Brave Maldivian Spreads the Call of Truth Despite Fear of Persecution

Aishath Lum'aa Inaz, a native of the Maldives—a region deeply influenced by Indian, Sri Lankan, and Arabic cultures—has taken a bold stand in a society dominated by Sunni Islam. In a country where practicing any religion other than Sunni Islam is forbidden, and possession of religious texts such as the Bible is prohibited, Inaz has declared her belief in the teachings of Aba Al-Sadiq, affirming her faith in God and standing firm in the face of societal and legal restrictions.

“I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10

The Maldives enforces stringent religious laws, including restrictions against Shia Islam and other faiths. Declaring oneself a member of a different religion can lead to arrest and social ostracization, with citizenship itself tied to adherence to the state religion.

The Divine Just State got an exclusive interview with Aishath as part of its Ramadan Interview series.

What was your background faith?

I was raised as a Sunni Muslim, but I always harbored doubts about the core teachings of the faith. Despite these uncertainties, I didn’t allow myself to explore them because I feared that questioning might lead me to disbelief in God. The religious environment here enforces the notion that questioning is tantamount to a lack of faith, which discourages critical thinking.

For instance, we were taught to read Arabic solely for reciting the Qur’an, which is a mandatory subject along with Islamic studies. However, we were not taught Arabic as a language, leaving most of us able to read the text without understanding its meaning. Only recently have they begun teaching Arabic as a language in schools. This restrictive approach made me feel afraid to question or challenge the norms, even when things seemed unjust or misguided.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Prophet Mohammed said, “Let not fear of the people stop one of you from speaking the truth, if he knows it.” — Musnad Aḥmad 11869

Blind submission was ingrained in us as a mark of true belief. The greatest challenge for me was overcoming the fear and indoctrination that stifled my pursuit of truth.

Matthew 15:14: "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

How was the Islamic education system and your journey?

In our Islamic education, we were taught only what aligned with the prescribed narrative. Fundamental aspects of Islamic history were left out. For example, I had no knowledge of the Battle of Karbala or the sacrifice of Imam Hussain until I learned about the dawa of Aba Al-Sadiq.

I was introduced to the call through my cousin, Brother Lazzan. He began sharing insights about Shia Islam and the Arrival Series from 2008. I listened and watched, but fear initially prevented me from contemplating the material.

The Arrival Series, inspired by Aba Al-Sadiq, delves into revelations in world religions regarding the Antichrist, Imam Al-Mahdi, and the Second Coming of Christ. It resonated globally, drawing millions of viewers.

How was your path into the dawah of Aba Al-Sadiq?

My journey deepened during the era of The Goal of the Wise, when readings were conducted on Paltalk. It was through these sessions that I began to understand the dawah of truth. I experienced signs and dreams that confirmed the authenticity of the message.

For instance, I considered performing Istikhara to seek God’s guidance about the call. On my way home, I heard a Qur’anic verse:

"Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow."

This moment felt miraculous. It remains a source of reassurance whenever doubts creep in. I also had recurring dreams about Aba Al-Sadiq and Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan, in which I was actively involved in the dawah—this was even before I pledged allegiance.

I spent months researching, reading The Goal of the Wise, and watching The Mahdi Has Appeared YouTube series before formally pledging allegiance.

Joel 2:28: "God will pour out His Spirit on all people; your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions."

What was the pivotal moment in your path of truth?

What convinced me about the call was its logical coherence. The answers I received addressed all my long-standing doubts. The truth became apparent through the teachings, which portray God perfectly and judge individuals based solely on their faith and conviction—not their background.

Countless fulfilled prophecies also reinforced my belief, including the death of King Abdullah of Hijaz and the Holy Will of Prophet Mohammed, which mentions Aba Al-Sadiq as the strong rope of God’s protection in these times. The raising of the black banners of the East, inscribed with Allegiance is to God Alone, is yet another testament.

How are you spreading the call currently?

Given the risks, I’ve cautiously discussed the dawah with some family members and close acquaintances, though most responses have been met with skepticism and hostility.

I’m also translating the Mahdi’s Manifesto into our local language to make the message accessible to Maldivians. Once the translation is complete, we plan to distribute it alongside posters and banners across the islands. My brother Lazzan and I are also working on creating a social media page to expand outreach digitally.

How are the local scholars reacting to the call?

The religion is not widely known in the Maldives, but some scholars who have addressed it dismissively label us as deceivers (dajjals).

However, we know from the teachings of Prophet Mohammed that the real deceivers of this era are corrupt scholars who misguide people.

Abu Dharr reported: "I was with the Prophet one day, and he said, ‘There is something I fear for my community more than the Dajjal.’ I asked, ‘What is it, O Messenger of God?’ He replied, ‘Misguided and astray scholars.’"— Musnad Imam Ahmad

This opposition only strengthens our resolve. We’ve just begun sharing posters about the call this month, and we plan to expand these efforts across the islands, ensuring the message reaches everyone.

Isaiah 40:31: "They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."