems like the truth) to enter the weak ones of our Shia, so they misguide them and prevent them from reaching the real truth.” – Bihar Al-Anwar, Muhammad Baqir Al-Majlisi, v.2, p.88 – Tafsir Imam Al-Askari (pbuh), p.301
They find very little to forcefully prove and interpret their point, but the opposition has an ocean of narrations.
Abu Dhar said, "I was with the Prophet (pbuh) one day and I heard him saying: "There is something I fear for my Ummah more than the Dajjal." It was then that I became afraid, so I said: "Oh Rasool Allah! Which thing is that?" He (pbuh) said; "Misguided and astray scholars.” [Musnad Ahmad (part 5/ page145) No. 21334 and 21335]
We could go on like this forever, but the reality is that we don't even need to go that far. A simple question like, “Who gave you the authority to elevate yourselves to such positions?” should be enough to shatter this deceiving construct of theirs. If they give themselves titles like “Hujjatullah” (the Proof of Allah) and “Ayatullah Al-Uzma” (the Greater Sign of Allah), which are titles of the noble Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, then they must provide proof for such claims. Not to mention that they have turned Ali’s honored position with Allah into a mere juridical title. In what holy scripture are they mentioned? Where is the command to obey them as our guardians? When did the Ahlul Bayt ever mention that these scholars would own a country to be handed over to the 12th Imam upon his reappearance? In what divine narration do we find that the scholars are the ultimate authority in religion, without being accompanied by a prophet or messenger to serve as the living source of their faith? The absolute audacity was displayed by the first Supreme Leader of Iran, who stated, “Preserving the Islamic Republic is more important than preserving a single individual, even if that individual is the Imam of the Time.”
This bold and baseless statement implies that they would even disregard the 12th Imam for the sake of preserving their state, effectively placing restrictions on Imam Mahdi by suggesting he must accept their state and keep it intact, or else he is deemed useless for the Islamic world. But what if Imam Mahdi intends to destroy and wipe out the current system of Iran? This line of reasoning leads to the rejection of anyone who claims to be the Mahdi unless he emerges from their own ranks. And when questioned, they claim there is still a long time before his reappearance. This is a shameless act of degrading the Ahl ul-Bayt to a powerless position. No matter how many Iranian-produced weapons they name Khaybar, Zulfiqar, Moharram, or Qaim, it doesn't change the fact that they only express loyalty to the 12th Imam if it aligns with their interests.
The saying of Imam Ali, “You know well that I am more deserving of the caliphate than anyone else. By God, as long as the affairs of the Muslims remain in order and there is no oppression except to myself, I will continue to show patience,” is prominently displayed on Khomeini’s homepage, with the attribution misleadingly applied to himself. For Khomeini’s followers who audaciously place this corrupt figure—who even condoned the fondling of children in his teachings—on the same level as Imam Ali, here’s a lesson: The caliphate is granted either directly by Allah or through the will or prophecy of a messenger. In reality, Khomeini oppressed and unjustly killed many people, driving countless Iranians, both inside and outside of Iran, away from Islam, leaving them with nothing but hatred for anything associated with the religion. While the state of Iran claims a caliphate, albeit without explicitly using the term, it fails to uphold the true essence of what it represents.
A Holy Money Printing Machinery
The scholars of Iran contribute nothing but traditional practices, storytelling, fatwa issuance (formal rulings or interpretations on points of Islamic law), instructions on how to pray, guidelines for fasting during Ramadan, and, notably, the collection of Khums (a fifth of every Muslim's income, unless they are poor, which must be paid to the state of Islam) and Zakat (a specific portion of wealth donated annually to charitable causes). These money-hungry scholars did not come to better the world as the prophets and messengers did. They claim to reserve a portion of the collected money for the reappearance of the 12th Imam, while in the meantime, they take what they need for their own lives and distribute the little that is left to poor believers and the state. Anyone familiar with how these scholars live and the conditions of the countries they reside in should recognize this claim as a lie. If they were truly representatives of the 12th Imam, they would establish a divine, just state; yet, all we see from them is oppression.
Currently, there are about 50 Marja-i Taqlid in the world, with the most prominent being Ali Khamenei and Ali Sistani—one leading Iran and the other leading the Shia in Iraq, with followers worldwide. A well-known Iranian documentary series, released 14 years ago by Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf, contains leaked information from an employee in Khamenei’s household. It details the daily routine of this powerful Marja, along with his preferences for food and luxurious activities. He owns 100 horses valued at 40 million dollars, with special cabins made to transport them by airplane. Caviar from the Caspian Sea, ring-necked pheasant meat from Shiraz, ostrich meat, and quail meat frequently appear on his dinner table. He has a pipe collection of 200, worth 2 million dollars, with the most expensive costing 250,000 dollars. He also owns 300 rings, with the most expensive valued at 500,000 dollars, and a collection of 170 walking sticks, many of them antiquities, altogether estimated at 1.2 million dollars. The list goes on, including costly evacuation plans, an entourage of paid doctors following him everywhere, and an underground clinic beneath his house. He even has a personal comedian and poets.
He has a collection of 120 robes that are nothing more than costumes resembling Prophet Muhammad's outfit, worth $400,000, with the most expensive one costing $30,000.
Does this sound like someone who represents Prophet Muhammad in our time? Sistani, on the other hand, is a reclusive figure, almost to the point of complete withdrawal from public life. This only fuels the rumors surrounding him, giving him an air of mysticism and suggesting ties to the 12th Imam. I have never even heard his voice. Yet, he was the driving force behind the elections in Iraq, having his followers vote for the current ruling party—a completely un-Islamic process and, from a Shia perspective, entirely haram.
Sistani wields significant influence over the Shia community in Iraq, the largest religious group in the country. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy published a paper in 2006 titled "The Last Marja," which stated: "The most accurate estimates of Sistani’s wealth indicate his annual income is between $500 million and $700 million, and his worldwide assets exceed $3 billion." How can a religious leader live like that when, according to the Planning Ministry, "25% of Iraqis—11 million people—live below the poverty line," as reported by "The Media Line"? When have you ever heard of religious authority being divided among 50 men, none of whom can truly claim superiority because they lack contact with the true leader of their faith? Where they differ in jurisprudence? Where someone can only reach this position after attaining a certain age, scholarly degree, and with the consent of others who have already reached this status? In this corrupt system, whoever has more followers earns more money and rises in rank within the Shia world. As a good friend of mine once said, “Even the Mafia works for their money, but these guys do absolutely nothing and earn enormous amounts.”
On top of that, regular scholars receive a salary from the state of Iran—not just the scholars from Iran but also imported students and scholars who come to promote their cause—while the rest of the country drowns in poverty. Another significant income source is the shrines of the Imams and their family members, where believers go on pilgrimage and donate money for good luck and the acceptance of their prayers. Where does this money go? Nobody really knows. But it’s likely spent on the lavish decoration of the shrines, so that pilgrims are awed by the beauty and continue to visit—and, of course, on the scholars of Islam. The shrine of Imam Ridha in Mashhad, in particular, generates revenue of $571 million a year solely from pilgrims' spending. They tell people to come to the shrines to request intercession from the Imams if they are sick, hoping to be cured of their diseases. However, when they are sick themselves, they seek out the best doctors, regardless of the cost.
Considering the dire conditions in Iran and Iraq, where people struggle to meet their basic needs, it’s sickening to think that these states profit so much off the backs of the most generous and self-sacrificing individuals who ever lived. Throughout Iran, they’ve built small shrines for the family members of the household of Muhammad, where people also donate their money to a “divine” cause. And let's not forget the grandiose shrine they built for Iran's first leader, Khomeini. The hypocrisy continues with the establishment of agencies, hotels, and scholarly approval of prostitution around the shrines of the Imams in the name of Islamic temporary marriage (Mut'ah). This has led to the city of Mashhad, where the shrine of the 8th Imam is located, being nicknamed the “Thailand of the Middle East.” They even built an enormous waterpark for the entertainment of pilgrims and sex tourists. The establishment of such things costs enormous amounts of money, yet there doesn’t seem to be enough for the poor.
Extreme Shame on Those Who Should Know Better
Lacking steadfast proof for their position, these people resort to speaking ill of the members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, despite the overwhelming evidence in the narrations. The recognition of Ahmad Al Hassan as the Yamani and Aba Al-Sadiq as the Qaim is so well-supported that it could fill an entire book. The divine appointment through the will of Prophet Mohammed, the knowledge capable of transforming the world into a paradise, and the banner of "Allegiance is to God" should be enough to believe. Instead, these people should take a hard look at their own countries, particularly Iran, which suffers from the highest drug addiction rate on the planet, with drugs flooding the streets, the highest inflation rate in the world, and the highest rate of people converting to other religions among Muslim countries. This is all due to the evil actions of their leaders, who are wolves in sheep’s clothing, daily confronted with the reality of Ahlul Bayt, where one would argue that they should know better than what their hands bring forward. These leaders have caused wars across the Middle East, destroyed lives, and left their own people hungry while funneling billions into weaponry and their own pockets. They have learned nothing from the Ahlul Bayt and have never truly loved them. If they had, their actions would speak louder than their words. Claiming to be followers of the Ahlul Bayt comes with responsibilities, the first of which is compassion and care for your fellow human beings. From speaking with all types of Iranians—whether peace-loving, intellectual, or human rights activists—everyone says the same thing: “There is no negotiating with this gang of scholars; the only way to rid ourselves of them is by force.”
Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "When the Qa'im (the Mahdi) rises, there will be nothing between him and the Arabs and the Persians except the sword; he will take it by the sword and give it by the sword.” (Bihar Al Anwar - Alamah Almajlisi - V.52 - P.389)
Imam Ahmad Al Hassan (pbuh) said:“Have you asked the family of the Prophet about the scholars of the end times before you ask the scholars of the end times about the family of the Prophet?”
why did u remove previous comments !?
This article highlights a crucial point: Iran’s policies and actions should not be confused with the teachings or narrative of Imam Mahdi.
You know they murdered X and tried to blame it on islam