✦ Reflection: When the Voice of Guidance Is Drowned Out

"When Scholars Become the Trial — and Silence Holds the Truth"

There is a silence that speaks louder than any noise — the silence of missing truth in places where it should have reigned.

Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (ʿa) warned us that a time would come when the Qur’an would remain only in name — and the scholars who were once meant to be its carriers would become its biggest obstacle.

“The scholars (fuqahā’) will be the worst among people — through them tribulation will spread.”
(Al-Kāfī, al-Ṣadūq, al-Hassanain collections)

Today, we are in that time. The voices are louder than ever — and yet, guidance is harder to find.

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🕳 When Form Replaces Essence

We were told:

• Mosques will be full — but guidance will be absent.

• Religious leaders will recite beautifully — but live hypocritically.

• Scholars will lead — but not toward Allah.

Imam al-Ṣādiq (ʿa) described them clearly:

“They follow the errors and corrupt learning of scholars… They do not enjoin good or forbid evil unless they are safe from harm. They will look for ease and excuses for themselves.”

It is not the ritual that is missing — it is the truth.

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🕯 The Imam Will Not Recognize Their Authority

When the Qa’im (ajtf) reappears, he will not validate the status quo. In fact, he will become the greatest challenge to it.

“When the Qa’im rises, people will interpret the Book with excuses, they will argue with him despite knowing the truth.”
(Imam al-Ṣādiq, a)

The presence of the Imam will shake the foundations of false legitimacy — built on titles, not Taqwa.

And those who once appeared silent may suddenly become mirrors of divine truth — because sincerity was always hidden from the public stage.

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🧠 We Must Ask Ourselves

If I were a scholar:

• Would I reflect on these hadiths before I speak?

• Would I invite my students to point out my blind spots?

• Would I ask: “Do I match the warnings given to us?”

If I were a student:

• Would I follow those who seek power?

• Would I recognize those who quietly carry light?

Because in the End Times, the greatest test will not be disbelievers.
It will be religious figures who hide behind faith while working against it.

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🌌 Truth Moves Silently

The Imam (ajtf) will not arrive on the tongues of those who perform religion for praise.
He will arrive in the silence of those who never stopped believing — even when the world forgot.

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📚 Footnotes & Sources

1. End Times Scholars: Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (a) on corrupt scholars and the empty form of Qur’an and Islam.
    (Al-Kāfī, Al-Ṣadūq, Alhassanain.org)

2. Before the Rise: Signs before the reappearance — ignorance, ritual without meaning, and oppression of truth.
    (Referenced in Shi’a hadith compilations on Akhir al-Zamān)

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