their absence. As the saying goes:

“Sixty years under an unjust ruler are better than a single night without a ruler.”

It is related that Ali—may Allah be pleased with him—(1) said:

“People must have a government, whether righteous or wicked.”

He was asked, “We understand righteous government, but what of wicked government?”

He replied, “Through it, the roads are kept safe, the prescribed penalties are enforced, the enemy is fought, and public revenues are distributed.” Ali ibn Ma‘bad cited this in his book Obedience and Disobedience (2).

Every ruler who came to power was better than the nonexistent awaited figure whom the Rafidah claim to be the Successor and the Proof. His imamate has brought about no benefit whatsoever, either in worldly or religious matters. Nothing has resulted from his imamate except corrupt beliefs, false hopes, [dissension within the Muslim community] (3), and waiting for someone who never comes. Thus, entire lifetimes pass without any benefit whatsoever being realized from this imamate.

People cannot endure even a few days without authorities in charge; rather, their affairs would fall into disorder (4). How, then, can their affairs prosper if their only imam is one who knows nothing, does not know what he is saying, and is incapable of carrying out any function of the imamate—indeed, one who does not exist?