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In a room buzzing with anticipation, a man cloaked in black takes his place atop a striking black-and-gold pulpit. He declares himself the divinely appointed successor of the Prophet Mohammed and the true inheritor of the religion of Islam. But this isn't your typical mosque gathering. Scanning the audience reveals something radically different: women from all walks of life fill half the seats, and not a single one is wearing a hijab—the head covering traditionally considered obligatory by Muslims worldwide. What’s behind this bold departure from tradition? The man at the pulpit is none other than the Mahdi, the figure destined to revive and renew Islam. And he’s doing just that, starting with a bold and controversial claim that has sent shockwaves through the Muslim world: the hijab, he asserts, was never a religious obligation. God allows women freedom to choose whether to wear it or not. This is more than a statement; it’s a revolutionary shift in the understanding of women’s rights and roles within religion, challenging centuries of corrupt dogma. Women's Rights and the Challenge of Islamic Law It’s no secret that Islam, as it is commonly practiced today, struggles with a bad reputation when it comes to women’s rights. The Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research acknowledges this, noting, “Often, misrepresentations and misconceptions about how women are treated by Sharia are used to advance the notion that Islam is misogynistic.” But is this truly a matter of misinterpretation by average Muslims, or is there something more at play? Are the so-called scholars of Islam pulling the strings behind the scenes? To unravel this, we need only look at some well-known cases. Scholarly fatwas on women’s issues range from the mundane— like prohibiting women from plucking their eyebrows —to the repulsive, such as permitting child marriage , and even the bizarre, like suggesting a husband can eat parts of his wife’s body in dire circumstances . While many Muslims are accustomed to ignoring these more extreme clerical decrees, a problem arises when such fatwas are enforced on a societal level. A prime example is the compulsory wearing of the hijab in Iran. In late 2022, Iran witnessed a wave of anti-government protests over the compulsory hijab, sparked by the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman. She died after being beaten by the Gasht-e Ershad, Iran’s “morality police,” tasked with enforcing strict dress codes and behaviors supposedly rooted in Islamic law. These laws, defined by jurists claiming authority in Islam, led to protests that resulted in over 500 deaths and thousands of arrests. This is just one example where religious authorities have sanctioned violence against women under the banner of Islamic law. In 2016, Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), a body of non-working scholars advising the government on Islamic legal matters, issued a shocking ruling: it is permissible for a husband to "lightly" beat his wife if she disobeys his commands, including refusing sex or not dressing as he desires. Violence against women, even when it leads to death, is often justified in so-called Islamic nations, with Pakistan leading the world in annual honor killings. And, according to a Pew study, a significant margin of Muslims in Muslim-majority nations believe that honor killings are justified in some circumstances. Elsewhere, women face severe restrictions. In Saudi Arabia, women are bound by Islamic dress codes and must obtain male guardian consent for most legal actions, including travel and education. This country was famously the last on earth to allow women to drive.  In 2017 the head of fatwas in Saudi Arabia’s Assir governorate at the time, Saad al-Hijri, was caught on video arguing that women should not drive because their brains shrink to a quarter the size of a man’s when they go shopping. The nation only reversed the ban women driving in 2018, with Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States admitting , “The majority of the members of the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom agree that Islam does not ban women from driving. This was a societal issue.” This inconsistency highlights a deeper issue: those with positions of power in religion are often guilty of equating cultural biases and personal opinions with divine law.  Afghanistan provides another grim example, where the Taliban, since its takeover in 2021, has banned women from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Despite these harsh realities, many point out that this is not what Prophet Mohammed taught. Indeed, the Prophet's teachings starkly contrast with the actions of today’s so-called Islamic authorities. Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan has stated that 99% of what is known as Islam today is false and that reality is apparent. The religion of Prophet Mohammed has been corrupted, particularly regarding women’s rights. Instead of elevating women as the Prophet did, clerics have systematically eroded their rights, often reducing them to less than what non-Muslim societies offer. This is not just a misunderstanding—it’s a blatant distortion of the Prophet's true legacy. Prophet Mohammed: An Advocate for Women In an era where women were often silenced and sidelined, Prophet Mohammed emerged as an advocate for their rights. Imagine a world where daughters were buried alive simply for being born female—a practice so brutal yet tragically common in pre-Islamic Arabia. The Prophet Mohammed stood firmly against this, putting an end to female infanticide and taught that every child, regardless of gender, was a divine blessing. But his monumental impact didn't stop there. At a time when women were seen as little more than property, Mohammed shattered societal norms by granting them the right to inherit property—a radical shift that gave women financial independence and security. This is a right which Western women did not achieve until many centuries later. The Prophet Mohammed lived by the values he preached and spoke highly of the women in his household, crediting his wife Khadijah not only for her unwavering support but for her wealth, which played a crucial role in spreading his message (Shajara Tuba’a (Blessed Tree), Al-Shaikh Muhammad Mahdi Al-Hairi, Vol. 2, p. 233). The Prophet also honored his daughter Fatimah Al-Zahraa with the profound statement, “Verily, Fatimah is nicknamed ‘the mother of her father’” (Al-Khasa’is Al-Fatimiyah, Shaikh Mohammed Al-Baqir Al-Kajouri, Vol. 1, p. 126), a testament to her importance in both his life and the spiritual heritage of Islam. Even more remarkable, Mohammed didn't just talk about women's rights—he included women in the very heart of his community. He welcomed female disciples, honored female martyrs, and even had women who took up arms and fought in battle alongside him. Mohammed’s divinely inspired actions advanced women’s rights were nothing short of revolutionary.  So what about today? When the topic of mistreatment of women in Islam comes up, Muslims are quick to remind you of what an advocate the prophet was in his day and age for women’s rights and inclusion. However, today’s scholars and clerics do not seem to continue his legacy. The way they distort and tarnish the Prophet Mohammed's message makes it evident why the narrations state that the scholars of the end times are the enemies of Islam . Today, the only person truly upholding Mohammed's legacy regarding women is the Qaim of the family of Mohammed, otherwise known as the Mahdi, Aba Al-Sadiq. Meet the Women Behind the Revolution  In 2023, Aba Al-Sadiq addressed a provocative question in an episode from his series, "The School of Divine Mysteries: Can Women be Prophets?" His answer was a resounding yes. He explained that a prophet is simply someone who receives divine revelation, and the scriptures reveal many instances of women who communicated with God. He cited examples like Deborah, a judge who led the Israelites after Moses; Mary, the mother of Jesus, who received revelation through the appearance of an angel; and Lady Narjis, who followed a divinely inspired dream to find the Imam of her time. Aba Al-Sadiq emphasized that the distinction between male and female prophets lies not in their spiritual status but in the roles they played in society. In fact, some women, he asserts, have been better and closer to God than men. In fact, he asserted that some women have been closer to God than men, reinforcing that God judges by faith and sincerity, not gender. "The potential is open for all of mankind based on their sincerity to reach through and go to the highest ranks that they can achieve," he declared, challenging long-held beliefs perpetuated by non-working scholars who have strayed from the true teachings of Islam. “And then here we have non-working scholars deciding from their own selves to come to the conclusion that it's not possible…” This refreshing perspective on gender equality is just one piece of evidence pointing to Aba Al-Sadiq as the Mahdi, who, according to narrations, will gather both men and women in his close circle. “The Mahdi will rise up … along with 313 men and fifty women without any previous arrangement among themselves, like separate clouds clustering in the sky, one after another.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 223) Certainly, we find women from this group of trusted advisors in the Mahdi’s household. Aba Al-Sadiq’s family has a strong presence of women. In addition to two sons and two biological daughters, he raised two adopted daughters from a young age alongside his wife, Norhan Hashem. Like the Prophet Mohammed, who began his mission with the unwavering support of his wife Khadijah, Aba Al-Sadiq’s call has been significantly supported by Norhan. Perhaps few people are aware of what an important role she has played in spreading this faith. Since 2011, she has served as the main translator of Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan’s works from Arabic to English, opening the door for a global audience to understand and embrace the teachings of the faith.  Prophet Mohammed taught that seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim and Norhan’s story just goes to show how impactful a woman with knowledge and an education can be. But her contributions extend far beyond her many works. Since the rise of the Black Banners in 2015, Norhan has served as the “Mother of the Believers,” the first lady of the Qaim’s community, and a role model to all women who entered the Call.  Aba Al-Sadiq and Lady Norhan Hashem at the 2024 Academic Conference at the AROPL Headquarters Another key female figure in the community is Hadil El-Khouly, a human rights activist who has known Aba Al-Sadiq since 2008. Hadil works with Amnesty International and serves as the Human Rights Outreach Coordinator for the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. Through her work, she advocates for oppressed members of the faith worldwide, from freeing believers wrongfully imprisoned in nations like Algeria and Iran to coordinating with the United Nations to secure the release of 104 asylum seekers detained in Turkey in 2023. Her efforts are focused on defending the rights of believers who are persecuted for their faith, particularly in so-called Muslim nations where the scholars oppose the Qaim’s revival of true Islam. Hadil explains, “For [the scholars], you cannot believe in the Mahdi and advocate for women’s rights. These two things clash. Their ‘Imam al-Mahdi’ is an Imam who will come and confirm the status quo. That’s it. If the Imam comes with a message that’s revolutionary or that changes the status quo, the scholars would tell you no. They don’t want an Imam Mahdi who advocates for women’s rights.....What we have learned in the dawa is that women, just like men, have the ability to elevate spiritually and reach the highest of ranks. Some women are even higher than men in spiritual ranks, as we know from the story of Zainab and even Fatima Al-Zahra, who was higher than many prophets. This directly clashes with mainstream Muslim scholars who teach that women are categorically inferior by nature and therefore can never be equal to men in their understanding of religion, let alone their standing in society.” Hadil El-Khouly speaking at the UK FoRB Forum on April 25, 2024 As for the idea that female companions will join the Qaim, Hadil explains that while they are aware of the prophecies, they would reject women who speak out on issues Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan has denounced. She highlights that he has strongly condemned many of the core abuses women face in the Muslim world, such as child marriage, female circumcision (FGM), and domestic violence. But his advocacy for women doesn't stop there. In 2015, Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan made a groundbreaking statement about the rights of husbands and wives. He declared that, contrary to popular belief, wives are not obligated to do housework or childcare. In fact, a woman has the right compensation for performing those tasks. This stance places him at odds with the scholars as Hadil notes, “Their “Imam al-Mahdi” would not speak up or would not speak for women’s rights or any of these issues so of course when the dawa comes and it challenges that then they would have to fight it and speak against it.” Hadil has the unique distinction of being dubbed “a woman worth 1,000 men” by Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan. She works tirelessly, putting her professional skills to use for the cause, and she is not alone. According to the narrations, 13 of the 50 female companions of the Mahdi will be on the front lines of the battlefield, acting as medics (Mustadrak Safinat Al-Bihar, Ali Al-Namazi Al-Shahroudy, Vol. 4, p. 90). There are women already fulfilling this role, in a sense, serving as doctors within the community of the Qaim. Aliaa Shareef, a Swedish general practitioner and Vanessa Debora Gardea Vega, a cardiologist from Mexico both heard the Call and jumped at the chance to join the community of Aba Al-Sadiq.  Aliaa explains that walking with the Qaim has allowed her the freedom to be respected simply as a human being. “I feel Muslim women are living in even worse conditions than the women who lived in the pre-Islamic era. With the Qaim, I'm valued as a human being; there's no difference between me and a man or any other woman except in my level of faith. No one can judge my faith except God and the Qaim. So I'm not judged, not looked at as a second-class citizen. I'm not evaluated based on my look. I'm truly respected for my humanity.” Vanessa shares a similar sentiment, stating that her desire to do God’s will compelled her to join the Qaim: “I got inspiration because I know Aba Al-Sadiq is the actual messenger sent by God. I wanted to join his call because I searched other religions and asked God about Aba Al-Sadiq. I love my profession, but for me, the most important thing is what God wants from me, and I am certain that God wants me to be part of the Qaim’s rise.” Faithful women have forged the foundation of the Qaim’s community, and one of the most notable pillars is a woman named Bibi Zohra, a 70-year-old widow who made the bold and courageous choice to leave everything behind and migrate to the Mahdi back in 2016. She is the matriarch of a tribe of over 40 family members who have all served by the Mahdi’s side for the better part of a decade.  Bibi Zohra publicly speaks out on the "Mahdi Has Appeared" satellite channel in the Urdu language, calling people from the Indian Subcontinent towards the Mahdi. She is a living example of how the Mahdi gathers people of all ages, genders, and religious backgrounds. Caroline Hören and Hadil El-Khouly at CESNUR 2024 Conference Some might find it surprising that a young German woman from an atheist background is now urging others to embrace the message of the Prophet Mohammed, but that’s precisely Caroline Hören’s story. Caroline found herself knocking at the Mahdi’s door in 2011 after actively searching the world for the truth. She now serves as one of the heads of Security at the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light’s UK headquarters. Carolin e acknowledges that Aba Al-Sadiq’s inclusivity is logical, given that he is the savior for all mankind, not just the men: “I think that there is a general problem for women to play important roles in religious organisations. Not only in the Muslim world - where obviously women have very little influence - but also for example in the catholic faith where all bishops and priests are male by default. And the Mahdi will solve this problem just like he solves all other injustices and problems in the world. There are for sure some traditional Muslim men who find it strange that the Mahdi has women by his side who play an important role in the rise. But overall I see that it makes sense to people - of course the savior of all of mankind doesn’t just come for men. He comes for all people and he treats all people equally. So if men can work and support the Mahdi, women will have the same opportunity.” The opportunity for women to serve has always been present in the ministries of true prophets,  even when history has failed to record it accurately. In his book, "The Goal of the Wise", Aba Al-Sadiq discussed one such example: Mary Magdalene. According to several apocryphal texts, which the Catholic Church excluded from the Bible, Mary was the closest and most faithful of Jesus’ disciples. The early church downplayed her importance and even portrayed her as a prostitute for centuries until correcting this historical inaccuracy in 1969. Aba Al-Sadiq has revealed even more about her. Due to her undying devotion and faith, Mary went on to play a crucial role in propagating Jesus’ ministry after the crucifixion. She was a messenger of Jesus, and the Qaim similarly has women in the role of reaching out to believers worldwide. One woman who performs this task is Ailia Muhammad, a former Twelver Shia who joined the community of Aba Al-Sadiq over a decade ago. Now she works to spread the Call as a show presenter and coordinator of the outreach department for the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. She is quick to note how different God’s system of justice is from the corrupt alternatives. Ailia Muhammad, AROPL Lecture Series, 2023 “Our roles or places in society are either established by a system of God or by an ungodly system. A system of God allows that everyone is free and living to their full capacity. Women in both Eastern and Western society testify to being placed in suffocating positions.” As a person speaking to new believers who enter the call every day, Ailia is witnessing firsthand how much the stance of the Mahdi is resonating, “I have seen women from almost every kind of social structure enter this call. Some came from extremist religious backgrounds, some from liberal households; some are professionals with full-time careers, and others are housewives. All of them were dissatisfied with the world they came from and found solace in the freedom found for women in the Divine Just State—a place where women are treated as exactly what they are: human beings with the potential to reach the highest of places. The Mahdi comes to establish peace and justice, and Aba Al-Sadiq has woken both men and women up to realizing our potential to reach anything, our opportunity to be part of creating a better world, and our human right to serve God alone as His people.” A Call for All Growing up as a devout Catholic, I never imagined that my journey would lead me to the community of the Mahdi. But here I am, drawn by a sincere search for God that brought me into the embrace of Aba Al-Sadiq’s teachings. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of being a part of the community of the Qaim. As one of his disciples, I can personally attest that his doors are open to all who seek truth, without reservation. In 2023, I was invited to appear as a guest on Aba Al-Sadiq’s series, "The School of Divine Mysteries." My presence as a woman, and one without a hijab, sparked criticism from some viewers. But this is where Aba Al-Sadiq’s courage and commitment to equality truly shine. His decision to feature female students isn’t just symbolic; it’s a testament to his unapologetic stance that God’s call is universal, cutting across gender, background, and societal expectations. Tiffany Oldani learns from Aba Al-Sadiq on the School of Divine Mysteries, 2024 As a former Catholic, I can’t help but draw parallels between Aba Al-Sadiq and Jesus Christ, who defended his female disciples against those who sought to silence them. In Aba Al-Sadiq, I see that same spirit—a leader who, through his actions and teachings, is not just transforming the opportunities for women like me but is also inspiring us to draw ever closer to God. As he so beautifully said, “[God Almighty] doesn't look at the bodies, but He looks at the souls, and the potential is open for all of mankind based on their sincerity to reach through and go to the highest ranks that they can achieve.” And isn’t that the true justice of God? In a world that often judges by appearance, status, or gender, Aba Al-Sadiq reminds us that the divine measure is faith alone. And in that, there is hope for us all.

All major world religions would agree that dreams are a way for God to communicate with us. They provide us with information and knowledge of the unseen, glad tidings, and even warnings of what’s to come. On a higher note, dreams are the language of God in which He speaks to His creation and more precisely to His chosen prophets and messengers. The Importance of Dreams in the Bible and the Quran The entire history of Egypt during the time of Joseph and Akhenaten was shaped by a dream. Joseph interpreted a dream for Akhenaten, predicting 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine in Egypt. This interpretation was pivotal, leading Akhenaten to believe in Joseph and embrace Monotheism, abandoning polytheistic deities and opposing the priests of that era.  In the Bible, we read in Genesis, "And they said to him: 'We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter for it.' So Joseph said to them, 'Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.'" (Bible, Book of Genesis, Chapter 40, Verse 8) In the above story, these types of dreams served as warnings. Another type of dream brings glad tidings, such as Joseph's dream of seeing the planets, the sun, and the moon prostrating to him. Some dreams even appear as commands, like Abraham's dream that is recorded in the Quran:  "Then when the boy reached the age to work with him, Abraham said, 'O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.' He replied, 'O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.'" (Qur'an, Chapter 37 (Al-Saffat), Verse 102) In addition to that, Prophet Muhammad had said that the true dream or vision is the final and remaining part of prophethood ("The Goal of the Wise," Door 24, p. 283). It is also one of the signs that a person is a true Messenger from God. As mentioned in the Bible,  "Listen to my words: When there is a prophet among you, I the Lord reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams." (Bible, Book of Numbers, Chapter 12, Verse 6) In Proverbs, it says: "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." (Bible, Book of Proverbs, Chapter 29, Verse 18) In fact, many parts of the Bible are actually dreams. As in Samuel, "Samuel said to Saul, 'Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?' 'I am in great distress,' Saul said. 'The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.'" (Bible, Book of Samuel, Chapter 28, Verse 15) Or in the Book of Job, "For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds." (Bible, Book of Job, Chapter 33, Verses 14-15) Dreams have long been seen as a means of divine communication, alerting individuals to potential missteps in their lives. In the biblical story of Job, for example, terrifying dreams served as more than mere nightmares. These visions were perceived as a method through which God conveyed the need for self-reflection and change.  And in Matthew 1:20, "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.'" (Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 1, Verse 20) Here in this example, after this dream, Joseph listened to the Angel, who told him not to fear marrying Mary because it was all part of God’s plan. By believing his dream, Joseph helped fulfill an important prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus.  Dreams also hold significant importance in Buddhism. In Mahayana Buddhism, some schools believe that the dream world is as real as the waking world. According to the Prajnaparamita Sutra and related texts, dreams ( svapna  in Sanskrit) are classified into five categories. 1. Dreams caused by physical imbalance (kāyavaiṣamya), where hot vapors dominate, leading to dreams of fire, yellow, and red. 2. Dreams caused by cold vapors, leading to visions of water and white. 3. Dreams caused by windy vapors, leading to visions of flights and black. 4. Dreams reflecting thoughts and reflections from the day, where one re-sees what was seen and heard. 5. Dreams sent by gods to teach about future events. Thus, in Buddhism, dreams are a crucial aspect of understanding the mind, gaining insight, and even foreseeing significant events. Another notable example of the importance of dreams in Buddhism is the story of Queen Maya, the mother of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha). Before his birth, she had a vivid dream in which a white elephant descended from the heavens and entered her side. This dream was interpreted by Brahmin scholars as a divine sign that her child would become a great leader, either a universal monarch or a fully enlightened Buddha. Dreams of the Companions of the Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq underlines the importance of dreams and confirms that they have an important role in God's religion. An entire chapter of the Goal of the Wise is dedicated to the topic of dreams, with several of Aba Al-Sadiqs companions sharing dreams they had about this faith. Since the beginning of the call, believers have testified that they have had dreams confirming its truthfulness. Therefore many of his companions pay attention to their dreams and share them with each other. The following is a selected dreams from one of the companions of Aba Al-Sadiq. Nima Firouzi “It happened around October 2014, before Aba Al-Sadiq announced his vicegerency. “Aba Al-Sadiq was standing surrounded by people that were harassing him. He stayed patient. And suddenly the clouds above our heads opened up and I saw a golden bracelet descending from the sky. A voice appeared from the sky saying, "Whoever this bracelet fits on his ankle is the rightful owner of it." Many people tried to put it on without success. The only one it fit was Abdullah Hashem. As he placed it on his ankle, a flash of bright light and a heavy sound emanated from Abdullah. When it settled, I saw that he had turned into a king, complete with crown, scepter, and robe. All those who had harassed him felt ashamed. However, he did not punish them but rather raised their heads and forgave them. As I saw this, I shouted, "This is my brother Abdullah!" When I woke up, I went upstairs to him. We sat down, and I started by saying, "I had a dream last night, and I have good news for you." He looked at me with a big smile on his face. I wondered about his reaction, and he said, "Don't worry, just continue." So, I continued telling him the dream. When I finished, he said, "I had a dream last night too. I heard God's voice telling me that you would bring me glad tidings, and my wife is a witness to that, as I told her my dream before you told me yours." I had goosebumps all over my body. In conclusion, we can clearly see how God can use dreams to guide people to the straight path or to warn them of future events. Brother Nima’s dream shows us how God can even inform us about the coming of the Savior of mankind, preparing our hearts to accept and pledge allegiance to him.

Have you asked Imam Mahdi about the scholars of the End Times, before you asked the scholars of the End Times about Imam Al-Mahdi? In Islam, scholars are revered to be highly respected individuals who are thought to have extensive knowledge of Islamic teachings. They have a profound impact on shaping the beliefs and practices of the Muslim community across the world. Their interpretations of religious texts and traditions influence how individuals perceive and practice their faith. I think we can all agree, it is a responsibility of utmost significance, one that should not be left to those whose connection with God is deemed inadequate. Would you entrust your beloved children in the hands of negligence? Or your hard-earned business to the hands of incompetence? Just as one would carefully select a trusted adviser for matters of great importance, then would it not be wise to extend the same expectation to those who are chosen as our spiritual guides? This is a matter that should not be taken lightly, especially when such a pivotal role wields the power to determine our ultimate fate - whether it be salvation or damnation. It is concerning to think that the Prophet himself mentioned those whom Muslims regard as knowledgeable to be ignorant. This fact alone raises questions - why is there a plethora of unfavorable narrations circulating the subject of religious authority? Why do Muslims differ among themselves about which Hadith is authentic? And who truly knows what the prophet said? Questions that take sincere reflection. How is it that those who are seeking closeness with God put their faith in the very hands of those that the prophet himself warned us against? Let us look at some of what the prophet said about the scholars of Islam in the end of times. Prophet Muhammad said: “Almighty Allah will not take back knowledge after having bestowed it on you. However, He will take scholars, together with their knowledge, from within their communities and take their souls. All that remains will be an ignorant body of people. The people will ask them about their religious needs, and they will issue fatwas (religious opinion on a matter) in the light of their own ideas and desires and will both deviate themselves and lead others into deviation.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Tajrid Al-Sarih, Hadith 2174) The Prophet said: “A time will come when there will be nothing left of Islam except its name, and nothing will remain of the Qur'an except its letters. Their mosques will be full of people, but they will be empty of guidance. Their scholars will be the worst people under the heavens; strife (fitnah) will come from them and return to them.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 190-191) Scholars who lack true knowledge and humility pose a significant threat to Islam, contributing to the state of confusion and division within the Muslim community. When ignorance clouds judgment and prevails, the so-called guidance offered by such non working scholars falls into misguidance, causing their followers to stray from the authentic teachings and principles of the very prophet they yearn to draw close to - Prophet Muhammad and his Holy Household .  Aba Al-Sadiq noted that scholars have significantly corrupted their religion by engaging in practices not instructed by the prophet. They have dismissed the Torah and the Gospels, deeming them entirely corrupt and ignoring their texts, including the truths within them. This has led to a disregard for the prophets and messengers associated with those texts. Consequently, people have deviated from the true path, choosing to follow their scholars instead of Muhammad and his family. The prophet said: "There will come a time when the worst creatures under the heavens will be scholars. From them, there will be misguidance and misguiding others." (Musnad Ahmed ibn Hanbal, Ahmed ibn Hanbal, Hadith 22723) It's troubling to see the non working scholars in Islam, due to their lack of proper knowledge, inadvertently keeping their followers in a state of ignorance. As Jesus said, it's the blind leading the blind, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 15, Verse 14) Scholars, without an understanding of the Quran and hadith, spread misguided teachings. This results in entire communities embracing beliefs that miss the true beauty and wisdom of Islam. When leaders are not well-informed, they cannot guide others effectively, leaving everyone stuck in the dark and unable to grow and learn in their faith. Aba Al-Sadiq said, “The scholars act as a drug, a depressant, something which causes the populations to remain in a state of sedation and deep sleep. They don't issue fatwas to rise up against the oppression, rather they issue fatwas that you should never go out against the ruler or against the leader and that you have to be patient. And they teach the population that they should focus their hopes on a world that's yet to come - the Hereafter; and don't worry about this physical world.”   These scholars prevent people from taking action against injustice. They tell them to be patient and focus on the afterlife rather than trying to improve their current situation.  In the past the scholar Ibn Taymiyyah, during the Mamluk era, did not condemn the rulers even though they did not implement Sharia law. He believed that obeying the rulers was necessary to maintain social order, even if their governance was not in line with Islamic principles. This is in complete contrast to Islamic figures like Imam Hussein, who fought against tyranny and oppression, demonstrating that true faith involves standing up for justice in this world.  Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh Today, so-called scholars such as   Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh , the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, has consistently urged Muslims to obey the ruler. He not only works closely with the king but he also is paid by the government.  Furthermore, we frequently see this with many of their rulers, similarly supporting the Saudi government, which has faced criticism for human rights violations. Despite these issues, he emphasizes the importance of order and unity under the leadership of the non working scholars interpreting hadith and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad to suit the ruler's agenda. Many non-working scholars are even appointed by the government through a ministry of religious affairs. In Egypt for example, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar since 2010, willingly supports the state and has cooperated with various governments, including those of Mohamed Morsi and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Similarly, in Azerbaijan, religious figures also align with political leaders. Sheikh-Ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, who has led the Caucasus Muslim Board since 1980, maintains a strong relationship with President Ilham Aliyev. In fact, in Azerbaijan, religious leaders and figures need to be state approved and state appointed.  These scholars and rulers should be rejected, following Prophet Muhammad's instruction to question religious scholars who are at the feet of political rulers. There are many narrations that have warned the people against such treachery: "Narrated Ka'b bin Malik: The Messenger of Allah said: 'Two hungry wolves sent in the midst of a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a man's greed for wealth and fame is to his religion.'" (Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabeer, Tabarani, Hadith 10350) This complicity with oppressive regimes not only distorts the teachings of Islam but also keeps followers ignorant and submissive to the ruler; meanwhile, leading the people to unwittingly elevate their scholars to positions of complete authority, relying solely on them to dictate what's permissible (halal) and forbidden (haram), and what's morally right or wrong.  “Abi Basir said I asked Abu Abdullah peace be upon him about the words of Allah ‘they took their rabbis and monks as Lords apart from Allah’ he said ‘by Allah they did not call them to worship themselves and if they had called them to worship themselves they would not have responded. But they made lawful for them what was forbidden and forbade for them what was lawful and so they worshiped them unknowingly.’” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 2, p. 98) It is a pure irony that many scholars preach that the ultimate sin, or haram, is shirk—the practice of associating partners with God—while simultaneously positioning themselves as the ultimate authorities on what is halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden). In doing so, they often assume a role that can be perceived as representing God, despite having no divine authorization to do so. How can they claim to pave the way for the Mahdi when there are thousands of scholars, each interpreting thousands of hadiths according to their own understanding and evaluations?   Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh In the early 2000s, a prominent Egyptian scholar, Sheikh Mahmoud al-Habbash , issued a fatwa suggesting that women could breastfeed adult men to establish a familial bond, thereby allowing them to interact more freely in certain social contexts. Fatwas on issues such as spatial segregation, women attending funerals, and women driving, among others, are equally contradictory and upsetting.  Many people mistakenly believe that religious scholars throughout history have always been the first to support appointed prophets, messengers, and Imams. They assume that these scholars, with their extensive knowledge of scriptures and prophecies, could easily identify and anticipate the next vicegerent of God. However, a closer examination of historical events reveals a completely different reality. Aba Al-Sadiq  said, “The Mahdi will not have a more evident enemy than the Muslim scholars. In the same way that the most evident and prominent enemies of Jesus were the rabbis, who were supposed to be the first people to pledge allegiance to him, and who were supposed to be the guardians of religion and the ones who called people towards him, yet they fought him. In the same way, the people who are supposed to be the guardians of religion—the scholars of Islam—are actually the traitors and the ones that fight the Mahdi. We have a plethora of extremely interesting narrations that describe the scholars of Islam as traitors. They are described as being the most evil of creation. Another narration describes them as being more dangerous to Muslims than the Dajjal (Antichrist) himself.” Aba Al-Sadiq has challenged the misguided dependence on non working scholars and urged believers to seek guidance directly from the family of Prophet Muhammad. The family of Muhammad warned that the scholars of the end times are the worst under the sky, calling them traitors and saying they are more dangerous to our ummah than the army of Yazid and even the Dajjal. We should always turn to the timeless wisdom of those closest to God - Prophet Muhammad, the Imams, and the Mahdis. His powerful statement resonates:  “As my father, Imam Ahmad al-Hassan, the Yamani, advised: 'Have you asked the family of Muhammad about the scholars of the end times before you ask the scholars of the end times about the family of Muhammad?'"  The appointment of authority is solely for God and only God's vicegerent can truly guide the people. Seeking knowledge from God's appointed vicegerent is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the faith and ensuring that the community is guided in the right direction. Only through divine leadership, can proper guidance, unity, enlightenment and our purpose be achieved.

In secular countries, religion does not play a role in the governing of society. Instead, that role is fulfilled by institutions of a non-religious nature. Government departments and agencies create and implement man-made laws. The rule of law is upheld by law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, who form the last line of defence and the foundation of the rule of law and order.  But what happens when the very institutions assigned to the duty of upholding the laws suffer corruption? When the institutions that were created to uphold the law, break it themselves? The Judge and the Billionaire In the United States, the highest court of the land is the Supreme Court. The judges are the decision makers and their conduct is held to the highest standards, and rightly so. If the judiciary is corrupted, then the entire justice system is brought into disrepute. How can the courts enforce the laws when they are the ones who are breaking it themselves? This is why the case of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas of the US Supreme Court is so interesting. On the 6th of April 2023, ProPublic, a non-profit newsroom that investigates abuses of power, published a shocking article titled “ Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire ”.  The article set out the relationship between Justice Thomas and US billionaire Harlan Crow, a donor of the US Republican Party. It details decades of luxury gifts that were given to Justice Thomas including annual holidays, flights aboard his private jet and yacht, and how virtually every year, Thomas has accepted luxury trips without disclosing them. These trips do not appear anywhere in his financial disclosures.  What was behind Justice Thomas’ decision not to disclose these trips, even once over the past decades? No formal charges of wrongdoing have been proven at this time. However, the accusations were serious enough to lead Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York to introduce articles of impeachment against Judges Thomas and fellow conservative supreme court justice Samuel Alito, for failure to provide such disclosures. Clarence Thomas is not the first judge to face accusations of improper conduct. In 2019, Texas District Judge Rodolfo Delgado, was convicted  of one count of conspiring, three counts of Federal Program Bribery, three counts of Travel Act Bribery, and one count of Obstruction of Justice.  During the investigation by the FBI, it was found that the judge had, in addition to other misdeeds, been accepting bribes for agreeing to release three clients of an attorney on bond in cases pending before his court. The numbers involved are surprisingly low. The first two bribes totaled $520 and the third $5,500. He also attempted to obstruct justice when he learned of the police investigation by contacting the attorney and providing a false story about how the payments themselves.  The Corruption of the Anti-Mafia In an article titled ‘ The rise and fall of an anti-mafia hero ”, we learned about the case of former judge Silvana Saguto who was found guilty of corruption. She began her career in 1981 and became an icon for the role she played in 1986–1992 Maxi-Trial investigating Cosa Nostra, during which she sentenced the Corleonesi mafia clan boss, Totò Riina, to life imprisonment. She later became the president of the Department of Preventative Measures, a special court with the power to assign persons to temporarily manage property and other assets seized from the mafia. Through a web of family ties and acquaintances, Saguto was able to assign confiscated assets to a group of people in exchange for money, favours and gifts.  The extent of Saguto’s misdeeds did not stop there. She was able to use corrupt law enforcement individuals to start investigations into legitimate entrepreneurs with a view to seizing and diverting their assets and businesses worth millions of euros. Those asserts were returned to the individuals once she was removed from office, but the companies were stripped of their value as a result of years of mismanagement and wrongdoing by the administrators.  What has been surprising in this case is that Saguto was supposed to be part of the so-called anti-mafia. However, her exposure reveals that even the judiciary is not immune to such corruption.  Bribes as a Way of Life A report published by the Premium Times on 1st March 2024 titled “ Corruption in Nigerian Judiciary is extensive-UNODC ” , set out some of the challenges facing the Nigerian judiciary. It quoted the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes as saying that corruption is prevalent in the Nigerian judiciary and that 20 percent of those who had contact with the judiciary, were confronted with a request for the payment of a bribe. A comparative 2020 study referenced in the article mentioned that both male and female judges were party to such behaviour though, males were far more likely.  Other accusations include the abuse of the principle of judicial precedent. That is, where the lower courts follow the rulings of the higher courts. The article quotes a former member of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, who says that you can see five different decisions of the Supreme Court all on one issue that are contradictory.  Corruption in Numbers The corruption of the judiciary clearly garners headlines. However, such cases are not as commonly heard in the media as is that of corruption of law enforcement agencies. Corruption of law enforcement agencies is a global phenomenon and one that has been documented by the World Metrics Org . There is a general picture of corrupt conduct and poor public perception. Some of the statistics they offer are as follows:  "In 2020, the number of police officers arrested in the United States for corruption-related offenses was 1,175." "According to Transparency International, 24% of respondents claimed to have paid a bribe to police in the previous 12 months in a global survey." "According to Human Rights Watch, corrupt police committed 2,300 documented extrajudicial killings between 1988 and 2002 in Nigeria." "In 2019, Serbia saw 69 convictions related to police corruption." "More than half (51%) of Romanians believe that the public police force is the most corrupt institution in the country, according to a 2018 survey." The numbers around the world are shocking and vary greatly. The question is what amount of corruption is acceptable? In the context of the role of law enforcement, this number should be nothing more than zero.  Where do we go from here? It is clear that there is corruption in many, if not all, levels of law enforcement across the world. That the last line of defence has potentially been compromised in such a way, and at the highest level of law, is a shocking indictment of the level of corruption in the End Times.  It brings us back to a quote of Ahmed Al-Hassan: “For me it represented the corruption of salt for everything corrupted can be fixed by salt but what if the salt goes bad?" (Sermon of the Story of Meeting Imam Al-Mahdi, Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan) Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan spoke these words when describing the situation of the non-working scholars of religion. Those who were entrusted with the religion, to safeguard it for the weak, but instead abandoned their duty. Choosing instead to pursue the material desires of worldly life. Forsaking those entrusted to their care. Instead, leaving them to the wolves.  Based on the evidence? The conduct of the judiciary is no different to that of the non-working scholars.

Disease X The next pandemic is around the corner. This is the view of many prominent scientists, infectious disease specialists and public health officials.  Professor Patrick Vallance , the former chief scientific adviser to the British government recently warned that another pandemic is “absolutely inevitable” and that “we are not ready” to deal with it. The World Health Organization (WHO) has, in fact, dubbed the next potential plague " Disease X ", a hypothetical infection that spreads like wildfire, leaving in its wake catastrophic global consequences. The term ‘Disease X’ was coined to spur governments to respond more effectively to the next lethal contagion.  The advent of COVID-19 garnered early comparisons with the Spanish Flu of 1918, which killed around 50-60 million people worldwide. However long before COVID took center stage, its family of viruses, (the coronaviruses) were strong favorites to give birth to the next pandemic. In 2002, another coronavirus, caused a severe pneumonia known as  SARS  (Severe acute respiratory syndrome). SARS killed around 1 in 10 of those infected. Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 A few years later, an even deadlier strain led to the outbreak of MERS  (Middle East respiratory syndrome). MERS had a staggering kill rate of 1 in 3. Fortunately, despite both SARS and MERS being more fatal than COVID-19, they never reached pandemic status due to their lower transmissibility (ability to infect human hosts). Other candidates for apocalyptic viruses included the mosquito-borne  Zika  virus, and of course  Ebola , which has a mortality rate of 80-90 %, causing severe and uncontrollable bleeding in its victims.  It is sobering to note that there are approximately 1.7 million unknown viruses on the planet, with best estimates indicating that around 700,000 of them have the ability to infect human beings. Scientists presently know of only 263 viruses that can infect our species, which means that we know almost nothing about 99% of the potential looming threats out there. No-one can predict exactly when or where ‘Disease X’ will emerge. However, what is certain is that it is out there and, at some point, will spill over from animals and into humans causing the next great pandemic. H5N1, "Avian Flu" But let’s put hypotheticals to one side. Right now, a virulent strain of bird flu is sweeping across the world and has already jumped from birds into several different mammalian species causing mass death tolls. The avian flu, H5N1, has been around for a while, but only recently has it gone into overdrive in terms of mutations and its rate of spread. What is particularly concerning is how quickly it can result in severe illness and death in those it infects. In fact, the spiraling number of animal cases have caused some experts to suggest that a new pandemic, deadlier than COVID-19, is already on our doorstep. Make no mistake, if H5N1 suddenly develops better human-to-human transmission, then we certainly have all the ingredients of a doomsday virus.  Pandemic Prophecies This emergence of novel diseases, and an increase in epidemics hasn’t only captured the attention of the scientific community. It has also sparked interest in a large segment of the world’s religious communities. While secular scientists attribute the surge in infectious diseases to a complex interplay of socio-environmental factors; those of a religious persuasion see it as a result of disobedience to Divine Law and immoral human behaviour. Christians and Muslims in particular, who make up over 4 billion of the world’s inhabitants, interpret events through their respective eschatological lenses, sharing many striking similarities. They see the global injustice, inequality and greed to be the reason for the arrival of an imminent punishment that was prophecised thousands of years ago. People of faith argue that the problem at its root is a moral one, and that people are being punished for their immoral behavior by pandemics such as COVID 19. Neither religion nor science need be discarded, they simply serve different roles. Science is a tool that allows us to measure and record observable phenomena, but it cannot always tell us why those observable phenomena exist. Science can help us to see the infinitesimally small structure of a virus, but it cannot tell us how and why they suddenly become active and mutate to infect different host species.  Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) I would like to elaborate on the religious perspective and show how our ethical conduct has direct consequences on the well-being of our civilization. Take wealth inequality for instance, a key metric of societal injustice, and currently at an all-time high. The growing gap between the haves and the have-nots has undoubtedly created a huge reservoir of malnourished and immune-compromised individuals. Combined with the unsanitary and overcrowded conditions these poor people live in, pathogens have found the perfect breeding ground to hone their defenses and ply their trade. The poor have become the channel to infect the rich. Another example: human greed, manifested in the economic and political doctrine of capitalism. Excessive exploitation of natural resources causes ecological disturbances and climate change. Climate change and global warming leads to the migration of pathogens, through vectors like mosquitos, which subsequently wreak havoc in new territories. And how about the decades of irresponsible prescribing of antibiotics? Initially doctors were encouraged to prescribe antibiotics freely for all kinds of infections, including viral infections, against which they are totally ineffective. The overuse of antibiotics did two things: boosted profit margins for pharmaceutical companies, and secondly, gave rise to the notorious “superbug” phenomenon we now see in hospitals around the world. For example, bacteria such as MRSA, are now resistant to virtually all known antibiotics. These so-called superbugs now pose massive problems to our healthcare facilities.  Now, let us turn our attention to the Abrahamic religions, which predicted the emergence of new diseases before the rise of a Savior. In the Jewish old testament, we are given many examples of how God uses disease as a weapon against the unjust and the oppressors. For instance, the tyrannical Pharaoh, who enslaved and persecuted the Israelites in Egypt, was swiftly brought to his knees by a sequence of terrible plagues which ravaged his kingdom. Until Moses, the promised savior appeared and led his people to freedom. Likewise, Christian eschatology is filled with warnings to believers. Jesus  prophesied: "There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven." (Bible, Book of Luke, Chapter 21, Verse 11) Based on Jesus’ words, we know that plagues will continue to be more prevalent, especially as we draw closer to the time of his promised return. This has led some Christians to even welcome such apocalyptic events, secure in the belief that they will be raptured into heaven, while the denizens of the Earth are left to endure the punishments.  In Islam too, there are many narrations, which mention the outbreak of great plagues in the end-times, before the rise and revolution of the Mahdi. Prophet Muhammad said: "Count six signs before the Hour: my death, the conquest of Jerusalem, two plagues that will take you in great numbers as the plague of sheep [depletes them]." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Bukhari, Book of Fitan, Hadith 41) Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq, the 6th Imam and successor of the Prophet Muhammad elaborates further on the white death:  “Before the advent of the Qa’im, two types of death will occur: the “red death” and the “white death”. The red death is from war and the white death is from plague. They will kill five out of every seven people." (Kamal al-din wa tamam al-ni'ma, Al-Shaykh Al-Saduq, Vol. 2, p. 665) In the last narration, from Imam Al-Sadiq, we get an appreciation of the scale of devastation - over 70 percent of the human population is prophesied to perish. As a believer in God and his messengers Moses, Jesus and Muhammad; and as a doctor, who can see the pathogenic precipice fast approaching, I am both aggrieved and relieved. Aggrieved by the alignment in religious prophecy and scientific projection, both forecasting unprecedented suffering for mankind. Relieved because I have managed to find, by the Grace and Mercy of God, His messenger in this day and age and that I have the opportunity to inform you about him too. In this age, as in every age, God veils Himself in the guise of a man. This is the Imam, the Christ, the Moshiach, the promised Savior of mankind. He is Aba Al-Sadiq, Abdullah Hashem, the Riser of the family of Muhammad. He is the Mahdi promised to the nation of Prophet Muhammad; the messenger of Jesus to the Christians and of Elijah to the Jews.  “I am inviting you to the Seventh and final Covenant between God and mankind. Accepting this covenant is the only thing that will save you from the punishment which is about to come down upon Mankind. Covid was merely the beginning of that punishment, and a precursor. More plagues and diseases will be unearthed and unleashed upon you. Viruses that were frozen and dormant for thousands of years will become alive once again. Strange illnesses that were never seen before will fall down to the Earth with comets and meteors. Sicknesses that are worse than the Black Death will sweep the globe.” (Sermon ‘The Invitation of the Mahdi to be Part of God’s Chosen People,’ Aba Al-Sadiq, 2024)

Look at Them God, War Everywhere War is all around us, and countries are forced to take sides, on conflicts like the one in Ukraine or Israel. As a result, the nations of the world either gain support from superpowers or face isolation and business restrictions. Sanctions, boycotts, and frozen bank accounts often occur when governments defy the rules set by more powerful nations. These actions mark the early stages of conflict, which frequently escalate. Two political camps are forming in the world, similar to the period before World War II.  And the result? Displacement of people, tension, injuries, killings, and cries that echo in the skies and our media. Despite many recognizing the injustice and devastation on Earth, they feel powerless and choose to do exactly what the governments want them to do: focus on themselves and their own fortunes.  Endtime Narrations Wars are key signs of the end times, evident in ongoing conflicts around the world. As Jesus said, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars..." (Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 5, Verses 6-13) Islamic narrations about end-time wars are numerous and go beyond the scope of this article. This article will focus on more general prophecies, including one that suggests World War III is on the horizon. Hudhaifa ibn al-Yaman reported: "By Allah, I have the best knowledge amongst people about every turmoil which is going to appear in the period intervening me and the Last Hour; and it is not for the fact that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) told me something confidentially pertaining to it and he did not tell anybody else about it, but it is because of the fact that I was present in the assembly in which he had been describing the turmoil. And he especially made a mention of three turmoils which would not spare anything, and amongst these there would be turmoils like storms in the hot season." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Bukhari, Book of Tribulations and Portents of the Last Hour, Hadith 28) Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger saying: "The world would not come to an end until a day would come to the people on which the murderer would not know as to why he has killed and the slain would not know as to why he has been murdered. It would be said: Why would it happen? To which he replied: It would be because of general massacre and bloodshed." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Bukhari, Book of Tribulations and Portents of the Last Hour, Hadith 70) Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established (1) till two big groups fight each other whereupon there will be a great number of casualties on both sides and they will be following one and the same religious doctrine, (2) till about thirty Dajjals (liars) appear, and each one of them will claim that he is Allah’s Apostle, (3) till the religious knowledge is taken away (by the death of religious scholars) (4) earthquakes will increase in number (5) time will pass quickly, (6) afflictions will appear, (7) Al-Harj, (i.e., killing) will increase." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Bukhari, Book of Afflictions and the End of the World , Hadith 68) Massacres on a Daily Basis In the last century, there have been more wars than at any other time in human history. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) , 1 in 6 people globally are somehow exposed to a war scenario. 50 countries are currently ranked as areas of extreme, high, or turbulent levels of conflict. An ACLED update from January 2024 states: “The world is getting far more violent in recent years: conflict event rates have increased by over 40% from 2020 through 2023; and increased 12% in 2023 from 2022 rates.” The United Nations  notes that the number of violence and conflicts is on the rise, and is now more widespread than ever. Let’s have a quick look at the ongoing wars that are fought on planet Earth at this very moment:  Israel-Palestine : The conflict has intensified following Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, leading to a devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The situation remains dire with significant civilian casualties and extensive destruction in Gaza with roughly 41,000 deaths.  Sudan : Fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed 13,000-15,000 people and displaced millions. Ukraine : The war between Ukraine and Russia continues with heavy fighting along a static front line. NATO is pushing for their members to aid Ukraine against Russia. 31,000 people have died in this war. Myanmar : Post-coup, Myanmar is experiencing intense conflict between the military junta and various ethnic armed groups, leading to widespread violence and displacement, with 50,000 deaths. Ethiopia : Despite the Tigray conflict winding down, new rebellions in the Amhara and Oromo regions, and tensions with Eritrea, pose ongoing threats. With this never-ending war, we only have an estimate of up to 600,000 civilian deaths aligning with figures from international agencies.  Sahel Region : Political instability and violence, often intensified by jihadists, in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have caused 6,000 deaths. Armenia-Azerbaijan : Recent clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh have led to a large-scale displacement of ethnic Armenians and ongoing tensions between the two countries. From 1991 until now, with a peak in 2020, we have a rough number of 13,000 deaths. To this, we find an interesting narration that states the following: Abu Abdullah As-Sadiq said: My father said to me: "There must be a fire (war) from Azerbaijan that leaves nothing. If it occurs, then you are to stay at home and remain as we have remained. If our revolter (al-Qa'im) rises, you are to hasten to join him, even crawling. By Allah, as if I see him between the temple (of Abraham) and the corner (of the Kaaba) being paid homage on a new covenant." (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 51, p. 115) This brutally fought war caused a great number of people to flee and literally turned some areas into ghost towns due to violence being displayed not even holding back from children, women, or disabled and old age people. Haiti : Gang violence has led to over 2,500 deaths, injuries, or kidnappings, with hopes pinned on a Kenya-led force arriving in early 2024 to restore order. Yemen : Despite peace efforts, the conflict involving several factions and regional powers persists, causing significant humanitarian crises. War and famine have killed 227,000 people.  Syria : The civil war continues with approximately 617,910 deaths due to various factions fighting for control. Democratic Republic of Congo : Ongoing violence in the eastern regions has resulted in six million deaths since 1996, with more than six million people internally displaced in eastern DRC. And this is truly not all of it. These conflicts illustrate the dire situation on Earth, with many occurring in Muslim-majority areas. In the case of Syria, Yemen, and Palestine, we have Iran and Saudi Arabia fighting each other in a proxy war, with Saudi Arabia silently supporting Israel. NATO's support for Ukraine against Russia could lead to a world war scenario, with alliances potentially involving China, North Korea, Iran, and Pakistan on one side, and NATO countries, including the U.S. and India, on the other. This escalation could result in an unprecedented global conflict. Scientists furthermore consider the world closer to a nuclear Armagedon then ever before. The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic representation created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists to illustrate how close humanity is to catastrophic destruction, particularly from nuclear war, climate change, and emerging technologies. The clock's time is set annually, with midnight symbolizing global catastrophe. Currently, the Doomsday Clock remains at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to symbolizing "Doomsday." This setting reflects several critical threats: the risk of a new nuclear arms race among major powers like China, Russia, and the US and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Imam Ali said: “And indeed the atom will burn the world.” (250 Signs until the Appearance of Imam Mahdi, Muhammad Ali Tabatabai, p. 161, Sign 182) Recent leaks of secret documents have made this threat even clearer. A German newspaper reported that Russia plans to start a full-scale war against NATO in 2025 . As a result, Germany and other European countries are preparing for this possible attack by conducting war exercises and planning scenarios. Sweden is also taking steps to be ready for war. They are now requiring all residents, not just citizens, to be prepared for possible military draft because of their recent application to join NATO. This move has made them feel more threatened by Russia. It is not a secret that we present here, it is just a matter of time. Someone is Preparing to Fight the Mahdi  Another prophesied war, marked as an inevitable sign of the end times, mentions a prominent character called the Sufyani. Numerous narrations from the Ahlul Bayt describe this man in detail. In 2015, Ahmad Al-Hassan announced through Aba Al-Sadiq that King Abdullah of Jordan is, in fact, the Sufyani. This claim was later echoed by some Shia, although they presented it as their own discovery. Upon examining the narrations it is clear that King Abdullah fits the description of the Sufyani perfectly. Here are two examples from the many, Abu Ja’far al-Baqir said: “As-Sufyani is red, blond, and blue. He has never worshipped Allah at all. He has seen neither Mecca nor Medina. He says: O my God, I take revenge even if I go to Hell! O my God, I take revenge even if I go to Hell!” (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Book 2, Chapter 18, Hadith 18) The Commander of the Faithful said: "And the emergence of Al-Sufyani with a red banner, and its commander is a man from the Banu Kalb..." (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 273) This article is not about the appearance of the Sufyani; we don’t want to delve too much into his character, but it is important to mention some facts for whoever reads about him for the first time. Just as the name “Sufyani” is a reference to Abu Sufyan, the enemy of Islam, this character is an enemy of the Mahdi. Despite no apparent military threat to Jordan, King Abdullah's massive military buildup suggests preparation for war. His appearance (red skin, blond hair, blue eyes) and the red banner of his army align with the narrations. The Banu Kalb, an Arabian tribe mainly in Jordan, also ties into these prophecies. Moreover, King Abdullah suggests that all Islamic schools of thought pledge allegiance to him to unite Muslims under one banner through the Amman Message, announced on November 9, 2004. This initiative aimed to clarify to the modern world the true nature of Islam and lay the foundation for religious justification for King Abdullah's actions. With potential backing from Western nations and Islamic authorities, this could lead to a significant conflict meant to prevent the Mahdi's arrival. The narrations indicate that this conflict will culminate in a confrontation between the Sufyani and the Mahdi. Abu Abdullah As-Sadiq said: "Al-Yamani and as-Sufyani will rise like two racehorses." (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Book 2, Chapter 18, Hadith 15) Let us not forget that in 2018, our satellite channel "The Black Banners of the East" aired a documentary on the Sufyani, prompting complaints from the Jordanian government. They even offered to outpay us to shut down the channel if we didn’t remove the documentary. This situation highlights the significant preparations for a war that many believe will shape the end times. An Ancient Threat of War In the video “Submission to Imam Mahdi is the Key to Enlightenment,” Aba Al-Sadiq explains why humans don’t have eyes in their hands: God placed eyes in our heads so we can't see ourselves but rather focus on others. Human beings will only be happy by forgetting about themselves and becoming busy with the needs of others. But the governments, who are the leaders of the nations, are offering systems that are anything but that. And unfortunately, people unwittingly support these systems by voting for them. The core issue on Earth is the persistent threat of war, present since humanity's creation. When Satan was commanded by Allah to prostrate to Adam, he refused, believing himself superior. Consequently, God stripped him of his position. Satan vowed to lead humans astray: “For leaving me to stray I will lie in ambush for them on Your Straight Path. I will approach them from their front, their back, their right, their left, and then You will find most of them ungrateful.” (Qur'an, Chapter 7 (Al-Araf), Verses 16-17) His influence is limited to inspiring hearts, and it’s up to individuals to either heed or ignore his temptations. Satan aims to prove humans unworthy of their potential. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib said, "Indeed, Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, has endowed the angels with intellect without desire, and He has endowed animals with desire without intellect, and He has endowed the children of Adam with both. Thus, whoever's intellect prevails over his desire is better than the angels, and whoever's desire prevails over his intellect is worse than the animals.” (Ilal Al-Shara’i’, Al-Shaikh Al-Saduq, Vol. 1, p. 3) Satan is looking to make sure that human beings behave “worse than the animals.” Satan knows exactly that "Yaum al Qiyamah" (The Day of Resurrection) will be led by the forerunners of the Mahdi, the Yamani, and the Qaim (Riser), ending his interference in human affairs. As Satan said, "Do You see this one whom You have honored above me? If You delay me until the Day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy his descendants, except for a few.” (Qur'an, Chapter 17 (Al-Isra), Verse 62) He delights in human bloodshed, therefore it is absolutely clear that he inspired the people to kill each other over centuries, perpetuating wars and rumors of wars to assert his supposed superiority over Adam and to convince God of mankind's inferiority. This is why the end times are fraught with conflict. Satan seeks to obscure the coming of the Savior with enhanced darkness, making it impossible for humanity to see the light, just as the deepest darkness of the night precedes dawn. Say “No” to the Craziness As indicated in numerous narrations, the Ahlul Bayt give us clear instructions to watch out for an increase in wars as a sign that it is time to pledge allegiance to the Qaim of the Family of Mohammed, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq. He is the only one who comes with a letter of appointment, profound knowledge, and the banner that states, “Allegiance is to God.” Aba Al-Sadiq is the sole figure uniting people from all corners of the earth to oppose the chaos on this planet. He has stated that he can resolve global issues without any bloodshed. However, it seems that people will only turn to him when faced with overwhelming difficulties. In such times, they will remember his claims of having a solution and will flock to him in great numbers. He envisions a better world where God's vicegerent is rightly placed on the throne, as intended by the Almighty from the beginning. If the world's leaders, driven by self-interest and the same Satanic forces that rebelled against Adam, choose to attack, they will witness Allah's might manifest in our defence. The Qaim of the Family of Mohammed declares, “We are at peace with whoever is at peace with us and we are at war with whoever is at war with us.”

Maznan Othman Bin Ahmed, 58, is a member of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light and the official artist for the Divine Just State magazine. Originally from Malaysia, Maznan gained international attention in July 2023,  following an LGBTQ+ Solidarity protest  by 8 members of the religion in Sogo Kuala Lumpur, which went viral . The protest was held in reaction to the strict persecution and capital punishment directed at the LGBTQ+ community in Malaysia in the name of Islam. After a campaign of state sponsored persecution, arrests and death threats from the general public in Malaysia, the 8 brave protestors fled to the UK where they now reside and work for the Divine Just State.  Maznan spoke with Divine Just State correspondent Alexandra Foreman about his dangerous journey. What was your life like before you became a believer in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light? I was born and raised in a family of Sunni Muslims. My father is a policeman, and my mother is a full-time housewife. I am the eldest of four siblings. From childhood, we were taught that the companions are the successors of the prophets' caliphate and that we are commanded to glorify them. In Malaysia, I worked as a full-time painter. I painted and drew murals for schools and kindergartens and created illustrations for books and magazines. For over 20 years, I was a freelance artist and supported my family through this work. Before becoming an Ahmadi believer, I spent a lot of time reading religious books. Since I am interested in drawing, I also enjoyed creating religious-themed art. Through this process, I encountered many questions and disagreements in religion for which I could find no correct answers, particularly concerning the issue of Imam Mahdi. In Sunni Islam, I found that information about Imam Mahdi is lacking and limited, with most narratives being very confusing. For example, Sunnis believe that Imam Mahdi comes specifically to defend Muslims, while in the Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Quran, and even the Bhagavad Gita, Imam Mahdi is portrayed as the savior of all of mankind at the end of time. Malaysia is a plural country made up of various races such as Malays, Chinese and Indians. Unfortunately, the Malaysian government celebrates the supremacy of the Malays to the point of causing injustice to other races.  For example, in political and economic matters, the rights and interests of other nations are always neglected, causing dissatisfaction among the Malaysian community. What was your experience after the LGBTQ+ Solidarity protest? How were you treated? How do you feel about the campaign of attacks from the Malaysian government on your religion? After the LGBTQ+ gathering, we were severely mocked by the Malaysian community. Following our arrest by the religious authorities and the police, they prepared a prosecution to punish us harshly for our offense. They condemned the teachings of the Ahmadi religion for supporting LGBTQ+ day and night. A press statement was made by the chief of police of Malaysia stating that The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is: “ One of the 7 deviated faith and its members are being closely monitored for spreading false teachings, causing disharmony and being a threat to the safety of the country. ” (Malaymail, 2024) At the police station and the Department of Islamic Religion in Malaysia, we were repeatedly abused psychologically. Government officials denounced us as agents of Zionist Israel, terrorists who threaten the harmony of the country, apostates deviating from the true teachings of Islam, and practitioners of heresy that threaten the faith of the younger generation. They claimed we deserved to be severely punished for violating Malaysia's sharia and criminal laws. Even the Religious Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) released a statement that the teachings of The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light are against Islamic Sharia. But I believe that the government’s campaign to slander our faith will eventually backfire. Since we left the country, they have blocked our social media accounts several times - but every time we open new accounts, the religion gains even more followers. The truth will come out in the end! Unfortunately, with the investigation under way, we had no choice but to go abroad, leaving behind our beloved families. After being advised by a Malaysian NGO regarding our arrest in Sogo, we fled the country. I had to leave behind a wife and six children. Unfortunately, my wife and children do not share my faith. Just before the event in Soho, my wife and I were busy making final preparations for our daughter's wedding. As a father of six children, this was a historic moment for our family. I still remember how sweet and mischievous they were as children, and could not believe the time for her wedding had come so soon. Unfortunately, after the tragedy in Soho and the rampant slander from scholars against the Ahmadi religion, I had to flee the country and missed her wedding.  Today, my eldest daughter still calls me and longs for my return to celebrate the birth of my first grandchild, who is due this December. She is 27 years old, and her five siblings range from 26 years old to the youngest at 14 years old. Although we are far apart, and although we now differ in faith, I believe that in the end, God's truth and justice will prevail. Life is only a test for all His sincere servants, and surely God will not waste the lives of those who are sincere. Legal pressure from the authorities, criticism from citizens, and even death threats from extremist religious groups caused me and my friends, who were involved in a peaceful assembly to support the human rights of LGBTQ people, to feel that Malaysia is a cruel country that does not practice justice and the real truth. What charges did you receive from the protest? And what is the status of the case now? The Islamic Religious Department of the Federal Territory prosecuted us for the criminal offence of issuing false claims about the appearance of Imam Mahdi. The minister in the prime minister’s department accused us of following dangerous teachings capable of corrupting the minds of the young generation. The Religious Muftis of Pahang and Kelantan declared us apostates who had departed from the teachings of Islam and deserved the harshest punishment. Even the Royal Malaysian Police accused us of heresy that could threaten the country's security and stability. So far, the case regarding our LGBTQ peaceful gathering in Malaysia and the humanitarian message of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light continues to receive widespread attention and coverage from mainstream media in Malaysia and from social media users. Although our TikTok broadcasts have been blocked by the government, many people have shown deep interest in the humanitarian message of this religion, and hundreds have joined the religion since the event. What do you think of the Malaysian government and the official Islamic religion in Malaysia? Malaysia is a pluralistic country made up of various races, including Malays, Chinese, and Indians. It always bothered me that the Malaysian government promotes Malay supremacy, leading to injustice for other races. For example, in political and economic matters, the rights and interests of other communities are often neglected, causing dissatisfaction among the Malaysian populace. The Malaysian government is also highly corrupt. Most politicians in Malaysia engage in corrupt practices. To me, the official religion of Malaysia does not reflect the true teachings of Islam.  What is the situation like for believers currently still in Malaysia? After the call of AROPL spread throughout the world, the Malaysian government became worried about its influence. The government responded by threatening to arrest every single follower in Malaysia. We have also received reports of them being threatened and their social media groups being infiltrated and monitored. This situation forced followers in Malaysia to keep their involvement in the AROPL faith a secret. What was it that made you a believer in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light? How did you come to believe?  The main reason I started following the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is that I watched the "Arrivals" video series on YouTube. In the series, I was exposed to religious deviations that stem from the deviations of the religious scholars themselves. The videos, published by Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem, opened my eyes to the extent that I had no choice but to recognize the truth. After that, the Sermon of Hajj by Imam Ahmed Al-Hassan  and his divine quote, "Humanity First Before Religion" (from The Goal of the Wise  by Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem), truly connected me to the universal message of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light.  Ever since then, my life began to change significantly. I no longer recognize the end-times scholars as authoritative and view them as the most vile creatures under the sky, as Prophet Muhammad warned the muslim nation long ago. The scholars and leaders they support are the main enemies of Imam Mahdi.  How does your faith inspire your artwork and has it changed since you became a believer?    Before this dawah, I liked to do artwork pertaining to fictional superheroes, but after I embraced the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, I realised that the real superheroes of the world are the 12 Imams and the 12 Mahdis. The faith in the Supremacy of God has profoundly inspired me to spread the dawah through my artworks. I hope people from all over the world will be drawn to embrace the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light through my drawings and paintings. At this moment, I am still in the process of making the Illustrated version of the book "The Goal of the Wise" by Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem. With the blessing of the Imam, I plan to finish it as soon as possible.

From blood moons to scorching heat waves, our planet is staging a show that is mesmerizing and at the same time alarming. Extraordinary celestial events and unprecedented natural events have captivated global attention, causing both wonder and concern. In January 2019, billions gazed skyward to witness the rare "super blood wolf moon," a celestial event that followed the equally remarkable "super blue blood moon" of January 2018.  These mysterious astronomical occurrences, while awe-inspiring, seem to foreshadow a worrying trend. Fast forward to 2024, we find the world witnessing an unrelenting global heat wave. June marked the 13th consecutive month of record-breaking temperatures according to the European Union's Climate Service. Each month since June 2023 has been warmer than the same month in previous years. 2024 has the potential to become the hottest year in recorded history. As the world struggles to deal with unprecedented occurrences of extreme weather, coupled with devastating earthquakes and mysterious eclipses, we cannot help but wonder if there is more going on than we realize. Extremes Events on the Rise Natural disasters and extreme events are occurring at an alarming frequency. From the powerful earthquakes that have shaken entire regions such as Turkey-Syria (2023) to devastating hurricanes like Hurricanes Beryl (2024) and Sandy (2012) that have battered coastlines, one calamity follows another in rapid succession. The devastation caused by natural disasters is staggering. The recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have claimed over 55,000 lives . Hurricane Sandy left a trail of destruction in its wake. Sandy's impact was felt by millions, with 8 million affected by power outages and an estimated $70 billion in damages  across the United States. Wildfires scorch vast expanses of land, consuming everything in their path. In 2023, a total area that was approximately twice the size of Luxembourg, totalling 504,002 hectares , was scorched in the EU. No matter where you turn, reports of tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters impacting various parts of the world dominate the headlines. Although some may argue that natural calamities have occurred throughout history, the frequency and severity of these natural disasters have increased dramatically in recent decades. Turkey Syria Earthquake Hurricane Sandy Wildfires increase in Europe The Scale and Frequency of Natural Calamities According to the 2020 Ecological Threat Register, the number of natural disasters has grown tenfold since the 1960s. The Institute for Economics and Peace provides more in-depth data, revealing a rise from just 39 incidents in 1960 to 396 in 2019. Earthquakes serve as a prime example of this alarming trend. Data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows a striking increase in earthquake occurrences from 1900 to 2008. Some of the most devastating earthquakes in recent memory include the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which claimed an estimated 230,000 lives across multiple countries, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, which resulted in between 100,000 and 316,000 deaths. The economic cost has been substantial, with global damages from natural disasters in 2023 alone amounting to   $380 billion. It is clear that despite the remarkable advancements in technology and scientific understanding, our world is witnessing an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. This begs the question: why are these calamities escalating despite our progress? Scientists predict this increase in natural disasters to be a consequence of climate change. The consensus is that global warming causes a rise in extreme weather and the resulting natural calamities that we observe.  Interestingly, the escalation of these disasters also aligns with prophecies across belief systems. From Christianity and Islam to Hinduism, many religious texts describe a period of upheaval and natural calamities that precede a time of great change. The parallels between these scriptural descriptions and current events are profound and unsettling, challenging us to consider the foundations of our understanding. Natural Disasters in Sacred Texts From a religious perspective, the escalating frequency and severity of natural disasters are seen as evidence of the end times. This sentiment resonates across the scriptures of many faiths, most notably in Islam and Christianity. The Book of Revelation in Christianity foretells earthquakes, famines, and other calamities as precursors to the apocalypse and the Second Coming of Christ. “And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.” (Bible, Book of Luke, Chapter 21, Verse 11) In Islamic sources, natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, and celestial events like eclipses are viewed as signs of the approaching Day of Judgment and the rise of the Qaim. The Quran explicitly mentions these phenomena as signs of the end times.  “He asks, ‘When will be the Day of Resurrection?’ When the eye is dazzled, and the moon is eclipsed, and the sun and the moon are brought together.” (Qur’an, Chapter 75 (Al-Qiyama), Verses 7-10) Some Muslim scholars have interpreted the recent surge in natural disasters as a fulfillment of these prophecies. The Prophet said, “The Hour (Last Day) will not be established until (religious) knowledge will be taken away, earthquakes will be very frequent, time will pass quickly, afflictions will appear, murders will increase and money will overflow amongst you.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Bukhari, Book of Invoking Allah for Rain, Hadith 31) Allah's Messenger said, “The famine would not break out because of drought, but there would be famine despite heavy rainfall as nothing would grow from the earth.” (Sahih Muslim, Muslim ibn Al-Hajjaj Al-Naysaburi, Book 54, Hadith 57)   Divine Messengers and Natural Calamities - A Historical Pattern An intriguing and notable aspect, when we consider religion, is that these natural disasters coincide with the presence of a messenger. Throughout history, religious texts have often associated the advent of a divine messenger with the occurrence of natural calamities. In the Quran, it is mentioned that a severe flood struck the people of Prophet Noah, earthquakes destroyed the communities of Prophets Lot and Thamud, and a violent storm devastated the people of Prophet Hud.  “And in (the tribe of) A'ad (there is a portent) when we sent the fatal wind against them.” (Qur'an, Chapter 51 (Al-Dhariyat), Verse 41) Similarly, during the time of Prophet Moses, nine signs were shown to Pharaoh's people; including droughts, floods, and plagues. This pattern of natural disasters coinciding with the advent of a messenger is not unique to Islam. In the Book of Revelation in the Bible, the arrival of the end times is marked by a series of catastrophic events, such as water turning to blood, locust plagues, and celestial disturbances, similar to the plagues during the time of Moses. In the Bible we read: “Thus says the Lord, ‘By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned to blood.’” (Bible, Book of Exodus, Chapter 7, Verse 17) “Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt.” (Bible, Book of Exodus, Chapter 9, Verse 23) And in the Qur'an: “So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs” (Qur'an, Chapter 7 (Al-Araf), Verse 133) Those who rejected the prophets in the past faced severe calamities. Similarly, in this last age, God Almighty has sent to us the Promised Messiah, the Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq, along with warnings from the past of the critical importance of heeding the divine messengers.  Imam Al-Baqir said: “If the Sea of Najaf dries up and a hundred years have passed after that, then wait for a man. It was said, ‘And who is he, Oh son of the Messenger of Allah?’ He said ‘Meem and Ha and Meem and Dal’ (Arabic letters MHMD).” (250 Signs until the Appearance of Imam Mahdi, Muhammad Ali Tabatabai, p. 56. Sign 1130) The sea of Najaf started to dry in the year 1887, and the dryness was completed in the year 1915. A hundred years after 1915 is 2015, which was the very year that Imam Mahdi appeared, on January 23rd, when the Qaim Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem Appeared with the black banner that reads "Allegiance is to Allah" and announced he was the messenger of Imam al-Mahdi, the 12th Imam, and that his name was mentioned in the Will of Prophet Muhammad. Both religious and scientific viewpoints do agree that natural disasters are on the rise, with no signs of abating despite technological advancements. While the escalating frequency is attributed to different factors, the undeniable reality is that our planet is undergoing profound and unsettling changes. Strikingly, this trend precisely aligns with divine prophecy foretelling of disasters in nature in the end times. It resonates particularly with Jesus’ warning of the end times arriving "like a thief in the night" - suddenly and unexpectedly. Similarly, natural disasters seem to be creeping up on humanity, catching us off guard, only to face the realization that the end times have materialized without us being aware of it. As we confront the increasing frequency and severity of natural calamities in this age, we are reminded through the past to heed the divine messenger, the promised relief sent by God in our time to provide us with the wisdom and fortitude to weather the storms that lie ahead.

Deeply embedded in the collective unconscious and deep rooted psyche of humanity is the perpetual hope and desire to band together as one, to support the return of a divine archetype, to lead humanity back into an Edenic state and escape from the heart of darkness that prevails in the world today. Popular literature and films from time immemorial reflect this aspect; Neo who becomes the master of the Matrix in the Trilogy, Aslan in Narnia’s Chronicles, or Paul Atreides as ‘Mahdi’  (guided one), who comes as the ‘tongue of the unseen’, therefore is able to reveal deep esoteric wisdom previously hidden from the people to help guide them back to truth.  This same hero and divine archetype is revealed throughout the diverse religions of the world and ages. On closer inspection, a common thread of truth is observed that runs through all divine religions despite schisms tearing apart devotees of all mainstream faiths, especially today as highlighted by religious wars. The arrival of an enlightened sage or guide has clearly been promised to emerge in this age of tribulation. The Savior in Hinduism: The Kalki ‘Chakravarti’ or universal philosopher kings, such as Lord Vishnu, Rama, and Krishna, were sent to Hindustan with wisdom from Vedic texts like the Ramayana, which spoke of a series of yugas, or cyclical ages. According to their cosmology, we are now at the end of the present demonic and despotic Kali Yuga, where evil reigns supreme. False virtue, crass materialism, and widespread intoxication prevail, with people, especially among the ruling elite of politics and religion, lacking inhibitions. Consequently, scandals occur daily, media censorship is rampant, freedom of expression is suppressed, and suffering is the norm. "At this time the rulers of the earth will have degenerated into plunderers." (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.3.25) "At that point of time there will be chaos on earth. Brahma-Vaivarta Purana." (Prakriti Khanda, Chapter 7.60) At this pivotal time, the Kalki avatar is unveiled: the divine, supreme, benevolent, and righteous King of creation. He comes to vanquish and banish the demon Kali, who symbolizes the negative, devilish forces on Earth. Interestingly, we note how rulership has fallen into the hands of unworthy tyrants who were elected to positions of power, defying God’s true succession. "At the end of Kali-yuga, when there exist no topics on the subject of God, even at the residences of so-called saints and respectable gentlemen of the three higher varnas [castes], and when the power of government is transferred to the hands of ministers elected from the lowborn Shudra class or those less than them, and when nothing is known of the techniques of sacrifice, even by word, at that time the Lord will appear as the supreme chastiser." (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.7.38) The fact that the Kalki also comes with a new banner of supreme divine guidance to unite the disparate groups and grant salvation to the pious, widow, orphan, oppressed is especially noteworthy.  "He will be the only ruler of the world that cannot be controlled, and will be the banner of victory and adorable to the world." (The Padma Purana, 6.71.279-282) Lord Kalki is a reformer who brings forth a completely new set of revolutionary laws and jurisprudence that unsettle those fixated and stuck on the letter of the law. On the other hand, an awakening generation seeking only eternal truth and wisdom absorbs this knowledge and accepts it wholeheartedly. "He will be the imperial sovereign, ever victorious by the strength of his virtue. He will restore order and peace in this world, overcrowded with creatures and contradictory in its laws. That effulgent and greatly intelligent Brahmana will destroy all things. He will be the destroyer of all and He will be the maker of a new Yuga [Satya-Yuga]. That twice-born one surrounded by the Brahmanas, will exterminate all the low and despicable mlecchas wherever they will be found." (The Mahabharatra, Vana Parva, 190.93-97) Kalki is the spark that precipitates the advent of this spiritually evolved Satya Yuga, or Golden Age. He will synchronize with 'the Dharma' and natural laws of the universe, encouraging sincere truth seekers untainted by worldly attachments to reflect on his light and become 'Brahmins' (pure and pious) in their own right. This will usher in a new age of saints and sages with expanded consciousness, where only positive karma prevails and peace reigns on earth, with disease eradicated. Towards this critical end, a Shambala state of love and tranquility will prevail; the class or caste system will dissolve, and teachers, doctors, cleaners, and refugees will be treated equally under the righteous banner of faith. Guardians will be suitably prepared to become regional governors in their own right, reflecting the divine virtues of Kalki. Meanwhile, merchants, craftsmen, and producers will selflessly contribute to this common divine cause, mirroring Socrates' ‘Ideal state’. "They will be extremely religious and well-versed in the Vedic knowledge. In every household, there will again be chaste ladies devoted to religion. There will be regional kings who will be devoted to their own Dharma, devoted to Brahmanas, as well as glorious, devoted to Dharma, and will be performing always good deeds and activities. The Vaishyas [Vedically principled and honest merchants] will engage themselves in commerce and will be devoted to the Brahmanas and religion. The Shudras [or worker class, artists, performers, etc.] also will be quite meritorious, devoted to Dharma and adore the Brahmanas." (Brahma-Vaivarta Purana, Prakriti Khanda, Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam, Chapter 7) The Savior in Buddhism: The Maitreya Likewise, in the Orient, a savior figure known as the Maitreya, the fifth Buddha or guide for humanity, is eagerly anticipated with remarkable similarities. The word is derived from the Sanskrit "Maitrī," meaning "loving-kindness," and "Mitra," meaning "friend." The character of this individual will be distinguished by supreme godly manners and the deepest reverence for God. Siddhartha Gautama spoke with devotion about the Maitreya and his establishment of an eternal universal religion, attracting many supporters and adepts across religious divides. "In due time another Buddha will rise in the world, a holy one, a supreme enlightened one, endowed with auspicious wisdom embracing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a ruler of gods and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths, which I have taught you. He will establish his law or Religion, glorious in its origins, glorious at the climax and glorious at the goal in the spirit and the letter. He will proclaim a righteous life wholly perfect and pure, such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousands, while mine number many hundreds. He will be known as Maitreya." (Digha Nikaya iii., 76)   The Matriyea’s arrival would occur when the Dharma, or 'Cosmic Law and Order,' has been forgotten or neglected by most people on Earth, and religion has become sectarian and primarily ritualistic, devoid of any spiritual essence. Buddhists likewise recognize this material universe as manifesting in a series of 'Kalpa' or cycles, with this age marked by signs all around us, such as extreme darkness and the wickedness of conceit, lies, and hypocrisy of 'Mara’ (spiritual darkness). This is also reflected at the community level, with apathy towards others, especially the weak and elderly, and tolerance for oppression and tyranny, while rape and murder proliferate. "In the evil age to come, living beings will decrease in good qualities and increase in utter ignorance." (Lotus Sutra, 13) An increase in violent robberies and moral degeneration makes people yearn for the coming of Maitreya even more desperately. The primary objective through Maitreya's guidance is to establish a Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, as reflected through Kalki. This objective will be actualized only when Maitreya's close helpers remove any doubt from their hearts, a s it has been revealed in the Sanskrit, 'The adepts will lose their doubts, and the torrents of their cravings will be cut off: free from all misery they will manage to cross the ocean of becoming; and, as a result of Maitreya's teachings, they will lead a holy life. No longer will they regard anything as their own, they will have no possession, no gold or silver, no home…But they will lead the holy life of oneness under Maitreya's guidance. They will have torn the net of the passions.... and theirs will be an abundance of joy and happiness, for they will lead a holy life under Maitreya's guidance." (Trans. in Conze, 1959:241) The Maitreya will be full of dedication and devotion, bringing forth beneficent laws and willing to sacrifice everything. He will bear no barriers and set a clear path for his companions to follow. Prophet Buddha said, "Listen attentively with one heart. A man whose spirit shines brightly, a man whose mind is completely unified, a man whose virtue excels everyone - such a man will truly appear in this world. When he preaches precious laws, all the people will be totally satisfied as if the thirsty drink sweet drops of rain from heaven. And each and everyone will attain the path of liberation from struggles." (Sutra of the Great Accomplishment of the Maitreya) One remarkable prophecy for the Maitreya states that he will gather people from diverse nations under one banner, similar to the anticipated Mahdi (guided one) in Islamic eschatology. "The banner of Shambala shall encircle the central lands of the Blessed One. Those who accept him shall rejoice, and those who deny him shall tremble. The decriers shall be given over to justice and shall be forgotten. The warriors shall march under the banner of Maitreya." (The prophecy of Shambhala) The Savior of Mesoamerica: The Kukulcan The Olmecs, Mayans, and Quiche of Mesoamerica received a mysterious divine messenger, Quetzalcoatl or Kukulcan, first depicted in a stela from 900 BC by the Olmecs. In his first incarnation, he came from the Western seas beyond to teach agriculture, medicine, astronomy, and divine laws. Through his teachings and the sacred scripture, the Popol Vuh, people were inspired to use Archaeoastronomy (a sacred science) to connect with the constellations and calculate the cosmic calendar, called Tzolkin. This led to the prophecy of the return of a messianic enlightened being, similar to the return of Christ, to usher in a new age at the end of the great cycle. The figure was portrayed as a plumed serpent in Teotihuacán, Mexico. They predicted that the Plumed Serpent, symbolizing Kukulcan, would rise again as a divine figure from the Western world to reunite disparate nations during a time of cataclysm, mass extinctions, and the collapse of the ecology and moral fabric of humanity. "Would that he (Kukulcan) might return from the west, uniting us in commiseration over our present unhappy plight! This is the fulfillment of the prophecies." (Ahua, Katun 5) The serpent symbol represents the unfolding of dormant and hidden energy and power, an immanent force precipitating the transformative, metamorphosis of humanity's mental structure. This transformation facilitates a new dawn, ushering in peace and light to the world once again. "The Plumed Serpent (Kukulkan), will return. His face of sun will dispel the darkness. It is the sign of Hunab Ku that is manifested for the illumination of the world. The Time has come, the hour has arrived, the humanity of the new Sun is born. Contemplate your signal now! The world will awaken for those that understand." (Books of Chilam Balam - Sacred books of the Yucatec Maya) The Savior in Zoroastrianism: The Saoshyant In the Middle East, among the heartlands of Persia, the Gathas of Prophet Zoroaster speak of the Saoshyant, an eschatological savior figure and benefactor, who will be victorious in a final showdown between the forces of light and darkness in a battle for the allegiance of pure souls. He will indeed facilitate ‘ Frashokereti’  'to make existence brilliant',  by spreading divine truth to humanity after chaos has reigned. It is interesting to note that this figure is said to bring forth rarified souls who are resurrected in this era to be fully purified. As a result, the world will return to its undefiled state, with disease, greed, and hunger eradicated. "They will accompany the Victorious Saošyant, as well as (his) other companions, when he will make existence wonderful (frašәm), not aging, imperishable, not rotting, not putrefying, ever-living, ever-thriving, when the dead will rise up." (Yt 19.89, Avesta) "He will act as a Godly father to mankind and his close brethren. “...such a person, by reason of his virtuous conception, is an ally, a brother, or a father (of Thee), Wise Lord, the Master of the house Who shall save [Saoshyant] (us)." (Yasna - Hymns of Praise, 45.11) He will be the one to guide humanity to destroy evil thinking, actions and align the world with peace and light. “Let fury be stopped. Cutaway cruelty, ye who wish to attract the attention of good thinking, along with (that of) truth...” (Yasna - Hymns of Praise, 48.7)  The Saoshyant will establish : "The rule of truth and good th inking by means of which one shall create peace and tranquility." (Yasna - Hymns of Praise, 29.10) Sashoyant will be a force for truth and justice that overcomes tyrants and oppressors, drawing truth seekers together through his love for humanity. He will teach them the key principle of self-control, focusing on the common good of the people as a priority. Thus, he will serve as a model for the creation of a new group of Saoshyants around the world who are truly wise and follow the true path. Their actions will be inspired by Sashoyant and aligned with his teachings; indeed, they will become conquerors of hate and anger, promoters of love and peace, and worthy governors of the new world, as per God’s absolute will. “Yes, those men shall be the Sashoyant of the lands, namely, those who shall follow their knowledge of Thy teaching with actions in harmony with good thinking and with truth, Wise One. These indeed have been fated to be the expellers of fury.” (Yasna - Hymns of Praise, 48.12) "Who are the makers and governors, the shapers and overseers, the keepers and preservers of these creations of Ahura Mazda. It is they who shall restore the world, which will (thenceforth) never grow old and never die, never decaying and never rotting, ever living and ever increasing, and master of its wish, when the dead will rise, when life and immortality will come, and the world will be restored at its wish." (Zamyad Yasht - Hymn to the Earth, 19:18-19) The Savior in Ancient Egypt: Hermes, Thoth or Enoch  Remarkably all these prophecies tend to lead to one eternal truth and coincide with the traits and wisdom of the great sage Idris, also known as Enoch, Hermes or Thoth. He is known as the first intelligence and embodiment of the universal mind, who promised to return in this epoch age to hold to account the dark forces who have usurped religion and political control. He calls back those who went astray cleansing the world from evil, expelling war and pestilence.  "But in a time yet unborn will I rise again, mighty and potent, requiring an accounting of those left behind me......and require of thee that which ye guard...rewarding or punishing  as ye have requited your trust." (Emerald Tablets, Thoth) This is indeed profoundly prophetic when we witness dark figures like the cold hearted and ruthless Putin going on a megalomaniacal rampage. Whilst the senile and deranged Biden and the imbecilic Trump being elected by mob rule to the seat of world power. In the meantime the majority of people have become obsessed with Hollywood titillation, fame, status, and "me first" campaigns. "Every sacred voice will be silenced. Darkness will be preferred to light. No eyes will rise to heaven. The pure will be thought insane and the impure will be honored as wise. The madman will be believed brave, and the wicked esteemed as good. Knowledge of the immortal soul will be laughed at and denied. No reverent words worthy of heaven will be heard or believed." (Asclepius or Perfect Sermon, Lament of Thrice Great, Hermes) Hermes, Thoth or Idris was known as a master of manifesting thought through the arts of writing, math, healing and sewing in Al Khemet. In his perfect discourse through Asclepius, Thoth reveals many secrets are encoded in Egypt and the pyramids to be revealed in a time when darkness has overtaken the world, profanity and crass materialism reigns supreme and piety is lost.  The Universal Riser of Truth: Aba Al-Sadiq The Riser of Islam, Aba Al-Sadiq and his father Ahmed Al-Hassan are the savior figures prophesied in the different world religions. Aba Al-Sadiq is the Companion of Egypt, an enigmatic eschatological figure said to reveal the secrets of the pyramids in due time.  "The companion of Egypt is the sign of the signs, if he emerges know that the Mahdi will knock on your doors, so before he knocks fly to him in the domes of the clouds or come to him even if you have to crawl on ice ." (What Imam Ali said Concerning the End Times, Al-Sayed Ali Ashoor, p. 330) Remarkably true, this references the great builder of the pyramids and the return of the enigmatic Thoth or Hermes. In 2016, Aba Al-Sadiq established a media platform in Egypt—a satellite channel on NileSat called 'The Black Banners of the East'—to disseminate divine knowledge and proofs regarding the 'Riser of God' and his companions. Similarly, the events in our lifetime, such as the complete destruction of Syria, serve as verifiable proof for the return of the Mahdi and Qaim. Imam Ali clarified that:   ‘I shall build in Egypt a platform, and I shall destroy Damascus brick by brick… . He was asked: ‘It is as if you are saying you shall come to life after your death?’ The Imam responded: ‘Wait O Abaya, you have taken it in another way, a man from me shall do it.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 53, p. 60, Hadith 47) “And I learnt that the great platform of the Mahdi at the end of times will be from Egypt, and the carpet shall be unrolled to him by a man whose strength is iron and his heart is strong, God shall open to him the opening of the Knowers.” (What Imam Ali said Concerning the End Times, Al-Sayed Ali Ashoor, p. 328) Prophet Muhammed explained how the Mahdi would likewise emerge in these apocalyptic days when there is so much oppression in the world and diseases would proliferate. “At that time what is vice will be regarded as a virtue, and what is a virtue will be regarded as vice.” (250 signs until the appearance of Imam Mahdi, Muhammad Ali Al-Tabataba’ei, p. 90) Imam Ali also confirmed that the Mahdi, like the saviors mentioned in the East, would raise a righteous banner, calling people back to the supremacy of God alone. The only banners on Earth today fulfilling this prophecy are the black banners of the East and Aba Al-Sadiq. Today, as Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq said, our matter is clearer than the sun. "Verily we, Ahlul Bayt have a banner, whoever goes before it has renegaded, whoever is late to it has perished, and whoever follows it has followed us, it is written upon it ‘Allegiance is to Allah." (250 signs until the appearance of Imam Mahdi, Muhammad Ali Al-Tabataba’ei, p. 15)  "Then the Black Banners shall come from the East ... .If you see him then pledge allegiance to him even if you have to crawl on ice, for verily he is the Caliph of God, the Mahdi." (Al-Barzanji in Isha’ah li Ashrat Al-Sa’a) We believe these coincidences are not accidental but actually fulfilled synchronistic signs heralding the advent of the world savior we have all longed for to manifest here on Earth. The Riser of truth also reveals a new book and a set of laws at a time when divine laws have been manipulated by human deception, aiming to restore religion anew. Similarly, he gathers believers from all corners of the Earth to support the establishment of a Divine Just State, with many of these noble souls becoming saints in their own right, as prophesied once again. Imam Muhammad bin Ali Al-Baqir: "When Imam Mahdi  appears he will have 313 men and 50 women with him, there will be no previous agreement among them, but they will come together in the same way that different clouds combine in the sky. This is a manifestation of God’s verse “Wherever you are, God will bring you all together. Truly God has power over all things." (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 223) Therefore, it is essential that we take this matter seriously today, coming together as a united community to support and elevate Aba Al-Sadiq —the true Riser, Thoth, Hermes, the Mahdi, Saoshyant, Kalki, Kukulcan, and Maitreya—to his rightful throne of rulership. Only then can we begin to reestablish an Edenic-like state on Earth as intended by God for mankind, and break free from the cycle of suffering and Samsara that has ensnared us all for multiple generations under the influence of devilish forces. The wise and logical Greek philosopher and prophet Socrates in his ‘Ideal State’ made a clear affirmation that this true Monarch of God comes forth to fulfill this duty as a philosopher king or lover of wisdom. He would be able to manage all political and spiritual affairs of the Kingdom at once, then and only then will it be possible for the Kingdom of Heaven to be truly established here on earth. “Until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils.” (Republic, Book 5, Plato) Hope and faith in God springs eternal for God’s devotees from all walks of life as this truly is a universal call devoid of prejudice. The final testament of truth echoes from Hermes, returned as Aba Al-Sadiq today, a warner and a guide for humanity,  "In order to put an end to error and to the general corruption, He will drown the world with a deluge or consume it by fire, or destroy it by wars and epidemics…This re-birth of the world, this restoration of all good things, this holy and sacred rehabilitation of Nature will take place when the time shall come which is appointed by the divine and ever-eternal will of God, without beginning and always the same." (Asclepius or Perfect Sermon, Lament of Thrice Great, Hermes)

UPDATE - August 23, 2024 The two members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Azerbaijan, who were detained for peacefully distributing flyers, have now been released. Their arrest sparked significant concern, as the authorities reportedly subjected them to harsh treatment during their detention. The detainees were then brutally beaten, with one of them, Rustem, suffering broken teeth. They described further abuse, including being sexually harrassed and assaulted. The detainees revealed that the authorities were initially planning to charge them with more severe offenses. However, the arrival of their lawyer, along with prominent Azerbaijani human rights activist Leila Yunus at the court, caused the police to reconsider. Instead of facing harsher charges, the detainees were sentenced to 30 days of imprisonment. UPDATE - August 8, 2024 The investigation in Azerbaijan extends now to all active Azeri members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. Azeri a uthorities have reportedly reached out to the fathers and uncles of several individuals associated with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, including Anar Alakbarov, Afsana Ahmadova, and Ashur Badalov. These relatives were contacted by representatives of the executive powers in various districts, including Kurdamir, Sharur, Agstafa, and Guba. The inquiries focused on the whereabouts and activities of their children, with the families responding that the individuals were currently abroad. When pressed for the reasons behind these inquiries, officials stated that the information was requested by the police but did not provide any further details. UPDATE - August 6, 2024   In a show of solidarity, Azeri refugees in Poland gathered today to protest the recent detention of Rustam Gasimli and Neriman Shabanzade . The peaceful demonstration took place outside the Azerbaijani Embassy in Warsaw, where protesters held signs demanding the release of their fellow believers and calling for greater religious freedom in Azerbaijan. The rally aimed to draw international attention to the plight of the detained missionaries, two of whom were recently sentenced to 30 days in prison for "hooliganism" and "disobedience to a police officer". The protesters in Poland hope their actions will highlight ongoing human rights abuses and pressure Azerbaijani authorities to respect freedom of expression and religious practice. UPDATE - July 31, 2024 Zibeyda Sadigova's appeal against the 30-day prison sentence for Rustam Gasimli and Neriman Shabanzade has been rejected by the court. In response, she suggested escalating the matter to the European Court of Human Rights. Meanwhile, several members of AROPL in Germany have gathered in front of the Azerbaijani embassy in Berlin to protest the arrests. The demonstration reflects growing international concern over the treatment of the detained members. UPDATE - Baku, July 24, 2024 Neriman Shabanzade Rustam Gasimli After 24 hours of enforced disappearance, Rustam Gasimli and Neriman Shabanzade resurfaced at the Sabail District Court this evening, where they were sentenced to a minimum of 30 days in prison for "hooliganism" and "disobedience to a police officer". The two were initially detained for distributing flyers in Baku. Zibeyda Sadigova, a prominent human rights lawyer affiliated with the European Human Rights Advocacy Center, has taken on their defense. Sadıgova reports that both individuals suffered beatings and severe abuse while in detention. She plans to appeal the court's decision, which she views as a blatant attempt to intimidate members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. The two were charged with article 510 and article 535.1 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Article 510 is charging them with "hooliganism"—an accusation that is outrageous, given that the activists were peacefully distributing flyers and the whole event was documented live on TikTok. The case has raised significant concerns about the state of human rights and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. UPDATE - Baku, July 23, 2024 The believers detained on July 20 have now been released. Yet, the State Committee on Religious Associations of the Republic of Azerbaijan  has now been involved in the matter and the members are still under investigation. Two members, Rustam Gasimli and Neriman Shabanzade, peacefully distributed flyers to pedestrians at 5pm Baku Time at Fountain Sqare. They were approached and detained by three police officers, who confiscated their phones and arrested them. They are currently unreachable. Their missionary activities were broadcast live on TikTok. UPDATE - Baku, July 22, 2024 Following inquiries with the defense lawyer, it has been confirmed that the detainees are facing charges under Article 515 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code ( Violation of the rules for the establishment and operation of religious organizations). The detainees reported that the Azerbaijani interrogators threatened them with rape should they continue to speak about religion. The authorities appeared particularly agitated by the media attention the incident attracted, focusing their investigation on those involved in filming and posting the event online. Additionally, the AROPL has received alarming reports that undercover police officers, posing as representatives from Human Rights Watch, have been contacting Azeri members of the faith after the incident. This tactic appears to be an effort to gather more information about the gatherings of AROPL members in Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan - On July 20, 2024, a group of 11 Azeri members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light conducted a missionary activity in Fountain Square, Baku. The individuals involved were the Azeri citizens Jalal Hajiyev, Ramil Ahmadov, Tural Veliyev, Ali Yasar Jafarov, Nijat Gahramanov, Rustam Gasimli, Fegan Rahimov, Kamil Qafarli, Taleh İmanov Ali Oglu, Elnur Mammadov, and Neriman Shabanzade. The group held up images of their religious leaders and preached about the tenets of their faith peacefully. They announced the appearance of Imam Mahdi as well as the Supremacy of God. Within ten minutes, they were surrounded by 11 police officers and military personnel. The authorities informed the group that their activities were disturbing passersby. Despite this, the missionaries continued their efforts, leading to the arbitary detention of 11 members after an additional ten minutes. The detained members were forcefully taken to police vehicles while still holding the images of their religious leaders. The incident was captured on video by a bystander and sympathizer, Behruz Cebrailov and is currently circulating on social media. The 11 members are currently detained at Sabayil District Police Department No. 9 in Baku . They are held for "resisting police" (Article 315 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code) and "disturbing public order" (Article 233 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code), which are articles that are typically used in Azerbaijan against dissidents and those with unconventional opinions. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light strongly condemns this violation of their right to manifest their faith. According to human rights organizations, Azerbaijan regularly detains dissidents, highlighting ongoing concerns about the country's commitment to human rights and freedom of expression. Info: Missionary work is a cornerstone of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, with proclaiming the glad tidings of a savior being a fundamental aspect of their practice. However, the state of Azerbaijan is actively preventing members of the AROPL from practicing their faith, compelling them to either conceal their religious beliefs or face imprisonment. “I ask that you organize yourselves and prepare to march openly on your streets, declaring your faith publicly, and proudly, no matter what the cost is my brothers and sisters. No matter what the cost. March forward and demand freedom for your brothers and sisters and for yourselves. March forward and let the world know your faith.” ( Aba Al-Sadiq-2023 )

Despite numerous reports about the life and teachings of Jesus, the majority of his life is shrouded in deep mystery and speculation, especially up until the age of 30 years old. Jesus came with a ministry that lasted just 3 years, yet in such a short time he was able to create a movement that has had a global impact that still reverberates today and influences billions. Jesus was an extremely humble man who practiced self-reflection and recognised the importance of stoicism, and his diligence was a prime example for mankind. Jesus' Mission: To Establish God's Kingdom on Earth Jesus made it abundantly clear from the outset that in fact he was a revolutionary character who had come to rule the people as a King, in charge of political and religious affairs. Jesus was enforced by the spirit of God to spread justice and harmony through his divine leadership. He was known as "the king of the Jews", because he was meant to rule over them. He was their Messiah, who came to build God's Kingdom on Earth for them. Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah to declare himself as being sent by God to come and establish equanimity and well-being for the poor and destitute, whilst being enforced to strike vengeance on the oppressors. Such a critical ideology did not escape the Jewish elders who colluded with the Roman elite to derail this movement and obscure its message to protect their status quo at any cost to humanity. It was no wonder in such a deviant political and religious climate that Jesus declared that he needed his supporters to be totally dedicated. To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, his devotees had to be prepared to sell everything they had and follow the messenger in whatever way he required without dispute, therefore be willing to sacrifice their lives and their families, to help achieve the divine goals. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.” (Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 16, Verse 25) The Early Christian Community after Jesus It is no wonder with such a revolutionary movement that the elite sought to silence this call, to defame the character of Jesus and ultimately, to execute him in the flesh. Yet even after Jesus apparently parted from the disciples, his successor Simon Peter continued in the way of Jesus and established a divine community in his name.  In the Bible, specifically in the book of Acts, many of these details are revealed. At least 120 people, including women and men, as well as Mary, the mother of Jesus, gathered together to support the mission of establishing a divine community after Jesus' departure. Love and support for the community were critical aspects that enabled the people to become God's flock of sheep. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Bible, Book of John, Chapter 13, Verse 35) This love manifested in the disciples living together, sharing their meals together and worshipping in congregation. Communal life was a central part of the early Christian faith. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Bible, Book of Acts, Chapter 2, Verse 42) Peter, the spirit of God in his time, spoke passionately about the outpouring of the spirit of faith coming over the helpers of God that gathered under his banner from all walks of life and occupations. They came from at least seventeen different nations; Jewish, Greeks, and Gentiles alike, with all languages and cultures blended together; irrespective of former sins, colors or creeds, becoming the 'multitudes' of the testament. “Many of them that believed were of one heart and soul.” (Bible, Book of Acts, Chapter 4, Verse 32) One could easily imagine how it was natural for people of diverse backgrounds and former creeds to have some obstacles and differences. Nonetheless, all would strive to become one body and movement for Christ, the core principle of this call to God. Through repentance and baptism people were forgiven for their sins, and open-heartedly came together to reject the corrupt generation. Soon enough, at least 3,000 faithful professed a commitment to live together in fellowship and hold possessions in common as a ‘koinonia’ and build this ideal state. In such a setting they would practice Jesus’ teachings, break bread and pray together, being united in spirit and purpose. In the early days, to encourage a rapid transformation, the more affluent would sell properties and possessions to give to others what they needed and harmonize the community. “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common...There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.” (Bible, Book of Acts, Chapter 4, Verses 32,34) Many former Jews were rejected by their families for following ‘the way’ of Christ, and deprived of an income, as this support represented a lifeline for Jesus’ movement. God provides to his people through his people. People became so faithful they were willing to put all their wealth at the feet of the disciples for them to distribute as they saw fit. The disciples, filled with God's spirit, shared their experiences with other believers, strengthening the community's conviction. Acts of generosity, self-sacrifice, and unity emerged, exemplified by individuals like Joseph, called Barnabas, who sold a property to support the community. In this atmosphere of goodness and generosity of spirit, God facilitated an outpouring of divine knowledge through the apostles. “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (Bible, Book of John, Chapter 15, Verse 15) The community was also enriched by many miracles. Peter encountered a man crippled from birth who begged for alms daily. When the man asked for help, Peter fixed his gaze on him, helped him stand up, and his ankles were strengthened. The man leapt and praised God, astonishing the people. Peter explained that this miracle was performed through the power of Jesus. A Divine Community and a Divine Just State Today The leaders of world religions today have set up their own states in the supposed guise of the Kingdom of God, but when we examine how they operate, we find that they do not represent the true values that Jesus proposed. The Vatican, the state of Israel, or the Islamic State of Iran all demonstrate huge wealth accumulation in the hands of a small elite — whilst, many of the people in Iran still suffer from old world diseases, torture and imprisonment when they speak out against state oppression.  However, God’s plan is infallible from corruption and in this apocalyptic eschatological age, God reassured us that this mission will be successful. There has now emerged one such state that is being established where the Riser of the family of Mohammed, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq is working tirelessly to bring Jesus’ model to fruition. This community gives everything it has and puts its full trust in God to live in peace and harmony together as one. Therefore we have a duty to recognise this divine call and put the other before the self, for the sake of all future generations. Jesus resonated with our mission today, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 10, Verses 37-39)

In a world often fraught with division, the concept of a Divine Just State in the End Times is a rare point of convergence across major religious traditions.  The idea of a perfect, divinely ordained society appears in various forms across Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and other faiths. These prophecies share strikingly similar themes; the eradication of evil, the establishment of peace and justice, and the reign of a messianic or divine figure. Christianity: The Kingdom of God In Christianity, the Book of Revelation describes the return of Jesus Christ, who will establish the Kingdom of God on Earth. This kingdom is envisioned as a realm of righteousness where sin, suffering, and death are abolished. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away,” states Revelation 21:4, encapsulating the Christian hope for divine justice and eternal peace. The prophet Isaiah provides a poignant image of this future state: “No one living in Zion will say, ‘I am ill’; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.” (Bible, Book of Isaiah, Chapter 33, Verse 24) This vision of a sinless, healthy society reflects the deep Christian hope for a world transformed by divine intervention. Isaiah also speaks of a time when: “The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.” (Bible, Book of Isaiah, Chapter 2, Verse 4) This imagery of disarmament and peace underscores the Christian anticipation of an era devoid of conflict and war, where God’s justice prevails universally. The Book of Daniel further describes the eternal nature of this divine kingdom: “And to him there were given rulership, honor, and a kingdom, that the peoples, nations, and language groups should all serve him. His rulership is an everlasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed.” (Bible, Book of Daniel, Chapter 7, Verse 14) This everlasting rule signifies the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of a just and enduring kingdom. Prophet Micah talks of a future that is not only marked by peace and prosperity but also by inclusivity and compassion: “In that day,” declares the Lord, 'I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.'” (Bible, Book of Micah, Chapter 4, Verses 6-7) The gathering of the marginalized and the establishment of a strong, inclusive community reflect the Christian belief in a kingdom where all are welcome and valued. Islam: The Caliphate of the Mahdi Islamic eschatology also foresees a transformative period. The Mahdi, a messianic figure, is prophesied to appear and lead Muslims toward an era of justice before the Day of Judgment. According to Islamic tradition, the Mahdi will unify the Muslim community, abolish tyranny, and establish a just rule. This vision is reinforced by the belief in the eventual return of Jesus (Isa), who will join the Mahdi in restoring justice and peace. According to Islamic tradition, al-Mahdi, often referred to as al-Qa’im, will emerge to establish a global Caliphate marked by unparalleled justice and prosperity. Bihar Al-Anwar recounts, "The Qaim shall rule for 309 years – he would fill up the earth with justice and equity just as it would be fraught with injustice and oppression. Then the Almighty Allah would conquer the whole earth for him." (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, Chapter 27, Hadith 212) Just like in Christian tradition, in this Divine Just State the sick would be healed of their ailments. The Hadith collection Kitab Al-Ghayba records, "When al-Qa’im appears, Allah will cure every sick believer and restore to him his power." (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Book 2, Chapter 21, Hadith 2) Further elaborating on al-Mahdi's role, another narration from the same source states, "When al-Qa’im of Ahlul Bayt rises, he will divide the wealth equally and rule justly over the people... He will fill the world with justice, equity and light after it has been filled with injustice, oppression and evil… He takes the Torah and the rest of the divine Books of Allah from the cave of Antakya (Antioch). He will judge among the people of the Torah with the Torah, among the people of the Bible with the Bible, among the people of Psalms (of Prophet David) with the Psalms and among the people of the Qur’an with the Qur’an. The wealth of the world is gathered to him from above the ground and from under the ground. He says to people: Come on to the wrong you have done to your kin! Come on to the bloods you have shed wrongfully! Come on to the sins you have committed! He will offer something that no one has ever offered before him." (Kitab Al-Ghayba, Al-Numani, Book 2, Chapter 13, Hadith 25) This narration foretells a society where wealth is equally distributed and governance is rooted in divine justice. It also underlines that the Divine Just State will be a state that values the right of freedom of religion. In another narration it states, “Those who are liable to pay Zakat would search for eligible Shia to give their Zakat to; they would go to each of their houses and call out, but the people would come out and say that they are not in need of charity.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, Chapter 27, Hadith 212) Poverty is prophesied to be ended in the Divine Just State. Another narration underscores the comprehensive nature of al-Mahdi’s governance, where divine guidance shapes every aspect of societal and environmental harmony. It is stated, that the Mahdi will complete the intellect of the people and provide them with twenty-seven letters of knowledge. "When al-Qa’im, the guardian of our family, will appear from occultation, Allah will place His hand over the heads of His servants and, thus, He places their intelligence together and completes their understanding." (Al-Kafi, Al-Shaikh Al-Kulayni, Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 21) “Knowledge is twenty-seven letters in total and everything which the Messengers brought forth are only two letters and the people to this very day know nothing but two letters. So if the Qaim emerges he will bring forth the twenty-five letters and spread them amongst the people and will add it to the previous two letters, until he spreads a total of twenty-seven letters.” (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 336) The time of the return of the Qaim is also the time of the return of important angels, that will support him in his mission to build a Divine Just State. Abi Jaffer said: "It is as if I am with the Qaim in Najaf, in Kufa, and he reached to it from Mecca with 5000 angels. Gabriel is on his right and Michael is on his left." (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 52, p. 337) Likewise, we find a narration that mentions that even the physical environment of the world will change in the divine just state. The sixth Shia Imam, Ja'far Al-Sadiq, is recorded to have said: "Allah will bring forth in this Ummah, a man who belongs to me and I belong to him. Allah will send the blessings of the heavens and the earth through him. The heavens will rain down its drops; and the earth will grow out its seeds: and its beasts and brutes will live in harmony; will be full of equity and justice, as it had been replete with oppression and injustice.” (Ghaybat Al-Tusi, Al-Shaikh Al-Tusi, p. 119, Hadith 149) Jafar Al-Sadiq said, “When the one of us who rises (Qa’im) rises, the earth will shine with the light of its lord. Men will not need the light of the sun and darkness will vanish. In his dominion a man will live so that he could have a thousand male sons born to him without a female. The earth will show its treasures so that the people will see them on its surface.” (Al-Irshad, Al-Shaikh Al-Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 519) Moreover, Islamic scriptures envision a world where all creatures coexist peacefully and natural animosities are reconciled, like in the following narration: "I have absolutely decided to purify the earth…. At that time the quadrupeds shall be among the humans and they shall not harm each other. I shall take away the sting of every stinging creature and make their venom ineffective. And I will send the blessings from the heavens and the earth will become green with its vegetation and all types of fruits will grow and put forth different kinds of perfumes and I will put mercy and love among the people." (Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Allamah Al-Majlisi, Vol. 51, p. 278) This utopian vision reflects the culmination of divine will, where humanity lives in harmony with nature and each other. Hinduism: The Kalki Avatar In Hinduism, the future arrival of Kalki, the tenth and final avatar of Vishnu, is anticipated. Kalki is expected to end the current age of darkness and corruption (Kali Yuga), ushering in a new era of righteousness and virtue (Satya Yuga). The Puranas detail how Kalki will vanquish evil and restore dharma, the cosmic order, “When the practices taught by the Vedas and the institutes of law shall nearly have ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of his own spiritual nature in the character of Brahma, and who is the beginning and the end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth: ... By his irresistible might he will destroy all the Mlechchhas and thieves, and all whose minds are devoted to iniquity. He will then reestablish righteousness upon earth; and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as pellucid as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to a race who shall follow the laws of the Krita age, or age of purity.”  (The Vishnu Purana, Book 4, Chapter 24) The Maitreya in Buddhist Texts Buddhist scriptures, particularly the Digha Nikaya 26, reference the future Buddha, Metteyya (Sanskrit: Maitreya, meaning "one full of love"). According to the texts, Metteyya will emerge as a fully awakened Buddha, possessing profound knowledge and conduct, and serving as a supreme guide for those seeking spiritual training. “Homage to the Superior Maitreya! Out of pity for [all] the worlds, the very wise Śāriputra, universal commander of the doctrine, asked the teacher this: 'Within the earlier and later discourses, you have taught about Maitreya, the future Buddha who will serve as leader of the world. O best of men, please explain in detail everything about him, including his powers as well as his supernormal abilities. We indeed wish to hear about this leader.' Upon hearing that, the Fortunate One said, 'Listen as I explain to you the accomplishments of that excellent man, the Buddha Maitreya. In his day, the oceans will dry up, receding 100 yojanas along the shore, and that will become the highway of a world-ruling king (cakravartin). Jambudvīpa in those days will be a plain 10,000 yojanas square and will be an abode for all beings. Also at that time, the people of that country will indeed flourish, and their wealth will be without end. They will cause no harm and be virtuous. The earth will be free from thorns and level, with verdant plains. Rising and falling according to one’s needs, the ground will be soft like cotton. Sweet and fragrant rice will grow that requires no cultivation. Trees will grow that produce beautiful cloth of various colors. And the trees will be a league wide, loaded with leaves, flowers, and fruit, and in those days their lifespan will be 80,000 years. The beings there will be faultless, sinless, joyful, and full of life. They will be tall in stature with a beautiful complexion and have great strength. There will be [only] three discomforts: the need to relieve oneself, hunger, and old age. Girls will be married when they reach 500 years of age. At that time, the royal capital will be called Ketumati, and it will be a place where beings who act virtuously toward all creatures live. It will indeed be 12 yojanas long and 7 yojanas wide. It will be a pure and pleasant city, created through virtue.'” (The Prophecy of the Superior Maitreya, Verses 1-12)