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According to a report in 2024 by Human Rights Watch: “Violence against women and girls—including rape, murder, acid attacks, domestic violence, denial of education, sexual harassment at work, and child and forced marriage—is a serious problem throughout Pakistan. Human rights defenders estimate that roughly 1,000 women are murdered in so-called 'honor killings' every year.” Pakistan is among many other countries that are notorious for being against basic human rights for women. But why is this the case? We don’t have to look too far to identify the root of this mentality. The state of mind that creates a dark, sinister world for women and for the vulnerable in a country like Pakistan is not hiding itself from us. It’s quite clear and openly stated. There is a weapon that scholars call “religion,” and they use this weapon to convince the masses that God is calling for extremist and authoritarian ideas. Ideas that suppress and oppress. A state of mind that can ensure that society is frightened of thinking for itself. Religion in Pakistan and countries like Pakistan is given the blanket term of “Islam.” However, where this “Islam” comes from, and which of its teachings are truly authentic and from the source of God Himself, remains unanswered. What constitutes being a “good Muslim”? The answer to that question really depends on which part of the world you are from. Mainstream religion and culture have become irrevocably intertwined. So what if you were a woman in Pakistan, and you identify as Muslim? What is expected from you? As a woman who grew up there, I can vouch for the fact that being a good Muslim woman equals doing what you are told by men. The entirety of religion as a Muslim woman in Pakistan is centered around this odd jurisprudential law. Not only that, but the religiosity of a woman in a country like Pakistan has a great deal to do with her modesty and how well she knows her “place” on the social ladder. Does she cover herself? How well does she cover herself? Is she silent when told to be silent, obedient when given commands? It’s clear that this mindset and these supposedly righteous, moral, and religious ideas are not aligning with a modern-day understanding regarding gender equality. While the believers in the Riser Aba Al-Sadiq are steadfast in our commitment to good family values and the rights and duties of men and women toward each other, we also hold that cooperation between individuals of all kinds in society is the only way to prosperity and being true believers. We uphold the saying of Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan: “ There is no difference between a believing man and a believing woman, except by piety. ” Faith is the only determining factor of a person’s rank with God. Gender is decidedly not. An Interesting Debate We here at AROPL Studios often find ourselves in debates with people of different schools of thought . One of the interesting incidents that we experienced was the debate that was held between ourselves and the scholar Hassan Allahyari . Known for his heated debates in Pakistan’s national language, Urdu, with scholars of the Sunni Muslim sect, Hassan Allahyari has gained a reputation in the Twelver Shia world. We decided to take on the challenge of the debate and set it clearly that the topic would be “How do we identify the Mahdi in the age of his appearance?” We had clarified that this debate would be broadcast on our satellite channel, live, which broadcasts to the continents of Africa and Europe. Simultaneously, it was being broadcast on Neo News, a news channel in Pakistan that owns the most widely read Urdu newspaper in the country, Jang. We had been informed by a moderator and representative of Allahyari that the debate could take place on a certain day. We were given the time it would be held. This was a significant moment for myself, as being a believer in the Riser Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, I have had the privilege and the honor of learning from him. It is with that knowledge that we acquire from him that we go out into the world and discuss religion with other schools of thought, eager for dialogue and finding common ground. We also are open to any challenges of debates that come our way and have engaged in debates with several scholars on multiple occasions. Having ensured that everything was prepared and in check for our pre-planned debate, I braced myself for the conversation. What ensued was far from what had been promised. The first thing that seemed to stun the room at my entry was the mere fact that I am a woman. The conversation then began... Moderator 1: Ok, there is some lady sitting here, but she’s not wearing a hijab. Please tell Allahyari that she is here, Mr. Qalandar, but she’s not covering her hair. Moderator 2: Mr. Sheikh, they are saying there’s a woman here, but she’s not wearing a hijab. Shall we accept her, or shall we not allow her in? Allahyari: Yeah, let’s just take her. Doesn’t matter. I won’t look at the screen. Go on, then. Where is she? Moderator 2: There’s some Ahmadi UK network. I think they are Ahmadi. Me: Yes, peace be upon you. Can you hear my voice? Moderator 2: Yes. Can you cover your face? Can you cover your head? Allahyari: No, leave her. They say they have an Imam. Does she know Urdu?! We won’t give them any of our time! Their Imam—tell their Imam to read the Quran, a page of the Quran. Me: Peace be upon you, Mr. Hassan Allahyari. How are you? Allahyari: If he comes to me, he has to read a page of the Quran. He says he is Imam Mahdi. He says he is the Imam Mahdi. Hahaha. A fraud of the first degree. Me: Yes, first I have to confirm—are you referring to myself? Allahyari: He doesn’t even know how to read the Quran. Why would we give him time? Moderator 2: Yes, we are referring to you. Allahyari: We are saying you have an Imam, so don’t send these wenches to us. I’m not speaking to a wench. Me: Peace be upon you, brother. How are you? Allahyari: I’m not speaking to a girl. Tell your Imam to come. We will respect him; we want to hear him and see if he can read the Quran. Is your Imam there? Is that so wrong? Me: Yes, and we are willing to hear your side as well. Allahyari: Can he even read the Quran? Surely the successor of the Messenger of Allah can read the Quran, can’t he? Me: If you could give me a bit of an opportunity so I can get a word in, please. Moderator 2: Yes, sure, bring him on the camera. Me: Or will it be the case that you will keep speaking over me? Allahyari: Yes, if their Imam is present…I know their Imam—I mean, that’s why he’s sending girls here, right? Send another man here; I will speak to another representative. And if their Imam is present, we all want to speak with their Imam. Me: Mr. Hassan Allahyari, let’s not be misogynistic. Allahyari: We will ask him a few questions. First, we will have him read the Quran to us. Me: Let’s not be sexist, brother. If you want to speak, then let’s speak. You say you are a scholar and an aalim; you say that you are here to guide the people. If you see me as misguided, then guide me, please. Moderator 2: Child, let him come to the camera, and I will give him the chance to talk. Allahyari: Ok, ok, fine. He doesn’t know how to read the Quran by memory? Let him read it from the book, then. Moderator 2: We will hold and wait for you. Allahyari: Yes, isn’t that right? Isn’t it? Moderator 2: Bring your Imam to the camera. Allahyari: Tell him to come. If he doesn’t have time, we will wait—a week, a month, two months. If he wants to sit there and not answer our questions, anyone can do that. An Imam has to read the Quran and answer questions. If she knows, and she knows Urdu, then tell her to tell her Imam that Allahyari is waiting for you…hahaha…you come, and Allahyari will respect you, and we will only speak to him. If you have an Imam, we will only speak with him. If you don’t have an Imam, and he has died, then that’s that, then. While the Imam is with them, tell him to come himself. Tell them to send their leader. Mr. Allahyari was clearly exhibiting disdain towards the fact that I had come to debate him. He had no desire to speak to me, attesting that it was because I was a woman. At their request, I decided to comply and cover my hair, as it’s of no consequence to myself, and the principle of our faith is a worthier conversation to have. A wardrobe choice should not be the obstacle to that. Regardless of my compliance to then wear a headscarf, the scholar rejected my request to continue our pre-planned debate. He spoke underminingly. He was clearly offensive, talking over my words, and even ignored my request that, if he refused to debate, could he at the very least try to guide me to the truth. And ultimately, out of clear fear of debating with a disciple of the Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq, he covered his panic in the veil of misogyny and ran away. As shameful as his behavior was, Allahyari’s actions are not surprising. They are a clear indication of a corrupted Islam—an obvious show of misogyny, sugar-coated by so-called “religious morality.” The problem we are finding here is not the disease—rather, it is a symptom. It is quite clearly a chauvinistic, misogynistic view of women, and a symptomatic result of centuries of scholars that usurped the throne of men sent by God. It is a society that is ruled by Pharisees and rabbis—not by Jesus Christ, who excused the adulteress and instead pointed his finger at the fallible scholar who was audacious enough to think he could place a judgment. It is a society run by Abu Bakr and Omar, one where slave girls were beaten with batons until they were forced into exposing their chests, seen as sub-human and without the right to cover. Not the society of Mohammed, who stood for the rights of women from all classes of society to cover their chests, and upheld humane teachings, forcing men of the era to no longer consider them inferior creatures, but rather companions and partners. This is the society of the coward Yazid, the son of Muawiya, who commanded his soldiers to rip the veils off the women of the household of Mohammed, and had them set fire to the little daughter of the martyred Imam Husain. This is not the society of Husain, whose sister and mother were both renowned for never bowing their heads to the tyrant and were known for their courage in the face of all adversity, and their immortal sermons delivered in public arenas against men who sought to humiliate them, yet they never buckled. In today’s society, religion, morality, and righteousness are all received by the people from that usual suspect—the non-working scholars and the likes of Allahyari. Scholars who decide what is good or bad. What we must think, and how we must be. Yet they do so with no authority from God, while stealing the right to rule from the man appointed by God—the Qaim Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq. Is it a wonder that societies ruled by scholars of mainstream institutions of religion are so backward and immoral? In the society of the Qaim Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, women are free. Free to live with honor and dignity. Free to oppose inauthentic religion. Religion that tells them, cover your hair, even if the Quran doesn’t tell you to. Women in this society are able to challenge themselves to be what they were created to be—the best of daughters, the best of wives, of mothers and sisters, and the best of supporters, who live life with every opportunity a man can have. And with dignity granted to us, and safety of honor, reputation, and status, we are achieving so much more than we ever could have without our Imam. A state will be built by our hands, and the children we birth will see the fruit of our sacrifice and our work, as they live in a world where nobody can tell them they are inferior or worthy of abuse. Our sons and our daughters will live in the world created for them by the Riser Aba Al-Sadiq. A paradise, on earth as it is in heaven. And as for Allahyari, it is unfortunate he behaved this way. History will write of what we do, and he will be remembered as the so-called scholar who could not bring himself to speak to a female disciple of the Qaim. He will be written as someone who was worse than the tyrants Abu Bakr and Yazid, who, even though they also usurped the throne of God, at least allowed Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Mohammed, and Zainab, his granddaughter, a platform to speak on. Allahyari had the opportunity to debate with us. Our doors are still open, and he and all scholars are invited to engage in dialogue with us—regardless of gender.

Part 3 of the Angels and Aliens Series Throughout various religious and mythological systems, Lucifer , also known as the devil, plays a significant and recurring role. Depicted as a fallen angel, a deceiver, and the ultimate nemesis of humanity, he appears in many forms, from the serpent in the Garden of Eden  to the Iblis  of Islamic tradition. But what if these stories, these scriptures, were pointing to something far more complex than a simple figure of evil? What if Lucifer, Iblis, and their demonic legions are not just characters of myth but represent non-human entities  controlling and manipulating the physical world—possibly the very architects of the reality we live in? The Devil as the Architect of the Material World A fascinating interpretation of Iblis  in some Gnostic and esoteric traditions is that he is not merely the tempter or the enemy of humanity but the creator of the material world . From the words of Aba Al-Sadiq: "Iblis created the physical world, and the physical world is divided into the children of light and the children of darkness. The children of Adam (PBUH) and the children of Iblis. Since this realm that we are in is the realm of darkness in which light is trapped, it is our mission to save as much light in it as possible, in order that it may return to its source." (The Goal of The Wise, Aba Al-Sadiq, Door 15, ‘Light and Darkness’, p. 196) In this view, the devil becomes the father of our physical existence—a "simulation”. This interpretation aligns with Manichaean  beliefs and certain Gnostic  sects that describe the physical universe as a realm of darkness, created by an evil entity to trap the light, or the divine spark, within humanity. In this framework, the devil—or Iblis—constructed the physical world to entrap the souls of humans. He is not just a fallen angel but the ruler of a simulated reality, designed to deceive and distract us from the true spiritual reality. This aligns with a broader esoteric belief that our world is illusory, a carefully crafted simulation  meant to keep us from discovering our divine nature. In Gnostic cosmology , the Archons  are the rulers of this material world. The word "Archon" means "ruler" or "lord," and these beings are described as malevolent entities that act as the gatekeepers of the physical universe. According to the Nag Hammadi texts, the Archons created a "bad copy" of the original divine realm—essentially a flawed, corrupted simulation of true reality. What's striking about the Archons is how they are often depicted in forms reminiscent of modern extraterrestrial  entities. Some Gnostic descriptions of Archons portray them as reptilian  or dragon-like  beings, while others liken them to what we now know as grey aliens . The idea that these beings might be the creators or overseers of a grand cosmic simulation ties into both ancient religious texts and modern-day theories about the nature of reality. These Archons , much like the Reptilians  and greys  spoken of in UFO lore, are said to feed off human energy, keeping humanity in a perpetual state of ignorance and confusion. Their goal is to prevent humans from realizing their true spiritual potential and escaping the confines of the material world, or the simulation  they’ve created. The World as an Illusion Religious scriptures across many traditions repeatedly emphasize that this world is a deception . In 1 John 5:19 , the Bible says, " the whole world is under the control of the evil one. " Similarly, the Quran  warns that the life of this world is nothing but "play and amusement," an illusion meant to distract us from the greater reality of the divine. In The Goal of The Wise, Aba Al-Sadiq explains that the material world itself is a false creation , a digital copy  of a higher, perfect realm.  “It (The World) is an illusion but the people within it are in a test.” (The Goal of The Wise, Aba Al-Sadiq, Door 14: The Nature of Reality, p. 187) "Our reality is a virtual reality program, that it is actually not a real place but more like a computer game or program with every action and consequence programmed with thousands of possibilities…although it is a game or illusion, it has an architect and the result or outcome of our performance in this virtual world has consequences on our reality in the real world." (The Goal of The Wise, Aba Al-Sadiq, Door 14: The Nature of Reality, p. 187) It is a simulation, one that deceives the physical senses and leads astray. According to these teachings, salvation lies in breaking free from the illusion of the material world and reconnecting with the divine reality beyond it. This belief finds resonance in modern spiritual movements and even scientific theories. In recent years, physicists and philosophers have proposed that the universe might indeed be a simulation , a complex virtual reality controlled by an unknown architect or group of architects. The parallels between these scientific speculations and ancient religious teachings are striking, leading some to wonder whether our ancestors were already aware of the true nature of reality. So, if Lucifer , Iblis , and the Archons  are all expressions of this inverted, chaotic consciousness that governs the simulation, what does this mean for humanity? According to many esoteric traditions, the answer lies in enlightenment—a process of waking up to the truth of our existence and escaping the control of these malevolent forces. In this view, angels—or other divine beings—serve as messengers and guides, attempting to help humanity break free from the illusion. Angels, in contrast to the Archons, constantly urge us to see beyond the material and recognize the true reality . They implore us to resist the temptations and distractions of the physical world and strive for a higher understanding of the cosmos. The Archons  and their agents, on the other hand, are always working to keep us grounded in materialism and physical pleasures, convincing us that this world is all there is. By manipulating our thoughts, emotions, and desires, they maintain their control over the simulation. In this sense, the war between angels and demons is not just a metaphysical battle but a struggle for the freedom of human consciousness . While the world may be an illusion, many religious traditions suggest that it is also a test . In this sense, life is like a game  or virtual reality program , where every action has consequences that affect not just our experience here but our eternal destiny . The Goal of The Wise describes this reality as a place where we are constantly being tested, with our actions in this simulation determining our fate in the real world—the spiritual realm beyond the illusion. If this is the case, then our mission is clear: to see through the deception  and act in accordance with the divine principles that guide us to truth. This is the message of angels, prophets, and enlightened beings across all spiritual traditions—they remind us that the material world is temporary, that it will eventually fade away, and that our true purpose lies in something far greater. If the Archons  are indeed the creators and rulers of this simulated reality, then our task is to break free from their control. This does not necessarily mean rejecting the physical world altogether, but rather recognizing its illusory nature  and refusing to be deceived by it. The key is to awaken to our divine potential, to rise above the distractions and manipulations of the material world, and to strive for a higher understanding of reality. The figure of Lucifer —or Iblis—serves as a reminder of the deceptive nature  of the physical world. He represents the false light , the seductive allure of the material realm that distracts us from the truth. But through awareness, enlightenment, and spiritual growth, we can overcome the influence of the Archon-Nemesis, so to speak, and achieve liberation  from the simulation. The scriptures, ancient texts, and modern insights all point toward one profound truth: there is more to reality than meets the eye . We are not merely players in a simulation—we are spiritual beings with the power to transcend it. The journey may be difficult, but the message is clear: do not be deceived by the illusion . Seek the truth  that lies beyond, and you will find the path to ultimate freedom. Chapter 6: Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind (CE-5) refers to human-initiated contact  with extraterrestrial beings or advanced interstellar civilizations. This involves direct communication between aliens and humans, something that has been hinted at in ancient scriptures and religious texts for millennia. The idea that humans have been in contact with beings beyond Earth is not new, but it has been interpreted through various lenses—spiritual, mystical, and, more recently, technological. One of the most fascinating examples of potential contact with extraterrestrial entities comes from biblical stories, particularly the case of Elijah  and his dramatic ascension to heaven in a "chariot of fire." In the Book of 2 Kings (2:9-11) , Elijah is taken up into the sky by a fiery whirlwind, a description that could be interpreted as an early account of a human encounter with non-human entities or advanced technology. The passage from 2 Kings reads: "As they were walking along and talking, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." (Bible, Book of 2 Kings, Chapter 2, Verse 1) Could this be a metaphorical or mystical description of an extraterrestrial abduction ? Or perhaps a direct encounter with advanced interstellar beings? In ancient texts, language was often symbolic, and events were described in terms that people of the time could understand. A chariot of fire  could have been an ancient interpretation of a spacecraft , just as a whirlwind  could be a primitive description of a propulsion system. The Mysterious Case of Enoch Another key figure in ancient scriptures often associated with extraterrestrial encounters is Enoch , a man who, like Elijah, was said to have been taken up into the heavens. The Bible tells us little about him—just that he was the seventh patriarch before the Great Flood and that he “walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him”  (Genesis 5:24). However, extra-biblical texts, such as the Book of Enoch , provide more detailed accounts of his experiences, and these have been interpreted by some scholars as descriptions of encounters with alien beings. According to the Book of Enoch , Enoch was taken up by two celestial beings at the age of 12 and was shown the inner workings of what we might now recognize as a spaceship . He describes seeing gardens of strange fruits and vegetables, which could be interpreted as an alien habitat or a ship’s bio-sustainability system. Enoch also speaks of a “throne room”  with a being seated at the center, whom he referred to as “the highest” —a title that might suggest not God, but a superior extraterrestrial commander. This narrative could align with modern descriptions of alien abductions , where abductees often report being taken aboard ships, meeting with alien beings, and undergoing strange examinations or receiving messages. What Enoch interpreted as a divine experience might have been an early CE-5  event—direct, initiated contact with extraterrestrial beings. Modern alien abduction stories vary widely. Some abductees report terrifying experiences , involving medical experiments, paralysis, and overwhelming fear. These cases often carry a tone of trauma and confusion, much like ancient descriptions of encounters with angels or gods who instilled fear and awe in the people they visited. However, not all alien abductions are described negatively. Some individuals report their abductions as positive and enlightening , with beings imparting wisdom, guidance, or knowledge about the universe. This echoes religious accounts of humans being taken up to meet with higher beings for instruction or insight. Enoch’s  encounter, for example, was transformative; he was shown celestial wonders, introduced to beings of immense power, and granted a new perspective on life. Similarly, Islamic texts  describe experiences where prophets or holy men are taken on journeys through the heavens. For instance, the Isra and Mi'raj  story of Prophet Muhammad’s  night journey to the heavens shares some similarities with modern abduction accounts, involving encounters with celestial beings and visionary experiences. Could these experiences be another form of Close Encounter of the Fifth Kind ? While modern science often attributes alien abduction experiences to sleep paralysis or psychological factors, it’s worth considering whether ancient scriptures have long been documenting similar encounters under the veil of religious or mystical experiences. Stories like Elijah’s ascent and Enoch’s journey to the stars might not be about divine intervention  in the traditional sense, but instead about contact with advanced beings —either extraterrestrial or interdimensional. Elijah , Enoch , and Muhammad —three figures from different traditions—all experienced direct contact with non-human entities and were taken to places beyond the earthly realm. In modern terms, these could be described as CE-5 events , where humans initiated or were chosen for contact with higher beings. These stories invite us to reconsider how we view ancient texts and whether the “heavens” they speak of are literal places beyond Earth, accessed by advanced technologies . The idea of Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind  raises significant questions about the nature of our reality and the beings that may be interacting with us. Why do these encounters happen? Are they a test —an initiation of sorts for certain humans to gain wisdom or knowledge? Or are they part of a larger extraterrestrial agenda , involving the study and manipulation of human consciousness? One interpretation, derived from both ancient texts and modern experiences, is that extraterrestrial beings—or higher intelligences—may be attempting to guide humanity towards a deeper understanding of the universe. In this sense, alien encounters could be seen as spiritual awakenings , akin to religious experiences. The contactees may be receiving a glimpse of a broader cosmic reality, just as Enoch  was shown the wonders of the heavens. Yet, as with any encounter with the unknown, there is fear. Many abduction stories carry an undercurrent of dread, as humans are taken without their consent, subjected to bizarre procedures, and then returned with fragmented memories. This dual nature— fear and enlightenment —reflects the complexity of these encounters, which often mirror the ambiguous nature of religious experiences in ancient texts. As humanity continues to explore the possibilities of extraterrestrial life  and advanced civilizations , we are increasingly confronted with the question of what these beings want  and why they interact with us . From the fiery chariots of Elijah  to the heavenly journeys of Enoch , and the abduction accounts of modern times, it’s clear that human beings have long had contact with non-human entities—whether divine, alien, or something in between. In our current age, Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind  lead us to reframe ancient stories and recognize that humans may have been communicating with extraterrestrial civilizations  for centuries. These encounters could hold the key to understanding both our past and our future, as well as our place in the cosmos. Whether these interactions are intended to guide, test, or deceive, one thing is clear: we are not alone in the universe. And perhaps we never have been.

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) is deeply alarmed by the escalating persecution and systematic suppression of its followers in Malaysia. Recent actions by the Malaysian government, including the issuance of a religious decree by the 124th National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI), have intensified the persecution of our faith, which has long faced hostility in Malaysia . On January 16, 2025, banners promoting the AROPL were displayed on the AMJ Highway overpass in Peringgit Jaya, Malacca, causing a hostile response from Malaysian authorities. These banners, which peacefully declared “Abdullah Hashem is Al-Mahdi, Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light,” have been characterized as a provocation and a threat to public harmony. Officials from the Malacca Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) and State Executive Council Member Datuk Rahmad Mariman have condemned the act, and started investigations to punish those involved. This response demonstrates a chilling intolerance toward the peaceful expression of religious beliefs. The website of the National Security Council states: The Malacca Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) is now pursuing individuals or parties responsible for hanging a banner promoting deviant teachings on the pedestrian bridge at Lebuh Alor Gajah-Malacca Tengah-Jasin (AMJ) in Peringgit. Several Malaysian news outlets have reported on the story, expressing support for the government's crackdown on the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. The Malaysian government has a long history of targeting the AROPL. In addition to declaring our teachings deviant and heretical, authorities have actively persecuted members of our community. Reports of arrests, harassment, and public vilification have become alarmingly common. Recently, AROPL members have faced backlash not only for promoting their faith but also for their advocacy of marginalized groups, including LGBTQ individuals. A particularly shocking incident involved the arrest of a 60-year-old retired firefighter for speaking with his own son about AROPL teachings. The MKI decree, issued after the Muzakarah Committee’s review in June 2024, explicitly bans the practice, dissemination, and promotion of AROPL beliefs. It criminalizes the distribution of any materials related to our faith and calls for adherents to repent. Specific objections in the decree target AROPL's theological interpretations, such as the belief in the 12th Imam Muhammad bin al-Hassan al-Askari as the Mahdi, views on prophetic fallibility, and reinterpretations of core religious practices. By branding these beliefs as deviant, the Malaysian government has not only dismissed our faith but has actively sought to erase it. This decree represents a gross violation of international human rights standards, including the right to freedom of religion and belief enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The prohibition on AROPL’s beliefs and practices, coupled with the call for repentance, constitutes a direct attack on religious minorities. The labeling of AROPL as a deviant sect encourages public hostility, as evidenced by the government’s characterization of the peaceful banner display as an act of provocation. The removal of the banner and the subsequent investigations have created an environment of fear for AROPL followers, who are now viewed as criminals for merely expressing their beliefs. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light calls on the Malaysian government to reverse this unjust decree and to cease its persecution of our community. We urge Malaysia to uphold its obligations under international law, protect the rights of religious minorities, and foster an environment where all individuals can freely practice their faith. We also call upon the international community to stand with the AROPL in condemning these actions and to hold Malaysia accountable for its treatment of religious minorities. The marginalization of our community is a threat not only to us but to the principles of justice, equality, and freedom that must underpin any democratic society.

Japan, a nation where materialism and atheism have taken root, with 70% of the population professing no personal faith in a supreme deity, still upholds profound values of discipline, respect, justice, and love for family. The Japanese psyche is deeply imbued with self-sacrifice, as seen in their historical concept of Kamikaze—derived from the word “Divine Wind”—symbolizing a willingness to give their lives for the Emperor and the Ideal State. Historically, the Emperor was seen as a divine intermediary, supported by the warrior class who lived by the Bushido code. These principles of courage, honor, loyalty, and benevolence, influenced by Taoist, Shinto, Confucian, and Buddhist traditions, remain embedded in the nation’s ethos, even as formal faith has waned. Despite a lack of outward religious adherence, the Japanese mindset aligns with the belief that God sends reformers to restore order during times of chaos, as articulated by figures like Lord Krishna: “Whenever righteousness wanes and unrighteousness increases, I send myself forth.” (Bhagavad Gita) Today, Salman Khan, an ardent believer in the promise of an Ideal State, has been spreading the message that the Divine King, Aba Al Sadiq, has appeared to lead humanity into a just and harmonious era. Salman’s experiences as a traveler, soldier, and seeker of truth uniquely position him to reach out to those yearning for justice and reform. Born in Pakistan, Salman lived in Kuwait before moving to the United States at 18 for college and later joining the military. His experiences in Kuwait exposed him to systemic oppression and Arab superiority, while his military service taught him the strengths and weaknesses of highly organized systems. While the military fosters discipline and community, Salman observed that its lack of justice and humanity ultimately renders it a flawed institution, akin to “the devil’s system.” From a Sunni background, Salman became disillusioned with Islam after encountering the deplorable behavior of some Muslims, particularly leaders in mosques. He stepped away from religion entirely during his time in America, engaging in worldly pursuits, but later realized that detachment from the world would not help humanity evolve from its corrupted state. Reflecting on his military experience, Salman noted that while the system is well-organized, racism and despotic leadership undermine trust and unity. Similarly, in Japan, he observed how many people, disillusioned by hypocritical religious scholars, have turned away from faith. Yet, their inherent humanity and respect for others offer hope for a return to truth and justice. The motto Humanity Before Religion , central to Aba Al Sadiq’s call, resonates deeply with Salman and the Japanese mindset. Prophet Mohammed’s warnings about the corruption of his followers further validated Salman’s observations: “There will come a time upon my nation when nothing will remain of the Quran except its inscription, and nothing will remain of Islam except its name… Their scholars will be the worst scholars under the sky; fitna will come from them, and to them it shall return.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 190, Hadith 21) Salman’s search for truth began with The Arrivals  in 2011, a series that exposed tyranny in politics, mainstream religion, and the entertainment industry. However, his disillusionment with the behavior of certain leaders led him to step away from his spiritual pursuits for a time. It wasn’t until he encountered the seminal gospel The Goal of the Wise  by Aba Al Sadiq that he found clarity and renewed purpose. Ephesians 5:14 encapsulates Salman’s spiritual awakening: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon you.” (Bible, Book of Ephesians, Chapter 5, Verse 14) Despite personal trials and tribulations, Salman has remained steadfast in his mission, working alongside his brother in faith, Ardijan, since 2011. Together, they strive to awaken others to the Divine Mandate and establish an Ideal State guided by Aba Al Sadiq. Salman believes that by restoring principles of justice, humanity, and divine guidance, the world can transcend its current state of chaos and corruption, leading to a harmonious and just society for all. Through his outreach efforts in Japan and beyond, Salman seeks to unite humanity under the banner of truth, embodying the principles of sacrifice, discipline, and respect that form the foundation of the Ideal State.

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) expresses grave concern over the recent arrest and human rights violations against one of its members, Mohd Tarmizi bin Mond Ariffin, a 39-year-old freelance wiring technician and believer of the faith since 3 April 2024. On 4 June 2025, officers from the Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) conducted a raid at Mohd Tarmizi’s residence in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, at approximately 8:00 AM. He was subsequently detained for 24 hours at the Kuantan District Police Headquarters. On 5 June 2025, Mohd Tarmizi was released on bail totaling RM3,300, paid by his sister. No official documentation was provided aside from the bail bond receipts for two separate charges. Court proceedings are scheduled as follows: 11 June 2025 at the Shariah High Court, where he will face charges of spreading false doctrines 11 July 2025 at the Shariah Lower Court, for possession of banned religious materials During his detention, Mohd Tarmizi was denied access to legal representation, prevented from making phone calls, and was not presented with any official documentation regarding his arrest or the charges. These acts constitute clear violations of fundamental human rights, including the right to due process and legal defense. The Malaysian Outreach team notes that the nature of this raid, arrest, and legal process differs significantly from previous cases involving members of the AROPL community in Malaysia. Notably, no media statements were issued, and court summonses were not officially delivered — suggesting a possible coordinated effort between JAIP and the police to suppress information and prevent communication with AROPL Headquarters in the UK. The Outreach team is especially concerned that the legal proceedings may take place in a closed trial, without a fair opportunity for defense. In light of this, it is proposed that Mohd Tarmizi deny the charges during his initial hearing and request a full trial to allow legal aid and human rights advocacy to mobilize. Ongoing Persecution of AROPL in Malaysia This incident is part of a broader pattern of state-led religious persecution in Malaysia. The Malaysian government has issued a controversial religious decree labeling the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) as “deviant” and incompatible with Sunni Islam, as declared by the 124th National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI). This ruling threatens the fundamental right to freedom of religion. In recent years, multiple AROPL members in Malaysia have been targeted for peacefully expressing their beliefs and supporting marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ community. Among the many disturbing cases is the arrest of a 60-year-old retired firefighter, detained simply for speaking publicly about AROPL teachings. Call to Action The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light urges the international human rights community, including organizations such as Amnesty International, to stand against this injustice. We call on the Malaysian government to immediately drop all charges against Mohd Tarmizi and to uphold the constitutional right to religious freedom for all citizens.

The news  pointed to the initial silence of Arab Christians in response to the announcement by the Mahdi Abdullah Hashem, Aba al-Sadiq, who proclaimed himself as the new and true Pope. It also highlighted that Arab Christians, like Sunni and Shia Muslims, have long grown accustomed to silence, submission, and servility before political regimes and religious authorities of all kinds, despite living under oppression, suffering, and marginalization. Like the “mute devil”, they do not speak out. The deep influence of these regimes and institutions has extinguished within them the inner spark of revolution for truth, justice, and dignity, and the drive to act seriously and consistently toward the divine transformation of this world. However, the Arabic-language channel “Imam Mahdi Appeared”  broadcasted a series of speeches by Aba al-Sadiq announcing the rise of the true Pope and unveiling the Antichrist. In these speeches, Aba al-Sadiq called upon all those who claim faith in God—especially Jews, Christians, and Muslims—to sincerely ask God about him. The channel provided detailed explanations of these speeches through the various programs and leveraged social media to spread the message in Arabic as widely as possible. This sparked reactions from some Christian viewers and followers, who began to respond to what they heard from Aba al-Sadiq. Interestingly, some of these responses came from Egyptian Christians—from Egypt, the homeland of the true Pope, the companion of Egypt, and the Mahdi. There were several calls and conversations with the various presenters. One such example is a dialogue that took place during an episode of the show” Abdal al-Sham” , titled “Christians and Muslims are Brothers”.  A caller named Mario , a Christian guest, expressed his views on Aba al-Sadiq’s message:  “First of all, peace of Christ be upon you all and may the Lord bless you. But what you speak of, in your own terms and concepts, does not concern us. We have one Lord, one faith, one Church, and one Pope. Anything else is completely irrelevant to us Christians. So please, enough with the heresy and innovation... The Mahdi means nothing to us, and neither do any of you—except as fellow human beings. So please, no more heresy.” This was the first message from Christians in response to Aba al-Sadiq’s invitation to recognize him as their messenger from Jesus, then follow and obey him. What’s peculiar, however, is that the guest fell into a major fallacy—one that many Christians themselves would not agree with. His claim of "one Lord, one faith, one Church, and one Pope" is, in fact, a form of heresy itself, for this has never been the reality of Christianity. It is well known that Christians are divided into multiple denominations and churches. Each church has its own leadership, followers, and distinct beliefs regarding God, Christ, the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit, and more. Moreover, Christians are far from united under a single pope. There are denominations with millions of adherents—such as Protestants—who do not acknowledge the Pope or the legitimacy of the Catholic Church. To the Catholic audience, a critical question arises: how can you believe that the Pope is a figure who represents Christ in this era, seated on the throne of Christ through a vote conducted by a group of cardinals —rather than by appointment from Christ or His chosen ones? How can you entrust your salvation to a pope who calls you to choose the “lesser of two evils”? It is worth watching this lecture titled “Is Democracy a Religion?” by the true  Pope Abdullah Hashem regarding the fatwa issued by Pope Francis before his death, where he instructed Christians to vote for the “lesser of two evils” in the recent U.S. elections. If Christ was  present today, would He really guide His followers toward the lesser of two evils? Would Christ approve of wars waged in His name by those claiming to follow Him—like George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush—wars promoted as "holy," that killed many, wreaked havoc, looted lands, and spread corruption? Would Christ accept wars and conflicts waged in the name of God, Himself, and His fellow messengers—especially His brother the Comforter, Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam—resulting in the deaths of innocents, children, and the poor? Would Christ approve of wealthy Christians amassing and hoarding wealth while vast segments of humanity live in hunger and poverty? Could Christ Himself bear a golden scepter in hand while preaching about the poor? Would Christ approve of the genocide of entire peoples in His name, or the enslavement of races—as happened to Africans under Christian justifications sanctioned by the Church? All these acts were blessed by the Church—but they could never have been blessed by Christ. Therefore, no church that endorsed these acts can truly represent Christ or be guided by the Holy Spirit. The guest reaffirms: “The Mahdi does not concern us. I repeat—if you believe in him, that’s your business. Don’t involve Christians in this matter.” Brother Amer al-Mahdi responds: “We are the true Christians, not you. You follow a false religion, not the religion of Christ.” The guest reacts with hysterical laughter and mockery. Yet those who mocked Christ in his time were the scribes and Pharisees—whom he called vipers, hypocrites, and children of the devil. The recurring claim by the guest—that “the Mahdi does not concern us”—is, in truth, contradicted by reality. They are in dire need of the Mahdi, the true Pope Abdullah Hashem, who is the savior and reformer. He can help Christians overcome their divisions, disagreements, and mutual animosity. This refutes the guest’s initial claim entirely—about Christians being united under one Church and one Pope. History itself still bears witness to the conflicts among Christian denominations. One can see a symbol of this disunity in Jerusalem, specifically in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In 1808, a massive fire broke out in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, causing significant damage due to violent disputes among Christian sects fighting for influence within the church. Muslims intervened to extinguish the fire, quell the conflict, and guard the church. It remained closed for two years until it was restored. Muslims even took part in the re-opening ceremony. Since then, the key to the church has been held by a Muslim family from Jerusalem—considered a neutral party to resolve disputes between Christian sects over control and precedence in ceremonies. Then came this comment from another guest, “Super Chef,” on the same episode… @superchef8048: When the beginnings are incorrect, the conclusions cannot be right. 1. Jesus Christ is not the "Isa" mentioned in the Quran. 2. As long as you limit Christ’s attributes to prophethood alone, you have severed all ties with Christians—for Jesus Christ is our Lord and God. Any call that claims otherwise is from Satan. "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!"  (Galatians 1:8–9) "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."  (1 Corinthians 2:2) "He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible—whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross."  (Colossians 1:13–20) I know that the Apostle Paul is a source of irritation and chronic discomfort for you. But Paul did not preach anything contrary to the teachings of Christ—otherwise, we would have found disagreement between him and the other disciples. Yet this never happened, even after his death. John the Beloved remained alive after Paul’s death and never opposed his teachings or ideas. We view with astonishment the deep attachment many Christians have to Paul rather than to Jesus Christ Himself or to His words and teachings. When did Christ ever declare Himself to be the Absolute God? Every word He spoke point ed to the Father—to His glory, His will, and the fulfilment of His purpose. Paul was never appointed as an apostle by Christ, nor did he ever meet Him. He was a Jewish Pharisee, a vehement enemy of Christ and His followers. He persecuted and killed Christians, and he consistently opposed Simon Peter, the designated successor of Christ, thereby hindering Peter in his divine mission to establish the first Christian community and the original Church of Christ after the Ascension. It was Paul who authored nearly half of the New Testament and, in doing so, altered the core of Christianity. He introduced laws and practices never prescribed by Christ—mandating the veil for women, abolishing circumcision, and most significantly, he was the first to inject into Christian thought the doctrine that Christ’s crucifixion was an absolute necessity to atone for human sin and erase Adam’s sin. Yet Christ came to establish a divine covenant through divine commandments and to manifest the Kingdom of God here on earth. If His death were the predetermined path, why then did He kneel in prayer, asking for the cup to pass from Him? Paul, in essence, represents the false prophet whom Christ warned against. The leaders and heads of churches who are not appointed by Christ or by His trustees in any age are the very false prophets of whom Christ spoke. Anyone who exploits the name and teachings of Christ without divine appointment—who distorts the message for personal or institutional gain at the expense of humanity—is a false prophet. In order to complete the mission of enlightening Christians and awakening them from spiritual slumber and death, messengers of theMahdi  divine call have been dispatched throughout the world—to proclaim the truth and invite all to the Messenger of Christ and the Comforter in this time: Abdullah Hashem Aba al-Sadiq. Sister Rahma reached out to one of the prominent figures of the Coptic Church, known for his television program broadcast on the satellite channel al-Fadi . In it, he devotes much of his speech to inciting hatred and animosity among Christians toward the Prophet Muhammad and Muslims. He brazenly mocks and falsely accuses the Prophet, speaks blasphemously of the Qur’an, and vilifies Islam with slander and contempt. This figure is Zakaria Botros, a priest of the Coptic Orthodox Church. His rhetoric has provoked widespread discontent among both Christians and Muslims alike. Indeed, some bishops have publicly distanced themselves from him and warned of the dangerous consequences of his divisive and hate-filled discourse. What is especially astonishing is that this priest—already discredited and rejected by many—took it upon himself to attack the divine call and Aba al-Sadiq, who is known in the Old Testament  as the Righteous Servant  and the Suffering Servant , and in tradition of Mohammad and Al-Mohammad (peace be upon them) as The Egyptian , The Companion of  Egypt , The Mahdi , and The Riser (al-Qa’im) . He accused him of deceit and employed shallow, mocking rhetoric in doing so. For the sake of Christians, Aba al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) responded to the malicious suspicions and falsehoods propagated by this priest. We invite all to watch this important lecture in which Aba al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) refutes the priest’s baseless claims and clarifies key misconceptions that even the priest himself failed to articulate clearly in his response to Sister Rahma. At the close of this article, we quote a prayer from Aba al-Sadiq’s  speech "Ask God About Me" , may the  hearts of christians as well of muslims and of everyone called towards the speech and  this article  be illuminated, drawn to the truth, and may they recognize the signs and prostrate before the Ever-Living One, who never dies: “I ask God Subhanahu wa Taalah, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, the prophets and the messengers, the archangels above to testify on my behalf and to show the people a sign that Iam sincere and Iam truly who I say Iam if I am... Give them a sign on earth, O Lord. Expose one of these evil scholars and world leaders in public scandal or cause one of them to pass away unexpectedly so these people may believe. Give them a sign in the heavens that will leave their necks stretched towards the sky so that they may believe. Give them a sign in their own selves and grant them dreams or give them signs in their lives that verify that I told the truth”

In a television interview on the Lebanese news channel LTV’s program "On the Brink" , Abdullah Hashem appeared as a guest and was interviewed. Aba Al-Sadiq spoke about his religion, the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. He clarified many facts and matters that had previously been ambiguous to the presenters, sheikhs, and the public. He explained that his religion is based on the principle of divine appointment, which has been the foundation for all prophets and messengers who came before him—each appointed by the will of the Messenger who preceded them. Aba Al-Sadiq cited the will of the Prophet Muhammad, which the Prophet wrote on the night of his death. In it, he mentioned twelve Imams, followed by twelve Mahdis. He also revealed the names of the first three Mahdis: Abdullah, Ahmad, and Al-Mahdi. This testament, which the Prophet described by saying, “If you hold on to it, you will never be misguided,” was presented as a guarantee for humanity. According to the Prophet, adhering to this will would prevent people from going astray and ensure they remain aligned with the system of God’s governance—the very essence of religion. During the interview, Aba Al-Sadiq  mentioned the source of the narration of the will, stating that it exists in Ghaybat Al-Tusi  and Bihar Al-Anwar , among others, indicating the will's presence in both Shia and Sunni books. He also mentioned a well-known Sunni incident called the "Tragedy of Thursday," referring  to the Prophet's intention on that day to write this will. However, due to the objection of Umar and his companions, the Prophet did not write it that day.    Due to limited time, Aba Al-Sadiq  pointed to these sources and cited some of them. Any seeker of truth and knowledge could easily refer to these sources and verify the presence of the texts and narrations. Here are some narrations about Muhammad and the family of Muhammad that Aba Al-Sadiq mentioned during the interview as evidence: From Abd Al-A’la: I said to Abu Abdullah: "The one claiming this matter, what is the proof against him?" He said: "He is asked about what is lawful and unlawful." Then he turned to me and said: "Three of the evidence do not gather in anyone except he is the owner of this matter: he is more entitled than those before him, he has the weapon, and he is the owner of the apparent will which, if presented in Medina, the common folk and children ask: to whom did so-and-so bequeath? They say: to so-and-so, son of so-and-so." (Al-Kafi, Al-Shaikh Al-Kulayni, Vol. 1, p. 284)   From Abu Abdullah  who was asked: "By what is the Imam known?" He said: "By the apparent will and by merit. No one can attack him in his mouth, stomach, or private parts. They say: liar and he eats people's money, and the like." (Al-Kafi, Al-Shaikh Al-Kulayni, Vol. 1, p. 284) This is a small portion of many narrations that indicate the will and show that the owner of the matter is known thereby, besides the narration of the will itself mentioned in Ghaybat Al-Tusi and Bihar Al-Anwar. We were surprised during the meeting by the other guest invited by the program "On the Brink" to respond, introduced as "His Eminence" Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Talib, by the presenter. He is one of the muftis from the Shia sect. We found him responding to Aba Al-Sadiq’s argument without any degree of knowledge, scientific or professional, about his sect, Islam in general, or the fundamentals of religion. As soon as Aba Al-Sadiq finished his response to questions from the presenters, questions which we will address in the article, the sheikh’s first act was to deny and refute the existence of a will from the Prophet altogether. He denied that the Prophet wrote a will, thus destroying a very important matter in the Shia sect, a matter that many have testified to and still do, regarding the will and appointment which is only for God. In complete denial of what the Shia believe in, the sect to which he belongs and of which he is a mufti, the sheikh denied the matter without evidence, without awareness, and without knowledge. He said the Prophet did not write the will and cited the Tragedy of Thursday where Umar ibn Al-Khattab objected to the Prophet and tried to prevent him from writing a will.   Imagine, O Shia, this mufti believed Umar more than the Prophet and supported the tragedy and its implementation more than he supported the writing of the will that the Prophet wrote on the night of his death. Here we see denial, rejection, and negation by Ahmad Talib of the most important matter on which the Shia sect is founded, the divine appointment and the Prophet’s will by which the Imams  are known, which Shia scholars have testified to for hundreds of years, while attacking the Sunni sect for denying this will.   If this indicates anything, it shows firstly the ignorance of Sheikh Ahmad Talib regarding his own sect, and his ignorance of what exists in its books. It also demonstrates his denial and misleading of the people, distancing them from the matter of God’s governance. All this with sarcastic words reflecting nothing but his ignorance and lack of skill in responding to Aba Al-Sadiq’s argument. Aba Al-Sadiq completed his argument by also bringing a second proof of his knowledge, which is raising the banner of allegiance to God—the black banners mentioned in the narrations, which God has reserved for Imam Mahdi  at the end of time, based also on the narrations of Muhammad. We mention among them the narration included by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal in Al-Musnad , Ibn Majah, and Al-Naeem ibn Hammad in Kitab Al-Fitan, "If you see the black banners coming out of Khorasan, then come to them, for in them is the Caliph of God, the Mahdi."   Also, the Qa’im will appear, and as Aba Al-Sadiq argues with knowledge, which is the weapon of the Qa’im. Unfortunately, we also see Sheikh Ahmad Talib responding to all these  proofs, which are established in all Shia and Sunni books, by saying: “I did not find anything worth responding to.” The truth is he is indeed unable to respond but not because there is nothing worth it, but because he is ignorant and not knowledgeable about the narrations of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad. He speaks only randomly and generally, without refuting any evidence or argument. If this indicates anything, it truly indicates that they are scholars who do not act and are also not knowledgeable of their religion’s fundamentals. This reflects the Messenger’s description of such jurists as evil jurists, jurists of the end times, from whom sedition originates and to whom it returns. The seditions are described by Imam Na’im ibn Hammad (he is one of the earliest authors on the subject of seditions; he died in 229 AH). The presenter returned to the discussion and asked Aba Al-Sadiq, “Are you founding a new religion?” He answered objectively and sincerely,  “Yes and no,” explaining, “If you consider what the Prophet Muhammad brought as something new, contrary to the religion of Abraham, then yes, I founded a movement and named it to distinguish it from all false practices, but because it is religious it is an extension of all original Abrahamic religions. Therefore, our followers are the true Muslims, the true Christians, the true Jews, and followers of all religions of the messengers and prophets. Indeed, I brought a new covenant, a new judgment, and a new command.” He based his words on narrations of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad that confirm this.  “The Qa’im will come with a new command, new religion, and a new judgment severe upon the Arabs.” (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 236) The program host also asked Aba Al-Sadiq why he does not reside among his own people and nation, is he afraid? He answered clearly and confidently, “I am not afraid of anyone; on the contrary, I actually reside among my family and people. I came to the whole world, and wherever I am and the believers are, these are my family and people.”  He said, “I am now residing in the United Kingdom with my family and people who believed in me and in God’s governance. These are my people, my nation, my family. Even if all the armies of America and the world move against me, they will not move a hair of my body; rather, you should question them and they should be afraid because they are on falsehood, and I am the Qa’im, and my companions are evil to those who reject God’s governance.” There is indeed a narration confirming Aba Al-Sadiq’s statement from Muhammad and the family of Muhammad:  From Abu Abdullah  regarding the verse: “And if We delay the punishment for them to a limited period,” he said: “The punishment is the emergence of the Qa’im , and the limited period is the number of people of Badr and his companions.” (Kitab Al-Ghaybah,  Al-Numani, Vol. 1, p. 246)   Every time the Qa’im  answered, he used evidence to establish the credibility of his argument, while anyone who watched and followed Sheikh Ahmad Talib’s replies found his answers weak, general, and random, showing no knowledge of what the Ahl al-Bayt said. He tried to cover his ignorance by misleading people and denying any evidence, hadith, or any book mentioning the truth of what Aba Al-Sadiq  said. However, these sources are before you and any seeker of truth can verify their existence, not as the sheikh claimed and failed to prove. Regarding the presenter’s question to Aba Al-Sadiq  about his opinion on the rejection of the sheikhs and religious scholars of him, are they all misguided? He replied that in reality, he sees their condition worse than just misguided and misleading. The narrations about Muhammad and the family of Muhammad describing their condition are many, where the Prophet said: “The worst jurists under the sky are the jurists of the end times.” The Prophet also said he feared for his nation from the sedition and lies of the non-working scholars more than he feared for them the sedition of the Dajjal or armies of Yazid ibn Muawiya.   He accused these scholars: the scholars we see today have no relation to Islam, they are puppets in the hands of client governments placed in power. They are enemies of Islam, sons of Satan, wolves in sheep’s clothing, those whom the Prophet saw in his dream descending on his pulpit, resembling monkeys. These are the ones against whom we lead a revolution. These are the ones from whom we try to awaken the Islamic nation and keep them away. I confirm that no prophet or messenger or Imam was ever supported by scholars in his lifetime. If you look at the stories of Muhammad, Jesus, Moses, and the Imams, you will find that the rabbis, Pharisees, priests, and scholars were those who killed the prophets and messengers. Also, you will find that the fatwas of Islamic scholars caused the killing of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad  in Islam. Therefore, the non-working scholars are enemies and we do not expect support from them. This is the speech of Aba Al-Sadiq, confirmed by evidence in the narrations of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad. We mention among them the saying of Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq:   “Our enemies or among the disputers from us who called themselves our scholars, harm the weak among our Shiites more than Yazid’s army harmed Hussein bin Ali and his companions, for they seize their lives and their wealth. And these bad scholars introduce doubt and suspicion to the weak among our Shiites, thus misguiding them and preventing them from aiming at the correct and true/right. No doubt that whoever among our Shiites knew them, abandoned them and rejected them, and did not take anything from their knowledge, did not share in their sin; and whoever was deceived by them, and they do not know their condition, then they have associated with them in the sin and were partners with them in the fire.” (Book of Al-Ihtijaj, Ahmad bin Lutbarsi, part 2)   As a response to the accusation by the presenter that Aba Al-Sadiq mocks the efforts of the prophets and that many have accused him of madness and delusion: Aba Al-Sadiq  said:  “Thank you, it is a great badge of honor that I was accused of what the prophets and messengers were accused of before. No messenger came and argued with people by the command of God except that he was accused of heresy, magic, disbelief, or madness. These stories are mentioned in the Qur’an and all the holy books so that people remember and think about them. Therefore, these accusations mean nothing to me and do not invalidate my call.”   Aba Al-Sadiq confirmed again, by citing narrations, that he is the Mahdi, and when he appears all people will talk about him as is happening now. However, there will be a limited number who will be with him — the described number being 313 men, fifty women, and ten thousand. From Imam Al-Sadiq: {Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together} [Al-Baqarah: 148], he said: "They are the people whom God said: {Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together.} They are the companions of Al-Qa’im, the three hundred and thirteen men whom God gathers in one hour. They are people whom God carries as He wills — from a tribe, one man and two men until they reach nine. Then from the horizons, three hundred and thirteen men come together, the number of the people of Badr. This is the saying of God: {Wherever you are, Allah will bring you all together}, and they are the companions of Al-Qa’im." (Kitab Al-Ghaybah, Al-Numani, Chapter 20, p. 314, Hadith 2)   The presenter continued by asking Aba Al-Sadiq: “What is your message to the Christians in 2025, and the exceptional event that happened on April 25, in which you announced yourself as the true Pope? Is this considered a miracle or a coincidence? Did you use the event to serve your call?”   Aba Al-Sadiq replied: “Yes, it is an exceptional event. What made it exceptional is that my followers truly went to the Vatican and stood in St. Peter’s Square during Pope Francis’s speech and raised the pledge flag for God, the flag of this blessed call, the flags that have not been raised since the time of our master Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). They also raised signs and wore shirts written: ‘The new pope has come, he is Aba Al-Sadiq, the legitimate heir, the pope and the true caliph.’ Then the world witnessed after a few hours the death of Francis — this is a great miracle. It is an event confirming before the whole world that God alone determines the choice of leader, and I am the legitimate representative of all Christians, and the world’s true Pope is Aba Al-Sadiq, not the pope of the Vatican.”   Then the presenter continued: “In 2015, Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan ordered you to raise the black flags. What did you do afterward for the world?” Aba Al-Sadiq  confirmed this and said: “Yes, Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan ordered me to raise the pledge flag to God, the black flags. Your question implies that I have done nothing during these ten years, but the truth is I have done more than the prophets and messengers, because time has changed, means advanced, and communication with people through means of satellites, screens, technology, social media.   Since the question was asked, I want to remind the viewers and presenters what the Prophet did during the first 13 years of his call to Islam. He did nothing but what I do now, which is calling people to God. I now have more followers than he had at that stage. At that time, he was still in Mecca, not yet migrated, and for 13 years his call was secret before it became public. The same applies to Jesus, whose call lasted three years — that was the duration of his mission — and he had only eleven disciples. The same is with Moses, who was with his people for 40 years before he began to lead them out to the desert. What was he doing all those 40 years? What did the messengers all do during those years? They called people to religion and spread their call. This is exactly what I do, calling people and spreading the call among them.” Of course, this answer shocked the presenter and the sheikh due to their ignorance and lack of understanding of the Qa’im’s answer. Unfortunately, the presenter considered it as belittling the efforts of the prophets and messengers, while Aba Al-Sadiq was explaining to her their journey over time based on their question. But she did not focus on the answer clearly and found it provocative, as did the ignorant sheikh to whom she turned.   She said: “How did you control yourself from interrupting, while I know that when the voice of God speaks, the voice of falsehood cannot interrupt?” They continued asking many questions: “Who are your followers and what is their religion?” He answered: “My followers are those who believed in the sovereignty of God, the man appointed by God, based on all the heavenly religions that believe in that. Also, their religion's name is the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light.”  When the interviewer asked, "Is everyone who does not believe in you a disbeliever?" Aba Al-Sadiq cited that in the religion of God, since the time of Adam, God commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam, after God chose him to be His successor. This is in the Quranic text in several Surahs, we mention, for example: "And when We said to the angels, 'Prostrate to Adam,' they prostrated except for Iblis; he refused and was arrogant and was of the disbelievers." (Surah Al-Baqarah – verse 34) "And certainly We created you, then fashioned you; then We said to the angels, 'Prostrate to Adam,' so they prostrated except Iblis; he was not of those who prostrate." (Surah Al-A'raf – verse 11) "When I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down before him in prostration. So the angels prostrated, all of them together." (Surah Sad – verses 72-73)   Whoever believed and prostrated to Adam was a believer, and whoever refused was a disbeliever. And so in all religions: whoever believed in Christ was a Christian, and whoever refused was a disbeliever; whoever believed in Moses was Jewish, and whoever refused was a disbeliever; the same applied to Muhammad. God's proof is a fundamental doctrine in all religions. Additionally, Aba Al-Sadiq cited a narration from Prophet Muhammad  from Sahih Muslim (Book of Leadership, Chapter on the Obligation to Obey the Leaders):   "From Abdullah ibn Umar, he said: I heard the Messenger of God  say: 'Whoever removes his hand from obedience will meet God on the Day of Resurrection with no proof for him, and whoever dies while there is no allegiance on his neck, dies a death of ignorance.'" (Sahih Muslim, Muslim ibn Al-Hajjaj Al-Naysaburi, Hadith 1851)   This narration is agreed upon by Sunni and Shia. Yet Sheikh Ahmed Talib once again confirmed his ignorance of what is stated in the books and misled people by claiming that Aba Al-Sadiq did not speak with evidence and did not bring any narration, despite every question and answer being supported by evidence. However, it seems Sheikh Ahmed Talib tried by all means to deny the truth in Aba Al-Sadiq’s words, and this is the habit of the non-working scholars. As the People of the House said about them, "Our enemies are the imitating scholars."   "As for the one who is from the jurists, guarding himself, preserving his religion, opposing his desires, obeying his master’s command, the common people may imitate him. This only applies to some Shia jurists, not all. For whoever rides the horses of ugliness and sins, he is a corrupt person among the general public, so do not accept anything from us through him, nor honor. And the confusion increased about what the People of the House bear because the wicked bear it from us; they are our enemies, our enemies, our enemies. And among them is one called a scholar but is not a scholar." (Wasail al-Shi'a, Al-Hurr al-Amili, Vol. 27, p. 131, Chapter of the Characteristics of the Mufti, Hadith 32969)   Indeed, God Almighty in every age sends a successor, a messenger, a guide, and an Imam for every people. Aba Al-Sadiq also cited a Quranic verse regarding that from Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 30: "And when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successor.' They said, 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?' He said, 'Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'" (Qur’an, Chapter 2 (Al-Baqarah), Verse 30)   What was the response and action of the sheikh who believes in the Quran and whose basic duty is to understand the Quran? He started laughing at his own ignorance, saying that this verse’s meaning was negated just because the angels objected to God. But if his answer shows mockery of God’s command and his incorrect interpretation of Quranic verses, and failure to complete the verse, indeed these are the ones who mislead people from the truth. Since he stopped at the angels’ response and did not continue God’s reply where He said,  "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."   So God, Sheikh Talib, did what He intended, which is appointing a successor and ordering the angels to prostrate. Otherwise, if you deny that, why are you a believer in Muhammad and the messengers of God? Are they not appointed by God and His successors on earth? On what basis then do you build your faith in them if you deny and reject that God appointed a successor and was content with the angels’ response? Unfortunately, this is a model of non-working scholars who mislead humanity by their ignorance and wickedness about God’s command and by interpretations and exegeses not sanctioned by God. Who gave you or anyone other than the infallible family, the right to interpret and explain the Quran? Enough deception and slander on God and His messengers. And Aba Al-Sadiq  continued his answers to the presenters’ questions. Unfortunately, later in their dialogue with the sheikh, they also showed their ignorance of what Aba Al-Sadiq said and the evidence he presented, by their reactions and comments, that showed their lack of knowledge of religious fundamentals. They were led by Sheikh Ahmed Talib’s ignorance.  When he was asked about his followers from all religions — Christians, Muslims, Jews, Zoroastrians, and others — and whether this is the establishment of a new religion, the Qa’im answered: “This is not a new religion; this is a new covenant between God and humanity called the Seventh Covenant, as there were six covenants before with God, His messengers, and humanity.” And he explained some examples, which you can watch in the full interview to understand more about them. When Aba Al-Sadiq was asked during the talk if he is the Seal of the Guides, Aba Al-Sadiq rejected this attributed claim and confirmed that he never claimed nor alleged on any day that he is the Seal of the Guides. On the contrary, he always and forever affirms that God's successors continue eternally as long as there are creatures of God. He said: “ I am one of the Mahdis, and there are eleven other Mahdis besides me, and after the Mahdis, there will be the Guides, the Knights, and others. And God's rule does not stop, and it continues with His successors.” Thus, the Qa’im Aba Al-Sadiq confirmed in his answer to every question posed to him that he is the successor of the Messenger in this time, the successor of Christ, and the successor of Moses, and that he came to save humanity and deliver them from the men of religion who are the voice of Satan, and from the rulers who usurped the succession because they are not appointed by God. He warned God's enemies that the Qa’im and his companions are like torment and evil. He cited and said:  “Woe to the Arabs from evil that is near.” By this, we have shed light on the summary of what happened in the interview of Aba Al-Sadiq  on the program "On the Brink." At the same time Sheikh Ahmed Talib, and every researcher who is fair and objective, has the right to see what Aba Al-Sadiq  presented, which shows his knowledge, awareness, and evidence. And to whoever was random, ignorant, and did not know what he was saying, like the sheikh and the presenter: "They want to extinguish the light of God with their mouths, but God will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it." (Qur’an, Chapter 61 (As-Saff), Verse 8)

For centuries, scholars have used vague or contradictory narrations to fabricate a fairy-tale narrative of the Mahdi’s emergence as a man materializing at the Kaaba with an army of angels and soldiers, instantly recognized by the masses. This image, endlessly echoed in sermons and lectures across the Muslim world, has become so deep-rooted that few pause to question it. The result is that most expect the Mahdi to appear in a dramatic, almost supernatural way, leaving no room for doubt of his identity. This widely held belief, though popular, stands in clear contrast to the actual narrations.  The Mahdi’s mission is monumental: to fill the earth with justice after it has been choked by oppression and darkness. Despite this global mission, the narrations that describe the Mahdi present a much more grounded and relatable human story than the one many are led to believe. According to Islamic sources, the Mahdi may not be outwardly religious beforehand. He is described as living an ordinary, non-religious life among the people, in contrast to his eventual role, a view supported by Sunni scholars. “The Mahdi is from us, the people of the household. Allah will rectify him in a single night.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4085) In the following videos, several Sunni scholars explain, that this narration means, that the Mahdi will not be religious before he takes on the role of being the Mahdi. It is crucial to dispel the widespread myth that the Mahdi appears suddenly out of nowhere with an army of supporters: a false idea that only hinders the community’s ability to recognize and follow the Mahdi. Rather than appearing suddenly at the head of a vast army, the wording "the Mahdi is fixed in one night" describes the Mahdi as someone initially unknown to the public. He does not lead a visibly religious life prior to his appointment, nor is he immediately recognized. Far from being unprecedented, this journey of the Mahdi reflects the pattern of figures like Moses, Joseph, Jesus, and Prophet Muhammad himself. Many prophets of God led entirely ordinary lives not free from errors, before their sacred missions. In each of these stories, a clear pattern emerges: A period of ordinary life, not necessarily religious A divinely appointment A call to God and justice Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Missions Consider the story of Moses: Concealed at birth, Moses spent his early years raised in the Egyptian court of Pharoah himself and later lived as a fugitive in exile after killing an Egyptian. He spent years in Midian, tending sheep for his father-in-law and living a life far removed from the halls of power. It was only when Moses encountered the burning bush on Mount Sinai, that he received his divine summons. God commanded Moses to return to Egypt with a divine mission: to confront Pharaoh and deliver the Israelites. From that point onward, Moses assumed his role as a prophet and reformer, with God’s guidance and a mission that would change the course of history. Before receiving revelation, Prophet Muhammad too lived an outwardly, entirely ordinary life. Orphaned at a young age, he grew up under the care of his grandfather and then his uncle. He worked as a shepherd and later a trader. Muhammad lived simply, supporting his family and earning the respect of all who knew him, yet he never sought power or recognition. It was at the age of forty, in the solitude of the Cave of Hira, that Muhammad received the first words of divine revelation. At that moment, he became the chosen Messenger, called to summon his people to the worship of one God, and to a life of justice, mercy and truth in a divine calling that would reshape the world. During the early years of his prophethood, Prophet Muhammad called his family and those closest to him to the message of Islam. It was this period of invitation, as the message gradually began to spread more openly and eventually reached the wider community, that ultimately led to the migration to Medina and the establishment of the first Muslim community. In a similar manner, narrations indicate that the Mahdi will begin by gathering a core group of supporters and calling people to God. Over time, his dawah will expand to reach an ever-wider audience, that ultimately leads to the manifestation of a divine just state, following a pattern established by the Prophet himself. Many other prophets lived normal lives, only stepping into their prophetic roles after receiving clear guidance from God.  Joseph  was a young shepherd sold into slavery by his brothers, later rising to prominence in Egypt after being chosen by God. David, the youngest son of Jesse, tended sheep and was largely overlooked, until God through the prophet Samuel, anointed him as the future king. Jesus was a carpenter prior to being declared the Messiah. Prophets such as Ezekiel, Daniel, Elisha, Amos, and Samuel also emerged from very ordinary backgrounds to deliver God’s message, emphasizing that many prophets had typical lives often indistinguishable from those around them, before stepping into their roles as messengers of God. Many accounts of the prophets mention mistakes or even sins of these men of God, raising the question: h ow do we explain these failings in relation to their prophethood? The answer is explained by Aba Al-Sadiq in a Q&A regarding this very topic . Prophets are fully protected from sin at the moment of their divine appointment, after reaching a certain rank through sincere striving, deeds and dedication. It is only after this, when they become divinely guided leaders, that they are considered infallible. Stories of prophets making mistakes or sins recount events that took place before their divine appointment and infallibility. This journey of the prophets from ordinary individuals to divinely protected guides is a pattern reflected in the life of the Mahdi. The Mahdi’s early years pass as normal, with no outward religiosity, in fact his life may even be considered as "sinful" to others. As  with the prophets before, t he Mahdi’s infallibility is granted at the moment of his divine appointment, rather than being an inherent trait from birth. This is why, in certain hadiths, the Mahdi is described as living an everyday life before he is called to his mission, from a normal life to the role of a divinely guided leader, entrusted with filling the earth with justice and guiding humanity to God. From the Ordinary to the Divinely Chosen Aba Al-Sadiq’s journey perfectly mirrors this prophetic precedent. He lived an ordinary life until his divine appointment and subsequent call to the supremacy of God. His testimony confirms this reality. Aba Al-Sadiq has consistently stated that he did not know himself to be one of the Mahdis until he was informed by Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan. At that moment, he was entrusted with divine leadership and a sacred mission, echoing the pattern described in the lives of past prophets.  This experience directly parallels that of Ahmed Al-Hassan himself, who likewise lived a normal life and became aware of his divine position only after being informed by Imam Al-Mahdi. In “The Goal of the Wise,” Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan recounts, “It never even crossed my mind once that I was a Mahdi… It was only when your Grandfather (Imam Mahdi) reminded me of myself did I remember.” (The Goal of the Wise, Aba Al-Sadiq, Door 23, p. 274) As we see, both Aba Al-Sadiq and Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan began their call only after receiving a clear, divinely ordained appointment. Their journeys, from normal lives to divine leadership, and their subsequent calls inviting people to God, closely mirror the pattern of the prophets throughout history. Consequently, the hadith “Allah will rectify him in a single night” is far more than a mysterious prediction, it is a blueprint for confirming the identity of the Mahdi. Aba Al-Sadiq’s ordinary, non-religious background and life, his sudden appointment, and his call to God are the very fulfillment of this prophecy, a confirmation of Aba Al-Sadiq’s claim to be the divinely appointed leader of our time.  Ironically, the non-working scholars use Aba Al-Sadiq’s past to dismiss his call. In doing so, they ignore the very hadiths and prophetic traditions that describe that the Mahdi, too, lives such a life before his divine appointment. Their condemnation is not a mark against Aba Al-Sadiq, but rather speaks volumes of their own failure to recognize the pattern of God’s guidance, a pattern clearly reflected in the very hadiths they so often repeat. The Prophet said: "Allah will bring out from concealment al-Mahdi from my Family and just before the Day of Judgment." (Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Vol. 1, p. 99) Does the Mahdi Know Himself? Many Muslims, when asked about the Mahdi, will confidently repeat that “even he won’t know he’s the Mahdi until the time comes.” The persistence of the myth that the Mahdi is not informed of his identity and mission until his emergence has real consequences: it directly affects the community’s ability to recognize the actual signs of the Mahdi, and to follow the Mahdi when he appears.  Imagine the confusion if the Mahdi himself is in the dark about his own identity: how could anyone else possibly recognize him? How can the community pledge allegiance, or heed his guidance, if the Mahdi is as unaware of his own mission as everyone else and there is no call to God?  In contrast, if the Mahdi is informed of his identity and divinely appointed, openly calls to God, fulfilling the prophesied signs, and embodying the qualities mentioned in traditions, then the community has clear criteria by which to recognize, support, and unite behind him, as is the case today. The Qur’an warns, “How can you disbelieve while to you are recited the verses of Allah and among you is His Messenger?” (Qur’an 3:101) . Just as the presence and awareness of the Messenger was a proof upon his people in his time, so too is the Mahdi’s presence and public call a decisive proof upon the people of this era. The insistence by scholars that any self-knowledge or dawah disqualifies someone from being a Mahdi is based on interpretation of tradition rather than explicit, authentic hadith. In this stance of theirs, they ignore that the very definition of "Mahdi" is "the guide." If the Mahdi does not know his own identity, he cannot fulfill his divinely appointed role to guide others.  Moreover, the importance of knowing the Imam of one’s time is a foundational principle in Islam, to the extent that “Whoever dies without recognizing the Imam of his time dies the death of ignorance (Jahiliyyah).”  This underscores that recognizing and following the true leader is not optional, it is essential. Yet, some scholars claim that the Imam of the time does not even recognize himself. The supposed dilemma between the Mahdi not knowing his identity or having a Call to God, and his role as a divinely appointed reformer is in fact, a false dilemma. The journey of the Mahdi, as reflected in both authentic narrations and the lives of previous prophets, follows a clear pattern: Initially, the Mahdi lives an ordinary life, not openly religious, and unaware of his divine role. At a divinely appointed moment, he is informed of his true identity and mission, just as Moses and Prophet Muhammad were called by God at a specific point in their lives. Once appointed, he takes on his public role, fulfilling the prophesied signs and openly calling people to God. The Necessity of a Public Call The idea spread by the non-working scholars that the Mahdi will simply appear with a group of supporters, without a prior public call, stands in direct contradiction to the prophetic pattern. Figures such as Noah, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad all received direct divine guidance, began their missions by openly calling people to God and justice, and faced fierce opposition, often from the religious elite, long before they were widely recognized or accepted.  For example: Noah called his people for 950 years, enduring mockery and persecution, yet never ceased his invitation (Qur’an 29:14). Abraham stood alone against his entire society, calling to monotheism, even as he was cast into the fire (Qur’an 21:51-70). Moses confronted Pharaoh, the most powerful tyrant, and called the Children of Israel to freedom and faith (Qur’an 20:24-47). Jesus openly preached, gathered disciples, and faced relentless opposition (Qur’an 3:52). Muhammad spent 23 years tirelessly calling to God, enduring exile, boycott, and war. The Mahdi, as a divinely appointed reformer, calls humanity to the truth. This necessitates a dawah. A glance at his purpose makes this clear. The Mahdi’s mission is extraordinary: he is prophesied to fill the world with justice and equity after it has been filled with oppression and injustice.  The Prophet said: “The Mahdi will fill the earth with justice as it was filled with tyranny.” (Sunan ibn Majah, Hadith 4083) The Mahdi’s mission is to warn humanity, call them back to God, and prepare the ground for the final victory of justice. This does not happen overnight. The Mahdi does not emerge suddenly without warning. He builds a community, faces opposition, and gathers the righteous. How otherwise can the Mahdi fulfill the divine plan to “fill the earth with justice” if he does not first warn, invite, and gather the righteous? His mission is to lead a movement of transformation, and that begins with a call.  To claim the Mahdi will emerge silently without a dawah or call is as illogical as claiming a general can win a war without issuing orders. How can the Mahdi lead a global revival if he has not first called people to his cause?  Let us apply pure logic: How can the Mahdi gather followers if he never calls them? How can he be recognized if he never publicly declares his mission? How can he face opposition, as all hadiths state, if he never challenges the status quo? Sunni sources also provide evidence of a Call:  “People will come to him and bring him out against his will and swear allegiance to him between the Corner and the Maqam…” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 4286). How can this happen if he has not already gathered attention through a call? There is a distinct phase preceding the emergence of the Mahdi in which he gathers sincere supporters and invites people to the path of God. This period, often referred to as the "appearance," is characterized by the Mahdi’s active invitation to God. As the Qur’an commands: “And let there be among you a group inviting to good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong. Those are the successful.” (Qur’an, Chapter 3 (Al-Imran), Verse 104) The prophets and divinely appointed guides are sent as warners and leaders, calling humanity back to God. In line with this principle, Aba Al-Sadiq has called people to the supremacy of God, urging them to turn away from falsehood. He has repeatedly warned of the consequences of ignoring God’s guidance, emphasizing that divine punishment is always preceded by clear warnings and opportunities for repentance. This approach, in accordance with Qur’anic tradition, reinforces the legitimacy of Aba Al-Sadiq’s claim and the urgency of his message. "And We would never punish ˹a people˺ until We have sent a messenger ˹to warn them˺." (Qur’an, Chapter 17 (Al-Isra), Verse 15) The Scholars’ Rejection: A Sign of Authenticity Aba Al-Sadiq, despite his clear fulfillment of the signs that the non-working scholars claim to honor, is not considered legitimate by the so-called Islamic scholars. This brings us to another widely held misconception: that the scholars of the end times will be the ones to recognize and endorse the Mahdi. In reality, this idea is not only unsupported, but actually contradicted by numerous prophetic narrations which state that the Mahdi will face intense hostility from the scholars, who will reject his rulings as they are beyond their comprehension and contrary to their established interpretations. This opposition is not unique but a fulfillment of prophecy and a sign of authenticity. Just as the rabbis opposed Jesus and the religious leaders rejected previous prophets, the scholars of the end times are foretold to resist the Mahdi’s call.  The prophesied hostility is being fulfilled today in the case of Aba Al-Sadiq. Non-working scholars across the Muslim world have issued decrees against him and labeled his teachings as heretical, precisely as foretold in the narrations. This widespread opposition from the non-working scholars stands as a powerful sign of authenticity, echoing the experiences of all true prophets and divinely appointed leaders throughout history. In the face of this opposition, Aba Al-Sadiq’s unwavering call to God and justice continues to grow, inviting sincere seekers to recognize the fulfillment of prophecy in our own time. Conclusion Despite frequent claims to the contrary, when Sunni hadiths are examined without bias and in their full context, they do not undermine Aba Al-Sadiq, rather, they reinforce his legitimacy. The hadiths about the Mahdi, such as “Allah will rectify him in a single night,” mirror the path of Aba Al-Sadiq who lived a life among people that was not visibly religious, similar to prophets of the past, and only came forward as Mahdi after divine appointment. As we see, the narrations do not discredit, rather they serve as a proof for Aba Al-Sadiq as the divinely appointed leader in our time , a living testimony that God’s presence and guidance has not ceased but continues to manifest in our age, for those who recognize it.

This trilogy begins with why the Jewish people rejected Jesus, followed by why Christians rejected Muhammad, and finally why Muslims reject the Mahdi. This pattern is explained by cognitive dissonance theory, one of the most influential social theories in modern social psychology. Many claim they would accept figures like Jesus or Muhammad if they lived during their times. It is easier to accept them today because the majority view them as revered figures, no longer walking the earth, and their teachings have been accepted over centuries. Yet, during their lifetimes, they faced much opposition and rejection.  All people have a worldview, and we are often deeply attached to our ideas. However, we must open ourselves to the possibility that we might be wrong, which is a difficult task. Even in neuroscience, it is known that learning new things is easier than detaching from deeply held beliefs. Yet, if we understand how this process works, it can allow us to be wrong. Neuroscientist and psychologist Mark R. Leary, Ph.D., and his colleagues found that people who practice what they call intellectual humility  are more capable of evaluating evidence. Intellectual humility allows individuals to assess evidence, even when it challenges their existing views, and involves recognizing that one’s beliefs may be open to the possibility of being wrong. Embracing intellectual humility is critical in fields like medicine, where cognitive dissonance can lead to harmful denial (e.g., ignoring diagnoses), while humility enables understanding based on the evidence. First, I want to explain the Theory of Dissonance , which is well-known when dealing with medical problems, in plain English.  We can observe this in various examples, such as unhealthy behaviors like eating junk food or smoking, or when patients need to change their lifestyle but resist doing so. Today, for example, it is widely recognized that smoking can lead to lung cancer and pulmonary emphysema. Cigarette boxes explicitly warn that "this product could kill you." These warnings are visible everywhere, from stores to airports. Yet, people continue smoking. Why is this the case? Functional beliefs,  such as "Smoking calms me down when I am stressed or upset," "Smoking helps me concentrate better," "Smoking is an important part of my life," and "Smoking makes it easier for me to socialize," often justify smoking behavior.  Similarly, risk-minimizing beliefs,  like "The medical evidence that smoking is harmful is exaggerated," "One has to die of something, so why not enjoy yourself and smoke?" and "Smoking is no riskier than many other things people do," can downplay the dangers of smoking. Even though people might deny the truth, justify their actions, ignore facts, or reject them by searching for biased studies or rationalizing their behavior, they often convince themselves they are exceptions to the rule. The same applies in other areas of life, such as empathizing with a particular political candidate or ideology or choosing an unsuitable partner. We sometimes deny evidence to feel safe and maintain our existing ideas or behaviors. It is essential to understand the reasons why this happens.  The theory of dissonance has studied the reasons. The theory was first studied by Leon Festinger (May 8, 1919 – February 11, 1989), an American social psychologist who originated cognitive dissonance and social comparison theory, to explore how individuals  tend to make changes to justify stressful behavior . This can occur through various mechanisms: adding new elements to the cognition causing psychological dissonance ( rationalization ), believing that "people get what they deserve" ( just-world fallacy ), selectively accepting certain information while rejecting or ignoring others ( selective perception ), or avoiding circumstances and contradictory information likely to increase the magnitude of cognitive dissonance ( confirmation bias ). Festinger's study of the Seekers cult revealed how cognitive dissonance makes individuals reinterpret reality rather than abandon deeply held beliefs. He conducted a study in 1954 on a small UFO cult (called the Seekers), led by Dorothy Martin. The cult believed that the world would end on December 21, 1954. Members of the cult were highly committed, having abandoned their jobs, families, and possessions to prepare for the event. On December 21, the group isolated themselves and awaited rescue at midnight. No UFO arrived. Dorothy Martin claimed to receive a message from the aliens stating that the cult had saved the Earth. They believed their collective devotion had averted the disaster. So faced with undeniable proof that their beliefs were wrong, the followers did not abandon their faith. Believing their faith had spared humanity, they instead began evangelizing about the truth of their message with renewed enthusiasm. Remarkably, this cult persisted and is still active today. Cognitive Dissonance and Religion "Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.'" ( Mark 6:4) Jesus stated that his initial mission was to the "sheep of Israel," who were supposed to be waiting for him.  Even today, books are written denying Jesus as the Messiah, such as Why Doesn't Judaism Accept the Christian's Messiah?, a two-volume work spanning over 800 pages. Others create videos or search for ways to argue against his Messianic status. These efforts show a lack of emotional acknowledgment that they might be wrong and they continue arguing over it, because it causes them psychological discomfort. One individual explained that he made videos because of the emotional attachment Jews have to their belief system, fearing they might reject the truth appointed by God. So even today they are arguing the Christians’ point of view to reject them, but are they correct? This ongoing debate between Jewish and Christian perspectives can be explained by cognitive dissonance, which occurs when someone holds two contradictory beliefs. This psychological discomfort motivates people to try to feel better. And so when faced with dissonance, individuals may respond in various ways:   1.  Change the behaviour or the cognition  ("I'll stop smoking or eating or  being attached to this idea anymore"). This is the ideal response but is more difficult to achieve. 2.  Justify the behaviour or the cognition  by changing the conflicting cognition ("I'm allowed to cheat on my diet every once in a while"). Another reason some deny the truth, even if they see it, is that people are often attached to a certain group or have invested all their effort into it. They perceive this denial as a form of self-defense. They may use defense mechanisms to avoid social discomfort or the loss it might cause them. a) Trying to grant consistency . The greater the personal value of the elements, the greater the magnitude of the dissonance in the relation. b) Effort justification . Bias is belief perseverance: when beliefs persist after the evidence for them is shown to be false. c) Mindfulness . People may deal with cognitive inconsistencies without being aware of them. Some people try to  ignore them. d) Searching for biased information: People may seek information that supports their beliefs. Confirmation bias, also called confirmatory bias or myside bias, is the tendency to search for, interpret, favour, and recall information in a way that confirms one's beliefs or hypotheses while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities. 3. Justify the behaviour or the cognition by adding new behaviours or cognitions  ("I'll spend thirty extra minutes at the gymn to work off the doughnut"). 4. Ignore or deny information that conflicts with existing beliefs  ("This doughnut is not a high-sugar food"). Other people realize they have made a mistake, which is more untestable and post-decisional dissonance: trying to justify their behavior by focusing on the positives of what they chose. Why are the people who claim to wait for a Messianic figure the ones who reject the Messiah the most? First, we have to understand the reasons why Jewish people reject Jesus, why people reject Mohammed, and why people reject the Mahdi. It may seem quite different, but they all share some similarities that an open mind would understand. They want a Messianic figure, which is what they are waiting for, but if something doesn’t happen in the way that aligns with their ideology, they deny it. The anointed one is always mentioned by the previous prophet or messenger in one way or another and proclaimed as the one chosen by God. Also as we recall, they possess knowledge and call others to recognize the sovereignty of God Almighty. Jesus came to the people of Israel, claiming to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah. The Jews were waiting for a Messiah, and God sent Jesus first to them, to Israel, as is seen in the passage where he encounters a Canaanite woman crying for her daughter, who was possessed and suffering terribly. She asked him to cure her. They knew a certain man would come. At that moment, there was no reason for them to assume that Jesus wasn’t the Messiah they had been waiting for. They were awaiting him just as they had awaited Moses when he came. 'I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I commend him.' (Deuteronomy 18:18) So, they knew that the Messianic figure would come; he proclaims that he is the one who fulfills the prophecy. "Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." (Isaiah 61:1) We can see the fulfillment of this in the Bible. Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. (Luke 4:20) In our day, they can argue over many things, but if our imagination returns to that moment, what happened was that instead of accepting Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy, they were trying to kill Jesus. "All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, to throw him off the cliff." (Luke 4:28-29) They displayed cognitive dissonance - effort justification , when beliefs persist even after evidence proving them false is presented.  This case of cognitive dissonance is similar to that of one of the most important prophets of the Jewish people, Moses, whom the Israelites were waiting for. He also came to fulfill a previous prophecy, though he was never explicitly named in earlier scriptures. They were relying on a text that referred to him vaguely. 'Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there.” (Genesis 15:13) The Jews said that if they didn’t know whether someone was the Messiah, they had to ask the scholars. However, they used a text that referred to this practice out of context. The people never went to ask the scholars who the prophet was. The references to Moses did not name him explicitly:  'And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”' (Genesis 50:25) The verse looks forward to a future deliverer, but does not name him. When the Exodus finally occurred centuries later, Moses took Joseph’s bones with him as the Israelites left Egypt (Exodus 13:19). If we are looking for a clearly anointed one based on fulfilment of prophecy, we must be fair and acknowledge that the majority of God's promises are conditional, as we can read several times, including during the time of Moses. God first promised the Holy Land to the Israelites in Genesis 12 when He promised Abraham that He would give them a place where they could live. The fulfillment of this was conditional on Israel’s obedience to God’s commands.  God's promises often depend on people’s obedience to His laws, which is why messengers like Jesus, who fulfilled prophecies, were sometimes rejected even though they met God's requirements. In our day and age, people have found more reasons to deny Jesus as a prophet. They talk about certain topics that I will mention briefly. They say Jesus was not a prophet for several reasons. Let's point out some of the most notable ones: 1.   The return of captivity It mentions before God gave them the Holy Land, He said, “'Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward, they will come out with great possessions.'" (Genesis 15:13-14) God’s promise to Abraham about Israel’s enslavement and eventual liberation is unconditional, it occurs regardless of human actions. Other passages, however, are conditional. Yet the conditional nature of some other biblical promises does not disprove Jesus’ prophetic role. The Holy scriptures said, 'And when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything, I command you today.' (Deuteronomy 30:2) This passage ties Israel’s prosperity to their obedience. This includes recognizing and obeying His appointed messengers. So, how can someone who denies the prophet that God sent as a mercy to them believe they are obeying God or expect to receive anything from Him? Even more, they continue misusing this verse as part of their reasoning to deny Jesus. Further, the passage Isaiah 11:11–12 describes a future event where God will regather the remnant of Israel from all over the world, gathering them. Since, Jesus did not accomplish this worldwide gathering, opponents see this as evidence that Jesus did not fulfill the messianic prophecies. "In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel. He will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth." (Isaiah 11:11-12) Does this promise refer to the black banners? Aba Al-Sadiq explains this topic in detail in a video about the return of the people of Israel . 2. The reconstruction of the Temple One of the prophecies is the reconstruction of the Holy Temple, which at that time had not yet been destroyed. Some people use this passage of the building of the temple to deny Jesus. They argue Solomon’s Temple fulfills the prophecy entirely, not Jesus: 'When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.' (2 Samuel 7:12-13) God’s promises depend on obedience. Israel’s history shows that blessings such as the presence of the Temple were removed through rebellion. The key point I would like to emphasize is that the scriptures show us that the destruction of both Temples resulted from Israel’s mocking of God’s messengers and covenants - including Jesus. "The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians, who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary and did not spare young men or young women, the elderly or the infirm. God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there." (2 Chronicles 36:15 -17, 19) We can find further references to this in Jeremiah 25:8-11, Deuteronomy 28:15-68. Jesus also predicted the destruction of the second temple in the Bible. Jesus linked the Second Temple’s fate to Israel’s rejection of His messianic mission. 'Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.”' (Matthew 24:1-2) If you want to learn more about the rebuilding of the temple, you can watch the video of Aba Al-Sadiq where he discusses this topic . So, cognitive dissonance, in the case of the prophet or messenger, involves establishing new criteria to judge against Jesus as a non-prophetic or non-Messianic figure, while applying separate standards to Moses. This dissonance also leads to disregarding the historical pattern of the Jewish people mocking God’s messengers, actions that resulted in destruction and forfeited divine promises. In other words, these promises were always conditional and did not nullify the prophet or messenger. 3. The period of peace Those who reject Jesus’ messianic role often cite prophecies of a period of immediate peace. The period of peace couldn’t happen during Jesus' time. As we can see, there were many prophecies about it. And of course, we can’t deny that this didn’t happen. 'He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.' (Isaiah 2:4) Also, there are prophecies that talk about animals in peacetime. If you want to learn more about the perspective of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light on the meaning of these prophecies, you can watch this video . 'Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.' (Isaiah 9:7) However, peace has always been the result of following God’s messengers and prophets, while the opposite is the case when their guidance is ignored. '“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”' ( Isaiah 48:22) "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) Also, they explain a time when the wild animals will be with the child. "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them" (Isaiah 11:6). (There is  a fascinating explanation of this passage on our channel.) To challenge the argument that peace only comes to the ones who obey God would be to challenge all the Torah. The Torah repeatedly establishes peace as a conditional blessing tied to obedience. This principle, that peace and blessings are conditional on obedience, is seen throughout the Torah in many instances, including the account of Korah’s rebellion: In the time of Moses, some Israelites who had initially followed Moses out of Egypt later rebelled against him, despite their inclusion in God’s promise to enter the Promised Land. This event was known as Korah’s Rebellion, where the earth opened and swallowed Korah and those who opposed Moses. This judgment reaffirmed God’s appointment of Moses and Aaron as leaders and served as a warning against challenging divinely ordained authority. We can review this account in the book of Numbers 16, 'And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions.' (Numbers 16:32) The rebellion of Korah in Numbers 16 highlights the Torah’s principle that peace and blessing depend on obedience to God’s authority. 4. The Kingdom of Jesus on the earth This is perhaps the most significant point of opposition raised against Christians, as opponents argue that the fulfillment of prophecy must include this earthly kingdom, a claim that cannot be denied.  Additionally, it is essential to acknowledge that Jewish tradition anticipates the arrival of two distinct messianic figures: Moshiach ben David (Messiah from David’s lineage) and Moshiach ben Yosef (Messiah from Joseph’s lineage). Moshiach ben David: Isaiah 11:1-10,Jeremiah 23:5-6, Ezekiel 37:24-28, Amos 9:11, Micah 5:2. Moshiach ben Yosef: Zechariah 12:10, Obadiah 1:18, Ezekiel 37:15-19, Genesis 49:22-26. Moshiach ben Yosef is a figure associated with suffering, hardship and betrayal, commonly associated with Jesus. 5. The establishment of a divine kingship Historically, scholars are the ones who have constantly opposed the prophets and messengers. The great sin of the people is to pledge allegiance to fake rulers or kings. ( https://youtu.be/c97Zsur1v_w?si=CW6f0J7oFnDLatfL ) Substantiated evidence has proven that the scholars are the ones who denied the ones that God had sent to the people. And the people constantly reject the ones sent by God. 'And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.' (1 Samuel 8:7) When the Jewish people asked about recognizing God’s appointed messengers, they were instructed to consult scholars. However, history shows that those who truly followed God and His prophets were rarely the majority. Rejecting God’s messengers equates to rejecting God Himself, as Scripture makes clear. To relate this to cognitive dissonance: They used part of the prophecies related to the Messianic figure that God had promised to them, and based on their shortcoming, they  were not fulfilled... For example, the Israelites’ disobedience resulted in their 40-year wilderness journey for a distance that should have taken 11 days (Deuteronomy 1:2). They also tried to kill Moses, as it is written: 'And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”' (Numbers 14:4) 'The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.' (Numbers 14:10) So, God said He would punish the people. Then Moses interceded for them. God forgave them but none of them entered the promised land. 'The Lord ’s anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.' (Numbers 32:13) In part, this was because they disobeyed. It is even written in the Bible that God wanted to destroy them. The pattern of rejecting God’s messengers exposes a recurring pattern. As we see from the examples in the Bible, this cognitive dissonance, clinging to selective criteria and interpretations of prophecy to avoid uncomfortable truths leads to spiritual paralysis. Why didn’t the Christians accept Mohammed? If I must summarize in a few words, it’s because they think the bible is a closed book as the Jewish think, rejecting ongoing revelation. They dismiss Jesus’ teachings about  the coming of other prophets. As an ex-Christian, I once held those beliefs. At one point, I thought that if the Bible isn’t complete or true, then God doesn’t exist. Perhaps someone fabricated these texts to manipulate us, and all religion is man-made.  Another reason is Christianity’s grace-based salvation, which some perceive as an “easy path” to salvation. 'If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.' (Romans 10:9) This is an easy way to salvation. The simplicity appeals to many. Accepting ongoing revelation (later prophets) introduces uncertainty that challenges this simplicity. Why don’t Muslims accept the will of Prophet Mohammed? Some days ago, I was speaking with a Sunni Muslim who denied that the Prophet Muhammad made a testament, as Jesus did. A testament is an Islamic obligation and is written in the Holy Quran. We discussed this for a while, and one argument led to another. He claimed that the Prophet was in shock in his final moments.I asked him, as a doctor, what kind of shock he was referring to, as I have seen many people die, and  many of them make their testament even at the last minute. The conversation then shifted suddenly to Aisha, one of the Prophet’s wives. He asked me if the Prophet could have made a mistake by marrying her. I referred to the Holy Quran, which states that both Sunnis and Shias know she revealed some secrets. God said that if she did not change, Muhammad could divorce her. He then stated, “The Prophet was not capable of making any mistake in his life; he was perfect when he was born and perfect when he passed away.” I replied that if we think this way, it means he did not make a mistake when he was sick and asked for pen and paper to write his testament. At this point, he realized he had contradicted himself. There was an awkward silence before he abruptly dropped the call without explanation. In such cases, arguments often continue until they are stopped by inconsistencies in the other person’s beliefs, beliefs that weren’t irrefutable by themselves then the best way to proceed was to go. It is usually futile to argue with people like this because they do not remain consistent in their arguments. They purposefully distort the truth and misinterpret facts to avoid admitting the truth or that they are wrong. Similarly, many Jews say they do not believe in Jesus simply because they are Jewish. This means they do not spend time investigating the reasons but instead rely on cultural or beliefs passed down from their parents. This behavior can be described as denial as a defense mechanism. As you may already know, much of our cognition operates at subconscious or semiconscious levels. Belief systems are usually formed during childhood and shaped by parents. The purpose of this defense mechanism is to avoid distress caused by reorganizing one’s thoughts and behaviors. For some people, their lives are so deeply rooted in their beliefs that changing them overnight would cause mental distress or even a breakdown. The denial of prophets and messengers across religions is explained by cognitive dissonance, a psychological mechanism that causes individuals to reject opposing information to keep their existing worldview. As cognitive dissonance theory reveals, Jesus, Muhammad, and the ongoing conflict over figures like the Mahdi all arise from the tendency to cling to comfortable falsehoods rather than face transformative truths. To avert this, we must have the courage to question our views, even when truth demands change. It is only by embracing uncomfortable realities that we can overcome the cycles of self-deception that have, throughout time, turned hearts away from the awaited Messiah.

On April 20th, 2025, Easter Sunday, believers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light from all around the world to inform the people that the true Pope is Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq. Some believers took it upon themselves to drive all the way from their home countries to the heart of Catholicism in Vatican City where Pope Francis would give a brief speech and blessings to the congregation of his followers. The prophesied Black Banners of the East were raised for the first time in the heart of the Vatican, with shirts showcasing their faith in the Riser Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq . They managed to even unroll a huge banner with the image of Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq which was written, “Time has come for a new Pope”. Several hours later the works of the Ansars bore great fruit, as the false Pope Francis passed due to what they say was a stroke, which led to a coma and irreversible cardiac arrest. This was nothing short of a biblical miracle likening to the earth swallowing Korah the achnemesis of Moses. Today the earth has swallowed Pope Francis. The message was clear, a false shepherd has fallen, and the true shepherd has risen. However, for over 2,000 years the Catholic Church has had many Popes come and go, the first Pope being Simon Peter and the latest Pope today being Leo XIV who succeeded Pope Francis. An important question now is raised, how does the Catholic Church choose the next Pope? To get a better understanding, lets go over the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. At the bottom of the list we have the deacons who are under the priests, then you have bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and finally the Pope. When a Pope dies, a new one is chosen in a highly secretive gathering known as the “conclave,” meaning “with key” in Latin. A Papal Conclave is a gathering of the college of Cardinals in order to elect the next Pope, a voting process that can take as long as a day to even several weeks. This year, there were 135 Cardinals, 133 of whom managed to participate in electing the next Pope; most were all around the world, but it is compulsory upon them to gather together at the Vatican after the death of the Pope. Once gathered the conclave is orchestrated by the Dean of the College of Cardinals. On the first day of the conclave, cardinals gather for a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. They then assemble at the Pauline Chapel before walking to the Sistine Chapel to the chant of the “Veni Creator” hymn. The Cardinals must take a vow of secrecy, uttering the following formula: “ And I, (first name) Cardinal (last name), do promise, pledge and swear. So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand ,” each says, in order of seniority. The Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations then gives the order of “Extra omnes” – meaning “Everybody out.” After this, the doors are shut, and nobody from the outside world will see them until a new Pope is elected. The voting then takes place in the morning and afternoon. After all votes are cast and carefully reviewed, the Scrutineers add up the votes for each individual who received one. If the candidate receives two-thirds of the total vote, he becomes the next Pope. If not, the voting must be redone, even if it takes weeks. The people outside are informed about the results through the burning of ballots – which takes place after each session. Black smoke indicates that a two-thirds majority vote has not been met, whereas white smoke signals the heralding of the new Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Catholic Church. The Dean of the College of Cardinals then asks the newly elected Pope if he accepts his election and what papal name he wishes to take. And not too long after, the new Pope makes his way to the balcony to address his followers around the world. You would think that the method of choosing the next Pope was a process that was established by Jesus Christ himself, however, nothing confirms or even hints at such an assumption. The rites which the Catholics perform in selecting a new Pope go against the teachings of God and his messengers, including Jesus himself. The argument used is that the Holy Spirit guides the cardinals as to the correct choice for the Pope. However, if we had to believe that this system is truly guided by the Holy Spirit, then a two-third majority would instead be a unanimous decision. The longest conclave took place after the death of Pope Clement IV. It took cardinals nearly three years from November 1268 until September 1271 to select a new Pope. In the end, Gregory X was elected by “compromise”. Does the Holy Spirit compromise when it comes to selecting a leader? Certainly not, for we find Prophets and Messengers and Kings being appointed directly by their predecessors. Elections and voting never had their roots in God or his religion, something even the children of Israel were aware of: "So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”- (The Bible, Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 8, Verses 4-7) In the end God appointed for them Saul as King. (Book of 1 Samuel, Chapter 16, Verse 1). The election of the Pope as a successor is null and void because only God can and should appoint His own vicegerent. This is evident from Genesis 1, where God appointed Adam to rule over the earth and its creatures. The election process is a human innovation that was formalized only in the 11th century, long after Jesus. It is clearly not a practice that Jesus established or taught. Before that, many Popes were elected and anointed by leaders of the Roman Empire, further highlighting the corruption of the process. There are many stories throughout the Old Testament which affirm that appointment is not done by the choice of the people, but only by the choice and Will of God through his appointed successors in the land. Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.The king then took an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”- (The Bible, Book of 1 Kings, Chapter 1, Verses 28-30) In the New Testament, we find the same as the Prophet John the Baptist appointed Jesus Christ at the very start of the New Testament: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”- (The Bible, Book of John, Chapter 1, Verses 29-34) Contrary to Christian belief, Jesus Christ knew very well that he would not be amongst the people forever, just as the past Prophets and Messengers appointed a successor, so too must Jesus appoint his:“ While I am in the world, I am the light of the world .” - (The Bible , Book of John, Chapter 9, Verse 5) Jesus Christ, in front of his disciples, made it clear who his successor would be, and it was none other than Simon Peter, the first Pope: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.- (The Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 16, Verses 18-20) The Papacy has usurped the heirs of Jesus by electing and allowing false Popes and wolves in sheeps clothing to fill in the seat of Simon Peter instead of the legitimate Popes, Prophet Mohammed and his successors, the twelve Imams and twelve Mahdis mentioned in the Will of Prophet Mohammed. Today, the second of the twelve Mahdis Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq is the true heir to the throne of Peter and the Messenger of Elijah to the Jews, the Messenger of Jesus to the Christians, and the Messenger of the twelfth Imam, Imam Al-Mahdi to the Muslims. To deny him is to deny the ones who sent him, and to accept him to accept the ones who sent him. We have recognized him, will you?   My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (- The Holy Bible, Book of John, Chapter 140, Verse 27) Just like Catholics believe that their spiritual leader, the Pope, should have his own independent state with its own laws — the Vatican — we also believe that the Mahdis should lead their own state with its own laws. We believe that God has promised that one day, in our lifetime, we will be given our own land to rule. This Divine Just State will be based on equality and justice for everyone, allowing people of all faiths to practice freely under the rule of God.

From fables like the “Boy who cried wolf,”  to the man who shouted “Help! A lion is attacking my sheep,” most of us from the east to the west grew up hearing the negative consequences of lying. We were also warned in scripture, such as Leviticus 19:11, “Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.” But in the end times—lies, falsehood and deception would rule the day.  Today, the internet has become one of the weapons and tools for the father of lies—distorting the truth and twisting religion. Fake News has left the world confused, not knowing who or what to trust. I’m sure you have found yourself at times scrolling through TikTok, YouTube, Twitter or other social media platforms, wondering if an intriguing/shocking video or headline you had come across was true or not. Perhaps, you shared it with friends, or family or on your social platforms, only to leave you embarrassed when you found out hours or days later that it was fake news or doctored by AI. Even while you’re reading this now, you may be wondering if these are really my words or the work of ChatGPT or another AI app. Who can tell these days? If we were to define Fake news, it quite simply refers to disinformation or misinformation presented as news, where falsehood is presented as truth by so-called “reliable sources.” The intention is simple… to deceive and mislead the readers to believe any agenda set forth by the creator of the lie. This could come in the form of fabricated stories, unethical articles or reports that have no basis in fact.  “Click Bait” or misleading headlines meant to sensationalise or exaggerate the content of an article or video, is common practice in today’s culture. Content creators also manipulate content, alter genuine news articles and deliberately take words out of context to misrepresent the truth. Satire or parody has seen an upgrade, using the latest AI tools to create “memes” or alter images and videos to defame or shame individuals . People also exaggerate natural disasters using AI software. I’m sure many of you at some point have stumbled upon some AI-doctored “ufo sighting” or “celestial phenomena,” shocking at first—until your friend nudges you and says, “come on, that’s a fake video.” Just as “time speeds up” in the time of the Mahdi, fake news also spreads rapidly—especially on social media. Spreading misinformation today can have significant consequences on public opinion; shaping political and religious discourse, undermining trust in legitimate news sources and ultimately the trust of everyone who posts content online. After all, in today’s world, everyone can be an “influencer,” “expert” or “journalist” on the internet. And what’s even more alarming, the lies and the AI software are getting more advanced by the day and it is increasingly more difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood.  Although the internet is the worst when it comes to “Fake News,” it did help expose another threat to truth—the “mainstream media.” Mainstream networks claim to “strive for accuracy and journalistic integrity,” and in the past, the general public would always take their word as a gold standard. But there have been many examples where outlets have been highly criticised, even condemned, for propagating misinformation or fake news. Whether it be human error, deliberate lying, the falsifying of information, misinterpretations, or sensationalism—the consequences are the same for the parties on the receiving end.  Every network is looking for the next big breaking news story, looking for the next piece that will generate the most views, or turn the most eyeballs and give them an edge over their competitors. Networks such as CNN , Fox News, MSNBC, the New York Times and the Guardian, among so many others in this new gladiator arena, have all been called out on a number of these examples above, and have faced a great deal of backlash from the public. A prime and devastating example is the New York Times’ coverage in the lead-up to the Iraq War , where it published a series of now-infamous stories claiming Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction. These reports, which leaned heavily on dubious intelligence and unreliable sources, helped build the public case for a war that would later be deemed unjustified. Years later, the Times publicly admitted to major editorial failures and lack of proper scrutiny, but by then the damage—hundreds of thousands of lives lost and a region destabilized—had already been done. It remains one of the most consequential media failures of the 21st century. “Teflon Don” and the New Era of Fake News Politicians and Religious leaders are no strangers to “Fake News.” Prominent figures in the world, such as the (POTUS) Donald Trump have mitigated carefully through the barrage of bullets being fired at him to the point that he was dubbed by his support base as “Teflon Don,” meaning he is “bullet-proof” when fake news is fired at him.  Capitalising on the growing frustration and disillusionment that many Americans have been feeling towards the fake news online and especially in the mainstream media, the general public have come to know the mainstream news networks as biased and untrustworthy. No one in our recent times has dismissed accusations publicly as “fake news” more than Donald Trump. And this has resonated with Trump’s supporters, spear-heading his rise to power.  In Trump’s first campaign during the 2016 presidential elections, he often referred to mainstream media as “fake news,” a phrase that not only resonated with his followers, but with many around the world. Trump’s rise to prominence can be attributed, in part, to his ability to harness social media platforms to bypass traditional news outlets and fire back at any opposition, calling out many allegations/accusations as “fake news.”  Political experts took note on how Donald Trump handled the onslaught of attacks and he campaigned a lot in the final days of the most recent elections, on well-known podcasts online—instead of mainstream outlets, which generated hundreds of millions of more viewers than traditional mainstream channels before. This catapulted Trump into a seemingly impossible second term, after being found guilty of a staggering 34 felony counts .  The Trump support-base doesn’t care anymore about what the media has to say, and often rally around this notion that “the Don” is a “victim of fake news,” a narrative that has only bolstered his popularity among those who feel marginalised by “the establishment.” Now, even when a truthful testimony is given, it is dismissed as “fake news.” In this age of deception, it doesn’t matter if you are political, religious, or just trying to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in the world, it’s important to highlight any hypocrisy coming from all sides who have been victims of “fake news.” Whenever a piece of news comes out against them, it’s fake news, but when they propagate a piece of news against their opposition, it’s expected to be believed as true. Lies are being thrown around from all sides and many political and religious leaders are victims of it, no one is spared and we need to be vigilant and do more due diligence before reporting on matters that are unverified or come from suspicious sources. The Power of Fake News: A Historical Perspective While Donald Trump popularized the term "Fake News" today, the concept has long been used as a geopolitical weapon. Throughout history, fake news has played a significant role in shaping narratives during critical world issues; like the Cold War, Nazi Germany, and during apartheid in the United States. During the Cold War, which spanned from the 1940s to the early 1990s, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union engaged in extensive propaganda campaigns. In America, “the Red Scare” fueled fears of communist infiltration, while incidents like the Gulf of Tonkin were later revealed to be exaggerated, leading to increased military involvement in Vietnam. The Cuban Missile Crisis saw the U.S. government selectively releasing information to rally public support against the Soviets. Meanwhile, the Soviets spread disinformation to undermine Western motives, funding “peace movements” to present themselves as “champions of peace.” A fake copy of the Times from North Korea, with communist propaganda inside In Nazi Germany, propaganda was a key tool for manipulating public opinion. The Nazis used events like “the Reichstag fire,” which they falsely blamed on Communists, to justify civil liberties suspensions. They promoted the "Stab-in-the-Back" myth, falsely accusing Jews of betraying Germany in World War I, and framed their "Euthanasia program” as a “mercy killing for the disabled.” The staged “Gleiwitz incident” was another tactic used to justify the invasion of Poland. Fake news is also a favourite tool of fundamentalists and ideologues—those with a rigid, narrow worldview who feel threatened by what is different. These actors often operate with a specific agenda, whether religious, political, or ideological, and they spread false narratives not simply to mislead, but to fortify their own base by sowing fear, division, and distrust of the “other.” German Newspaper about the Reichstag fire More recently, during apartheid in the U.S., misinformation was used to justify racial segregation and discrimination against Black Americans. This included exaggerating crime rates among Black individuals and perpetuating the "Black rapist" myth to incite fear. Civil rights activists were misrepresented as extremists, and false claims about school integration chaos were spread to maintain racial hierarchies. These narratives reinforced systemic racism and obstructed progress toward equality. Racist propaganda poster The U.S. government, through agencies such as the FBI, deployed massive disinformation campaigns and fake news against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in efforts to undermine his credibility and the civil rights movement. Among the unfounded and baseless accusations were that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had communist ties and there were extensive surveillance and wiretapping operations, monitoring his communications. Those who remember, there was the infamous “suicide letter” that was sent to intimidate him over his personal life. The FBI exaggerated King’s intentions and claimed his movement was involved in violence, and labeled them as “radicals,” rather than a peaceful movement. They created rumours about his sexual orientation, among many other slanderous and defamatory pieces of fake news. This serves as a powerful reminder that false rumours and fake news have long been used as deliberate tools to silence or discredit movements that challenge the status quo . When individuals or groups begin to shift public consciousness or threaten entrenched power structures, misinformation becomes a weapon—one designed not just to confuse, but to destroy reputations, isolate leaders, and fracture collective momentum. These actions from the U.S. government expose the great lengths that the FBI and the mainstream media were willing to go to, in order to discredit a good man in a bad time of history, to break apart the civil rights movement in America. The Increasing Danger of AI and “DeepFakes” Artificial Intelligence has also changed the media landscape forever. What has come to be known as “DeepFakes” will soon call into question any image, video or audio you come across online, and it will impact the world of politics, religion and general news in a way that has never been imagined before. From manipulated images, to fabricated audio and video; these tools of deception are being used by amateurs and professionals alike, young and old—Jew, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Atheist, by everyone. Quite frankly, the people can’t trust their eyes or ears any longer and they can’t trust the information posted online. Even Christians are realising that their discernment is not enough to get them through the dark and raging ocean of lies, to find the pearls of truth on the ground.  “DeepFakes” is one of the most alarming developments in the realm of fake news. “Deepfakes” or hyper-realistic AI-generated videos/images/audio have exploded on the scene and they can manipulate reality in unprecedented ways. Deepfakes have the potential to create scenarios where world leaders appear to be in compromising situations or say controversial things, even when they were never present at the scene or never spoke those words.  This technology poses a significant threat to national security and diplomatic relations, as it can be used to fabricate reality, which could incite violence, division and ruin diplomatic relations. Here is a recent example of what is known as a “DeepFake,” where AI software literally puts words that Donald Trump never said, right in his mouth—and it looks and sounds very real. I myself, coming from a media background for over a decade, spoke with one of my friends and colleagues, Taymour El-Alfy, who has also been in the media for nearly two decades. He agreed, that the video you’re about to watch could easily pass by the majority of people, without realising it’s a “deepfake.” Now imagine, if this video did not have “deepfake” at the end, right now millions of so-called “investigative journalists or documentary filmmakers” who come across a video like this, what would they do? In the matter of hours, there will be thousands of posts on social media and in just a matter of days, podcasts and documentaries will be posted online, speaking about the latest words of Donald Trump. But in reality, it’s fake news… lies, it’s simply not true.  This example demonstrates how easily one could manipulate a public figure's image and voice. There was also a “DeepFake” of former president Obama, forever dubbed as “The New World Order,” that slipped under many radars and spread all over the world. The implications of such technology are profound. As deepfake technology becomes more accessible, the potential for misuse grows; raising urgent questions about regulation and accountability. Around the globe, many political and religious leaders have faced the brunt of deep fake attacks. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other female politicians were targets of “DeepFake Porn Attacks.” Alexandria told the Rolling Stone, “Digitising violent humiliation is like physical rape,” and forewarned that “people are going to kill themselves over this.” She was one of hundreds of thousands of women who have suffered from this.  There is a growing movement online, where users are distorting videos/images/audio of well-known politicians, otherwise known as “Deepfakes” and posting this content online for the world to see. Conspiracy theorists, quick to jump on the “latest and biggest stories” grab this content and repurpose it, and before it is recognised and disproven, the damage is done.  The U.S. Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency has already developed technologies to identify these deepfakes and said, “We have entered a new world where it is going to be difficult to know how to believe what we see.” But as you can see by this admission from the US government and from experts in this technology, no matter the response, “deepfakes” and “fake news” in general, are nearly impossible to stop. False testimonies in this time, whether it be through text, image, video or audio, is the new reality that we all must live with today. The Age of Deception: Fake News in the Time of the Mahdi Fake news has literally become a digital epidemic in this age of technology. It was prophesied by Mohammed and the family of Mohammed, that the Mahdi would appear in this age of deception; where injustice, lies, and false testimonies are rampant. The Mahdi’s role is to guide us all back to the truth and to establish justice and equity in the land. He will expose tyranny and falsehood and establish the Divine Just State. That has been the role thus far of the Mahdi Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem. Aba Al-Sadiq literally means “The Father of truth.” He has been exposing the falsehood of the tyrants and non-working scholars for over a decade, yet billions of people are still under great deception from the great deceiver, that antichrist system, that propagates its lies to the rest of the world.  We are in the hour of the Mahdi. Imam Jaffar Al-Sadiq said: “Verily, during the age of the Qa’im (the Riser, the Mahdi), the believer in the east will see his brother in the west, and the believer in the west will see his brother in the east.” ( Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 391, Hadith 213 ) The world has never been so connected as it is today. Information is literally at our fingertips, and worldwide communication between people of all faiths and backgrounds takes place in the blink of an eye.  There are also narrations from the Ahlul Bayt that mention how the Mahdi will “ speak from his place, yet the whole world will see him. ” In another narration and prophecy, it speaks of how the Mahdi will “ enter the homes like the heat and cold .” Even though it wasn’t understood at the time, social messenger apps and media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, other social media platforms and satellite TV, have made it possible that the Mahdi Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem can speak from his place, yet the whole world can watch him and he is certainly entering hundreds of millions of homes around the world like “the heat and the cold.” Imam Jaffar Al-Sadiq gave us a powerful narration concerning the time of the Mahdi. He warned us of how the Kings, ministers, the general public, reciters of the Quran and false witnesses, will lie and transgress against the truth. He said: “Forbearance will be looked upon as weakness and oppression will be considered a matter of pride. Kings and rulers will be sinners and transgressors. Ministers shall be liars. The general public shall be dishonest. The reciters of the Quran will be transgressors. False testimony will be acceptable. Sins would be committed openly. Laying false allegations will be a common thing. Sinfulness and rebellion will be rife. Evil people would be accorded honour. Witnesses will testify without being asked to do so and other people without recognising the truth and in other than religion, they will give deep thought and give testimony. The World will be given precedence over there Hereafter.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, Chapter 30, Hadith 26) We see clearly from Jaffar Al-Sadiq that in the time of the Mahdi, the Kings and ruling tyrants will be liars and transgressors. Their ministers will propagate their false kingdoms and will lie and do anything to maintain their power. The general public living under these tyrannical systems will not only be deceived, but will be dishonest and help the tyrants deceive the masses and tighten down their restraints, preventing the public from breaking free from the chains of lies and deception, holding them back from the truth and enslaving them through their fear of character assassination and death.  Jaffar Al-Sadiq also warned that “False Testimony” will be acceptable to everyone and will be disseminated as truth. How often do we see this today? Content creators or so-called journalists post a piece of fake news online and without any due diligence, influencers take that information and repurpose its content to sensationalise their platforms to generate more views to boost their pride, get that dopamine hit, and call more followers to themselves and that’s because they live for this world and not the hereafter.  In the narration it states that “Witnesses will testify without being asked to do so…” and this clearly takes place in numbers that are truly untraceable online and in mainstream media. All over the internet and news networks, people are popping up giving false testimonies for attention, or to achieve status, or to character assassinate someone or some organization, or to even be rewarded financial compensation. And worse yet, the words of Jaffar al-Sadiq warn us that the people will “give deep thought” to this and consider it to be true, without verifying the information, and then they too go out and “give testimony” from the false witness as a “reliable source.” The Prophet Mohammed said: “Before the Mahdi’s emergence, there will be years of deception in which the liar will be believed, the truthful will be considered a liar, the treacherous will be trusted, and the trustworthy will be considered treacherous. The Ruwaybidah will speak.” He was asked, “Who are the Ruwaybidah?” He replied: “The foolish ones who will speak about public affairs.” (Sunan Ibn Majah) So how could we sum up these years of deception and foolish ones in the time of the Mahdi, where the “liar will be believed” and “the treacherous will be trusted”? In two short words—“Fake News.” How many foolish ones do we see take the modern day pulpits in religious institutions, on political forums or online forums, and spew hatred, ignorance, lies and fake news? The Commander of the Truthful and Prince of the believers, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib said that character assassination is worse than the physical death and any victim of cyber/media lies can attest to that. And while some wish they were dead, others actually do end up taking their lives due to the irresponsible and unethical “journalism” from so-called journalists and influencers. However, there are those faithful and righteous ones who stand for the truth, no matter how many oppose it, no matter how great the storm surge is, and they seek and use the truth like a lighthouse in the middle of a dark night, on a raging ocean of lies and propaganda. Because they know that no matter how much the enemies lie, “no matter what they do, they are only paving the way for the inheritor.”

Zion Media and members of the Latter-day Saints (LDS) of the Mormon Church, believers in the doctrine of Joseph Smith, namely Shane Baldwin, Trevor Keyes and Chad, like a breath of fresh air, decided to make a seemingly fair-minded critique of the call of Aba Al-Sadiq. The team recognizes the call as a clear viral media phenomenon, creating massive reverberations across the so-called Christian lands of America and Canada. The LDS are very keen to investigate the claims of Aba Al-Sadiq to be a successor of St. Peter and Jesus, as they are anticipating and eagerly awaiting the Second Coming of Christ. They anticipate Jesus to return in order to reign as a king, claim the earth as God’s righteous kingdom for the sake of justice, and establish lasting peace throughout the world. Previously, in his age, Jesus was not enforced by the Jewish people who had anticipated his arrival; he was ultimately betrayed by his own close companion, Judas. Chad of LDS critically perceives Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq to represent a Muslim version of the Mormon Davidic servant to come in these darkest of days, who will restore the Kingdom of Israel once and for all. LDS cite evidence from various sources to prove that Jesus will come to the earth a second time (see Isaiah 66:14–15; Matthew 24:42–44, 50; Acts 1:11). “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” (Bible, Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40, Verse 5) Mormons believe this reign will mark the beginning of a glorious 1,000-year period known as the Millennium. During this time, Satan will no longer have any power or ability to cause mischief in the lands (see Revelation 20:1–3; Doctrine and Covenants 45:55), and all people will live in peace and joy. The LDS eschatological understanding of this apocalyptic end-time scenario recognizes, through the Book of Revelations, the critical suffering the world is facing today. These are immortalized through the mention of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which have been interpreted to represent conquest, war, famine, and death, all things that are plaguing our planet earth more than ever now. LDS have faith in this Apocalypse, a truly unveiling age when holy saints would reincarnate on earth to bring forth great wisdom, ushering in a Golden Age and returning earth to an Eden-like state or paradisiacal glory, Holy 'Zion.' “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” (LDS 13 Articles of Faith)  Shane has been admittedly captivated by the teachings of Aba Al-Sadiq, and was encouraged to research the AROPL call for some 2 months, watching the “Sacred Dialogues” episodes from the Mahdi has Appeared channel, including the Sermon released on the death of the Fake Pope Francis. "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (Bible, Book of John, Chapter 7, Verse 24) Shane became increasingly curious to discern truth from falsehood. Despite many accusing Aba Al-Sadiq of being an antichrist figure, he was not prepared to condemn him or defame his character based purely on slander or other people's clear prejudice without first making a non-biased assessment.  Shane reminds us that Jesus said we should distinguish the claimant primarily by their fruits. Based on his deep dive on the background and doctrine of AROPL, he states that the presentation of Aba Al-Sadiq seems more like a Joseph Smith (founder of Mormonism and LDS) of Islam, ostracized by other sects in their respective religions. They see many overlaps in his wise and strong statements, his words carrying deep knowledge, and his speech flowing with clarity and conviction. His theology, like that of Jesus in his time, challenged the prevailing norms and called for a higher, more spiritual path.  Crucially however, Smith did not have a claim from God based on a letter of appointment, unlike Abdullah Hashem today, and that is a clear distinction that defines AROPL as being truthful, like the call of Jesus. Aba Al-Sadiq has, like the unbroken chain of prophets before him, sent by the one true God, read and interpreted the will of those who came before him—much like Jesus did in Luke 4:17-21, where he read from the scroll of Isaiah and declared its fulfillment. He too was rejected by many of the very people who were supposed to be awaiting his arrival, reflecting the experience of Christ, who said, “ A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country” (Mark 6:4). The LDS members from America know full well that, initially in the USA, Aba Al-Sadiq was not accepted by the majority of people in his own country. Using simple logic, Shane states that the antichrist would be more subtle and deceptive, rather than coming out to the world to declare his right to rule the earth. He senses a genuine stance in Abdullah Hashem, who reveres Christ. From their observations, Aba Al-Sadiq is clearly extremely intelligent, drawing knowledge from different scriptures and weaving them together in a divine tapestry of truth. They are intrigued to hear that Aba Al-Sadiq claimed to be that righteous servant spoken about by Isaiah. The way Aba Al-Sadiq can speak Arabic and English together, switching seamlessly between the languages, is remarkable for Shane.  LDS believes in the gathering of the lost tribes of Israel and its final restoration, (see 2 Nephi 10:6–8; Doctrine and Covenants 33:6). God had scattered the children of Israel because of their wickedness and rebellion. They had rejected and killed Zechariah in the temple courtyards and beheaded John the Baptist. LDS believe those that accept the true essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ receive the ordinances of salvation and exaltation, this is their covenant with God. They state people must maintain the laws and cannot simply do whatever they want in order to gain salvation. The LDS 13 Articles of Faith state: “ We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression,”  so there is a degree of accountability in the doctrine. There is an emphasis on individual responsibility for sin, rejecting the doctrine of original sin. These teachings are in accordance with AROPL and Aba Al-Sadiq: that we are accountable for our own actions in a karmic-like justice. Abdullah Hashem also speaks about the bringing together of the scattered, disparate 144,000 from the tribes in this epoch. Those deemed weak in the land by the idolaters, would rule, becoming the inheritors of the earth. Jesus is destined to return to support the mission of the Mahdi on earth and to reign as a king himself, something he could not do so previously because of the betrayal of the Jews in his time. Trevor Keyes, whose own research about Abdullah Hashem reveals how he first came to public prominence not through any religious fervour, but through the Arrivals and TADS series in 2012, which was featured in Wired magazine. By raising the black banner of the East in 2015, upon the death of King Abdullah of Hijaz, Aba Al-Sadiq established a proof upon the Muslim world that the appearance of the awaited Mahdi had been fulfilled. This is a much anticipated narration in both Sunni and Shia narrations from Prophet Mohammed. Trevor was also greatly intrigued by the name of Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq. He recognized that “Abd-Allah” means the “servant of the Lord,” similar to the name “Israel" in Judaism, and observed how the religion representing the call of Abdullah, known as AROPL, had gained NGO status as a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States. At the beginning of his research, Trevor admitted he presumed Abdullah Hashem was a CIA deep state asset, given the high-quality camera work in his episodes. Abdullah appeared well-kept, handsome, and spoke flawlessly, without an accent, claiming to be the anointed Mahdi, and the new Pope, and posted online magically after the death of the fake Pope Francis, stating why he was the rightful successor of St. Peter. After some deliberation, Trevor was wise enough to realise that it is indeed the mark of an educated mind to consider an idea without immediately accepting it. Upon discovering that a SWAT team had raided the premises of the AROPL religion in Sävsjön, Sweden, leading to the community’s expulsion despite no crimes being committed, Trevor was prepared to change his mind and affirm that Abdullah Hashem was not controlled by any deep state. He felt this call reflected the early days of Mormonism, when members were persecuted from east to west. Shockingly, he reported that members of AROPL had been martyred, linked to extremist Islamists opposed to this call.  As far as the LDS are concerned, there are some things for them to ponder, but also some deep intrigue and wisdom. They appreciate the knowledge in his speeches; before any claims Abdullah Hashem makes to be a Pope and Mahdi, clear evidence is presented along with analogies from the time of Christ. They do not fully understand the Mahdi concept, which mentions that Prophet Mohammed had successors, but they get the general idea of the concept of the genealogy based on the holy will of the Prophet Mohammed. “A man will come about before Imam Mahdi from my Ahlul Bayt.” (Kanz Al Amal, Vol. 7, p. 261 ) Imam Al Baqir declared: "For the Qaim are two names, one is hidden and the other is revealed. As for the one that is hidden it is Ahmad, and the one that is revealed is Muhammad.” (Kamal Al Deen, Vol. 2, Door 57, p. 653) They loved the comparison of Moses praying to God,  “Hereby you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord”   (Numbers 16:28–30).  Thus, indeed, the earth opened up and swallowed the rebellious party who tried to raise themselves haughtily over Moses and the will of God, with the comparison to the corruption of the Catholic Church and the death of the fake Pope Francis today. Chad found the sermon of Aba Al-Sadiq mesmerizing, considering Aba Al-Sadiq a likeable and clever man whom they think about in context with their founder Joseph Smith. Chad highlights the need to pay attention to the fruits of Aba Al-Sadiq’s works and his willingness to call out tyrants despite his own reputation. They consider, in actual fact, that Abdullah Hashem could be the greatest ally to the LDS, as he has such powerful energy and is extremely likeable.  The concept of the unbroken chain of messengers is reflected in their teachings and is mentioned through the lineage of the claimant, like Jesus spoke of a serious claimant to come after him, the Advocate, whom Jesus would send, called Mohammed, referred to as the Comforter in the Book of John, chapters 14 and 16. The Mormon view is reflective of this whereby they believe that, “A man must be called forth by God, divine prophecies are fulfilled, the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.” (LDS 13 Articles of Faith) Chad is discerning to realise that Jesus sends a Comforter in a judgement role, not a Holy Ghost, but an actual man sent to judge and reprove the world. Joseph Smith recognized there would be a future physical incarnation of the Holy Ghost.  Trevor reflects that Abdullah Hashem comes as a peacemaker and has a real presence, speaking about Jesus in a very positive light. Abdullah Hashem presents a clear mission to bring people to God through AROPL and to establish a Divine Just State, like the apostles sought to achieve. The breakdown and the detailed explanation of the incarnations of the Holy Ghost, through the spirit of the early prophets from Adam through Noah, to Jesus and beyond, and the light shining through Prophet Mohammed and through the incarnation of the corresponding Imams, are noteworthy. They all carry with them the spirit, and they are the Comforter for humanity.  The ordinances of the LDS Melchizedek Priesthood reveal how the power of God is made clear on earth through the spirit of God manifested in a man who represents the eternal power and sanctity of the Church of God, “the power of godliness is manifest” (Doctrines and Covenants of 84:20). Trevor even goes so far as to say that though they are not believers, they are very curious about the teachings of Aba Al-Sadiq, especially in these critical and important times. While Trevor recognised there would indeed be many false Davidic servants, we were told about this anticipated rise. We are in the last days already, with wars and rumours; hence, there must also be present wise and true prophets and sages. The Savior told the early Saints of this dispensation, “Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:12). Shane reminds us we should be on alert today, looking for and expecting people coming out of nowhere and prophecies being fulfilled, and we should observe and know people by their fruits. Nicodemus asked, "Does our law judge any man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" (Bible, Book of John, Chapter 7, Verse 51) Chad, the optimist, is hopeful Aba Al-Sadiq will ultimately be proven to be a righteous person, seeing how likeable he truly is, and he would be declared as the Righteous Servant or Davidic servant. People have become very comfortable and complacent in their lives, distracted from the true essence of life. Chad wonders if they truly are prepared to take a stand against the corruption and tyranny in religion and politics at the risk of their own selves and reputation, as Aba Al-Sadiq has. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 24, Verses 38-39) Chad wants to talk with Abdullah Hashem. They even say he looks like Jesus, someone they would expect to be a leader for the people; he fits the character anticipated from their own scriptures. Aba Al-Sadiq is evidently an inheritor more knowledgeable than any false pope chosen by a conclave of self-appointed bishops. Abdullah Hashem is named in a holy will, just as Jesus was mentioned by Isaiah as the Messiah through a holy will, in order for the Lord to prosper through his hands and bring liberty to the oppressed. The brothers mentioned that Abdullah Hashem could be a Righteous Servant based on Isaiah verse 53:10, the Righteous Servant's life being prolonged to see his own offspring. We know that did not happen in the apparent death of Jesus, who was crucified. The brothers reflect upon this; Isaiah, therefore, is mentioning dual prophecies, the brothers recognize themselves evidently. “We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.” (LDS 13 Articles of Faith)  The brothers are perceptive, they pick up on where Aba Al-Sadiq says, “According to you, Jesus had no offspring,” and they sense he knows something different. Abdullah Hashem says he is the righteous servant of God, mentioned by Jesus as a faithful and wise servant whom he shall make him ruler over all goods. So, in essence, he fulfills the prophecy to restore the true order to Christ's Church. The Church is therefore one body that is represented in different names by teachers and prophets and pastors but in essence is one and the same. “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets…” (LDS 13 Articles of Faith) Chad reflects on how Jesus says a servant will come whom the Lord will make a steward over earth. Aba Al-Sadiq is presenting himself as a steward who knows the scriptures and brings forth knowledge. Aba Al-Sadiq reminds us that once we realize he is a messenger from Jesus, it is our duty to hear and obey him, in keeping with the teachings of the LDS. “Judgment is based on acceptance of Christ and obedience” (The Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood - 1829). Through this covenant relationship, followers of Christ are assured salvation from the eternal consequences of sin if they are obedient, so they must accept a Jesuit covenant and abide by it in order to be saved. Shane reflects on how the priesthood of Melchizedek and the spiritual laws of the LDS Church use the familiar term “rightful heir” for the successor in their chain of high priests, as per Covenant section 113, which is exactly the term used by Abdullah Hashem. They are very intrigued by this commonality. Trevor reflects on how they believe that Paul led the community of Christ astray and encouraged the Christians to submit to the rulers over them, which in essence would be the same Romans that crucified Christ. Chad clarifies that many of Paul's works were not even written by him. They change the principle of being, that we must adhere to divine laws, to the principle of being saved by grace. Paul never actually met Jesus, the claim of the revelation on the road to Damascus, remains as such, with no actual substance. This conforms with the teachings of Aba Al-Sadiq, that Paul is false, that the church is corrupt, that it has oppressed the people and that the papacy was stolen. Chad verifies there was never any claim like this before, and he truly hopes that their LDS Davidic servant can be even half as charismatic, and make enigmatic speeches like Aba Al-Sadiq. He loves the sense of devotion to the speaking tongue of God.  “The gifts of the Spirit are alive and accessible, including prophecy, visions, and healing.” (LDS 13 Articles of Faith) Shane wonders if LDS followers can rally like Abdullah Hashem, or go to war like him. They do not sense such real support in their community. Shane senses they have more door-knockers as opposed to soldiers of the Mahdi in LDS. Chad subtly reflects that the 144,000 sealed in Revelation by the angel of east can’t be mere door-knockers; they must be strong warriors whose hearts are united in one faith, ready to go out in an impactful way to make things happen, serving a true goal and mission to establish equity and justice. Regarding the Mormon Church (LDS) itself, important points to reflect on are that Jesus sent prophets to humanity in an unbroken succession. AROPL provides evidence of how this actually leads to Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq. Shane senses an energy here with Abdullah Hashem that has never been seen in our lifetime. Trevor likewise admits that Zion media has exposed many false claimants readily. However, they remind us to be able to discern, as some of the wolves are convincing ones, it is easy to be duped. There must be a righteous servant, a Divine King, pure and simple, today. So, other than what has been stated, how will you identify him today? We thank the LDS brothers for taking an open-minded approach to researching the call of Aba Al-Sadiq without prejudice. The Gospel of Thomas states that when seekers find the truth, they will be disturbed, amazed, and then reign over all. We hope the brothers will resonate with the truthful caller of today.