The Loss of Amir al-Mu’minin According to the Belief of the Yamani Claimant Sect

Dar al-Hidaya :It may be shocking to learn that Ahmad al-Basri, who claims to be the divinely appointed messenger of Imam al-Mahdi (AJ), has explicitly described Amir al-Mu’minin, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS)—the gate of knowledge and the Commander of the Faithful—as “in loss” according to the Qur’an.

This outrageous claim not only contradicts the unanimous belief of the Shia but also reveals the ideological corruption behind Ahmad Basri’s interpretations.

📚 The Controversial Statement

In his book “Al-Mutashabihat,” Volume 3, Question 109, Ahmad al-Basri interprets Surah al-‘Asr:

“By Time, indeed mankind is in loss…” (Qur’an 103:1–2)
He then writes:
“Amir al-Mu’minin (AS) is the very person who is in loss.“

Such a statement clearly deviates from the core teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), who have always upheld the elevated spiritual status of Imam Ali (AS).

❓ Does This Interpretation Make Sense?

✋ Let’s Break It Down:

🔍 1. Who Is “In Loss” in Surah al-‘Asr?

Authentic hadiths from the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) explain that the “mankind” being described as “in loss” refers specifically to:

• Those who oppose the Ahl al-Bayt

• The enemies of Islam and the true path

➡️ Amir al-Mu’minin (AS) has been praised repeatedly in both Sunni and Shia texts as the embodiment of belief, truth, patience, and righteous action—the very opposite of being in loss.

❗ 2. Rebuttal to Basri Followers’ Excuse: “Loss is Relative”

Some of Ahmad Basri’s followers try to justify this claim by saying:

“The loss is relative, comparing Amir al-Mu’minin to the Prophet (PBUH).”

This argument fails for three major reasons:

🔸 First:

Calling someone a “loser” even relatively implies they have fallen short, or worse, neglected their duty.
➡️ This is a direct insult to Imam Ali (AS) and contradicts countless narrations affirming his absolute obedience and proximity to the Prophet (PBUH).

🔸 Second:

From a Qur’anic perspective, exemption (istithna’) has a technical structure:

• Category 1 (Mustathnā Minhu):

  “Indeed, mankind is in loss.”

• Category 2 (Mustathnā):

  “Except those who believe, do righteous deeds, enjoin truth, and enjoin patience.”

If you place Imam Ali (AS) in Category 1, you are excluding him from:

• Belief

• Righteous deeds

• Enjoining truth

• Enjoining patience

➡️ This is completely false and amounts to slander against the Wali of Allah.

🔸 Third:

Numerous hadiths from the Imams (AS) make it clear that:

The “mankind” in this verse refers to the enemies of the Ahl al-Bayt, not their closest supporters.

So how can Imam Ali (AS) be grouped with those who fought against him?

📣 The Real Question: Whom Should We Believe?

🔹 The Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) who upheld the honor of Amir al-Mu’minin (AS)?
🔹 Or Ahmad al-Basri, who:

• Twists Qur’anic verses

• Accuses the Commander of the Faithful of “loss”

• Claims false authority

• Dismantles the fundamentals of Shia theology?

⚠️ Final Thought: A Grave Accusation Cannot Be Justified

📌 To call Imam Ali (AS)—the gate to the city of knowledge, the first Imam, and the most righteous man after the Prophet (PBUH)—a loser, whether directly or “relatively,” is a blasphemous accusation.

💬 The Ahl al-Bayt (AS) are above loss, misguidance, or deficiency.
To misrepresent them is to attack the core of divine guidance itself.