The Claim of Ahmad al-Basri’s Followers About the Miraculous Nature of the Call

Does a Physical Sign Guarantee Universal Guidance?

Some followers of the false Yamani claimant argue that if the Heavenly Call is a physical miracle, then all people should be guided by it. They claim that such a miraculous event would leave no room for doubt or denial, and therefore, everyone would accept the truth. This objection, however, is based on a flawed understanding of divine guidance and human free will.

Misunderstanding the Nature of the Heavenly Call Miracle

The Heavenly Call Miracle is indeed a divine sign, but miracles do not override human choice. Throughout history, prophets have performed clear and undeniable miracles—yet many people still rejected them. For example:

• The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as his successor in front of thousands at Ghadir Khumm.
• Despite this public declaration, many later turned away and broke their allegiance.

This shows that miracles alone do not compel belief. People may witness a divine sign and still choose to follow their desires, social pressures, or satanic whispers.

What Do the Narrations Say?

A narration from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) explains this clearly. When asked how people could fight against the Mahdi despite witnessing miraculous signs like the Heavenly Call and the swallowing of an army in the desert, the Imam replied:

“Satan will not leave them alone. He will call out just as he did on the Day of Aqaba against the Prophet.”

This means that even in the face of the Heavenly Call Miracle, satanic deception and human stubbornness can still lead people astray.