Tajdeed

What is the correct religion and who do we follow?

During the period I was getting interested in religion, I was looking into different religions, schools of thought and scholars. Naturally, I even came across cults and those cult leaders who claimed to be spiritual guides, saviours or even Mahdis such as the False Mahdi of Basra called Ahmad al-Hasan.

During the search, one key thing that I was prioritising was justice, sincerity and altruism. I thought, how does this idea or person actually help benefit life and humanity in a non-materialistic way?

Does this way of life that claims Truth actually manifest the mercy and justice of God on Earth? Do those who claim to be true guides who need to be obeyed do anything to fight against Satanic tyranny?

Do those who claim to be saviours give from their lives and their wealth for the sake of God and justice, or do they enjoy life whilst commanding their blind followers to recklessly sacrifice for the benefit of the cult and the deified leader?

As Imam Zayd beautifully said, “The Ima̅m from among us who commands the leadership of the Muslims is he who bears arms and upholds the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His triumphant Prophet (P).

How can Muslims have a leader (Ima̅m) who is imposed on all the Muslims, who lives in bedroom comfort, withholding the argument for his legitimacy, with a closed-door policy, and with rampant injustice? We know nothing of this behavior!”

Reference – Tafsir Furat al-Kufi, p. 475.

The True Divine Religion and the Imam of guidance is the one who guides humanity, lives with the people, not stuck in a cave or a delusional bubble. The religion is the one that manifests God’s justice and will on Earth!

The Imam whose obedience is obligatory upon the people is the one who is foremost in asceticism, good deeds, in action, in selflessness and in sacrifice for the sake of God, the people and the Truth!

The Imam is the one who negates the false and selfish pleasures of the temporary world, he is the one who yearns for the pleasure of God in the Hereafter, the everlasting life. The Imam is the one who gives everything up for the sake of God, Divine Justice and Divine order!

I was at rest when I found the school of my nature and innate disposition, the school of Ahlulbayt, the path of the Fatimid Alid Imams, the way of Zayd b. Ali! Islam/Zaydiyya is the path of truth-seeking, altruism, honour, activism, justice and dynamism!

Abul Hasan