Op-Ed: Why Every Muslim Should Believe In This Religion

Amid the chaotic noise that dominates the world—touching every aspect of life—there is hardly a place on earth untouched by rampant disorder, ignorance, corruption, and injustice. In the absence of divine justice and the frantic chase after human-made solutions, hoping for salvation, peace, and stability, we find ourselves sinking deeper and deeper into a vast mire of darkness and oppression.

We are utterly incapable of saving ourselves, lost and floundering through countless attempts, only to reap the bitter fruits of our misguided choices. But amidst all this, a voice echoes in our ears and penetrates our minds, urging every rational and aware individual to pause and ask: Where is God in all of this?!

Should we not stop wandering aimlessly and instead listen to God’s voice and His plan? Where does it manifest on earth? Isn’t it time to acknowledge and admit our failure to govern this world toward balance, justice, and peace? Isn’t it time to reflect on why we are in such loss and confusion? Have we ever asked ourselves what we did or what we neglected that led us to this miserable state?

We were created in this world to know God. That is the fundamental purpose of our creation. So every person today should stand before themselves and ask: Have I fulfilled the purpose for which I was created? Have I truly known God, and worshipped Him as He wants to be worshipped, not as I want? Have I followed God’s plan to reach the purpose of knowing Him?

When God set the purpose of our creation—to know Him—He also laid out a plan to reach that purpose. He did not leave us lost, without guidance. He gave us messengers, and commanded us to obey them so we could walk in God's path and reach the goal. As He said in the Holy Book:

“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you…” (Surah An-Nisa, Verse 59)

Have we also asked ourselves: Did we truly follow God’s messengers, who came to guide us to the path of Allah? Or did we turn away from them, rebel against them, and consider ourselves more knowledgeable, wiser, and more rightly guided than them—relying on our own understanding and walking alone on crooked paths far from God’s plan?

Throughout human history—from Adam until today—the message of all prophets and messengers has been monotheism and establishing God's justice, through the divine state of the sons of Adam, the state of divine justice. This very mission is why all prophets and messengers were killed—because they stood up to the tyrants who sat on thrones of power.

So the matter is not just spiritual with the prophets—it is a battle of thrones. On one side, there is God's throne represented by His chosen successors—those whom God has appointed to rule and manage human affairs. On the other side, there is the usurper, the one who rebelled against God's will: Iblis (Satan), who refused God's choice of Adam as a divinely appointed ruler. Iblis said:

"I am better than him. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay."

Thus, the first sin of creation was envy and arrogance. And so began the journey of humanity: God sends prophets, and Iblis kills them, trying to prove he is more deserving of leadership. Iblis asked God for a reprieve to prove his point:

“He said: My Lord, then give me respite until the Day they are resurrected. He said: So indeed, you are of those reprieved until the Day of the known time.” (Surah Sad, Verses 79–80)

But have we ever asked ourselves—or asked the Ahlulbayt —what is the “known time”?

In truth, they have answered in many narrations. Among them, a narration from Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq, who said:

“The ‘appointed time’ is the day of the rising of the Qa’im. When God sends him forth, he will be in the Mosque of Kufa. Iblis will say: Woe to me from this day! Then he will begin to wander the earth. The path will be closed to him. He will go to some of his followers who will say: What is the matter with you? You have destroyed the people! He will reply: That man has emerged. Then God, the Almighty, will send the companions of the Qa’im, and they will seize him. He will be brought to the rock (al-Safa) and his neck will be struck there.”

So the “appointed time” is the Day of the Rise of the Qa’im

But have we asked Muhammad and the family of Muhammad: How do we recognize the Qa’im, the one who will kill Iblis at the end of time?

Yes, they have also answered that with many narrations. Among them is one from Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq , who said:

“The one in charge of this matter is known by three characteristics which are not found in anyone else: he is the first to call to the will (wasiyyah), he will have with him the weapon of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and with him will be tranquility and dignity.” (Basa’ir al-Darajat by Shaykh Muhammad ibn al-Saffar, p. 202)

Therefore, the divine law of recognizing the Qa’im is clear: He must bring the divine identifiers of the proof (hujjah): the Will, the Banner, and knowledge of profound matters.

So this claimant to the matter must possess these qualities. Perhaps any one of us might ask another question: Who will safeguard this matter for us? And how can we be sure that a false claimant won't come forward? After all, we see many today who claim, "I am the Mahdi in this time!"

Here again, we return to the family of Muhammad, and we verify once more: Is there a guarantee from you for the true claimant? That no liar will come forward using the same evidence and the same divine law?

The answer: Yes, certainly there is.

Because the matter of succession and rulership is one of the most critical issues that God has taken special care to preserve, as have the prophets and messengers, since the ultimate purpose of our creation can only be fulfilled through God's appointed rulers.

So what did the Ahlulbayt say on this matter? Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq said:

"The will (testament) is protection from misguidance; no one claims it except its rightful owner, and if someone else does, God will cut his life short." (Al-Kafi by Al-Kulayni, vol. 1, p. 372)

Therefore, God has guaranteed the preservation of this matter. A liar cannot come forward with such a claim and be allowed by God to mislead the people. This is unlikely, for if such a liar were to arise and claim this matter falsely, it is God Himself who has taken responsibility to shorten his life and relieve us of him.

Look at how much God cares for the preservation of this matter. He has spared us the worry, the doubt, and the fear of what to do if a liar arises — He says, don't worry, I will deal with him, I will cut off his life. So what excuse remains for us before God, His Messenger, and His chosen ones?

God has defined for us the purpose of our creation. He has outlined the path we must follow to reach that goal. He has appointed for us the Messenger, the guide, and the leader on that path. He has preserved the guides and the Mahdis for this path. And He has guaranteed that if we hold firmly to this path, we will not go astray and we will reach God.

So what are we waiting for? What are we afraid of? What obstacle stands in your way today after believing in the one who claims this matter through divine law?

Don't you ask yourself: If all the signs of the appearance of the Qa’im have been fulfilled, and if all the evidences the Ahlulbayt told us would indicate him have been presented — and if we truly believe in God and in Muhammad and are holding firmly to their words and their path — What then do we fear in following him?

Do we not trust that we are among the sincere? Did not God Almighty say in His Holy Qur’an, quoting Iblis:

"By Your might, I will surely mislead them all — except Your sincere servants among them." (Surah Sad: 82–83)

Do you doubt yourself, thinking you are not sincere, and fear going astray? Do you not believe deep down that you truly desire God?

Answer this between you and God, and be honest with yourself.

Today, the Qa’im of the family of Muhammad, Abdullah Hashem Aba al-Sadiq, has come forward, presenting the will, the banner, and the knowledge — just as Muhammad and the family of Muhammad foretold. So what excuse remains for not believing and affirming? We leave the answer to you — between yourself and God.

And for everyone who like more evidence, we present the most important evidence of this call in video format: