Objection: The Narrations State That the Heavenly Call Occurs in a Dream!

Dar al-Hidaya : Some claimants—particularly followers of Ahmed Ismail and the Yamani sect—have argued that the Heavenly Cry (Al-Saiha) is not a physical event, but rather occurs during sleep as a dream (ru’yā). They attempt to back this claim by referencing a narration they say proves the Ṣayḥah happens while people are asleep.

Let’s carefully examine this claim and the flawed reasoning behind it.

The Misinterpreted Claim About the Ṣayḥah

One of the narrations they cite is from Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (AS):

“When they hear the cry, they will remain motionless, as if birds were sitting on their heads.”
(Al-Ghaybah by Nuʿmānī, Vol. 1, p. 263)

The claimants argue that the phrase “aṣbaḥū” (they wake up or become)” in a related narration implies that the cry is heard in a dream state—i.e., people wake up from sleep upon hearing it.
(Fasl al-Khiṭāb fī Ḥujjiyyat Ruʾyā Awlī al-Albāb, p. 87)

Refuting the Dream-Based Interpretation

The argument collapses under linguistic and contextual scrutiny:

1. “Aṣbaḥū” Means a Change of State — Not Necessarily “Waking Up”

In Arabic, “aṣbaḥū” is not strictly used to mean “woke up.” It often means “to become” or “to turn into” something. A prime example:

“Through us, they became (aṣbaḥū) brothers after being misled by polytheism.”
(Al-Ghaybah by Nuʿmānī)

So the correct interpretation is:

“Upon hearing the Heavenly Cry, they will become as if birds were sitting on their heads” — meaning, they will be stunned, still, and overcome with awe or shock.

There is no reference to sleep or dreams here.

2. Even If “Aṣbaḥū” Meant “Morning,” It Still Doesn’t Indicate a Dream

Assuming for a moment that “aṣbaḥū” is interpreted as “in the morning,” it still doesn’t prove that the cry occurred in a dream:

• The Heavenly Cry is explicitly said to occur at dawn.

• It will awaken those who are asleep and stun those who are awake.

• The emotional state described (as if birds were sitting on their heads) is a metaphor for stillness caused by shock or awe, not sleep.

Therefore, the narration simply suggests that the morning will begin with this overwhelming experience—a physical and audible event.

3. There’s No Reference to Dreams in the Text

Even granting the benefit of the doubt, nowhere in the narration does it say the Heavenly Cry occurs in a dream. The Yamani sect is misreading or deliberately distorting the language to support a claim not present in the sources.

At best, the narration refers to the timing and emotional impact of the event—not its method of delivery (e.g., dream vs. external sound).

Conclusion: The Cry Is Real, Not Imagined

✅ The term “aṣbaḥū” is metaphorical and refers to a change of state, not sleep.
✅ Even if it refers to morning, it simply aligns with the timing of the Heavenly Cry (dawn), not a dream.
✅ The narration makes no mention of dreams or visions, confirming that this is an audible, external event.
✅ False claimants distort language to fit their agenda, but proper analysis confirms the authenticity of traditional Shia beliefs regarding Al-Saiha.