Dar al-Hedayah | Nazem al-Oqaili, who is one of the senior figures and among the most important scholarly personalities of the deviant movement of false claimants, has made a claim based on the belief that the prohibition against rising before the rise of Imam al-Zaman (aj) does not include the Yamani. He argues that it is necessary for the Yamani to emerge a few years earlier than the Sufyani for preparation and to carry out the call (da’wah). This article critiques and examines this claim.

 The Claim Regarding the Yamani’s Emergence

Nazem al-Oqaili narrates the narration of ‘Is bin al-Qasim, in which the Shi’a are forbidden from rising before the rise of al-Qa’im (as). After that, he says:

“Therefore, the Yamani will not be included in those narrations and can, rather must, exist a few years before the emergence of the Sufyani. This is because he is the possessor of the call (Sahib al-Da’wah), and it has previously passed that this call requires a long period to prove its belief and eliminate the existing deviant religion. During that call, he must gather his companions and prepare them in such a way that they deserve to be the soldiers of the divine just government.”

Dirasah fi Shakhsiyyat al-Yamani al-Maw’ud, Vol. 3, P. 46

 Response to the Claim

The Sahihah (authentic narration) of ‘Is bin al-Qasim clearly indicates that the Shi’a are forbidden from supporting those who call them to rise and revolt against the oppressive rulers, even if the apparent nature of such a call and revolt is right. This narration states:

Ali bin Ibrahim from his father from Safwan bin Yahya from ‘Is bin al-Qasim. He said: I heard Abu Abdullah (as) saying: “…If someone from us comes to you, look at what you are rising for… Except with the one with whom the children of Fatimah have united. For, by Allah, your companion is none other than the one they have united upon. When Rajab comes, turn to the name of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, and if you wish to delay it until Sha’ban, there is no harm. And if you wish to fast among your families, perhaps that will be stronger for you. And the Sufyani is sufficient for you as a sign.“

Al-Kafi, Vol. 8, P. 264

We clearly understand that the Shi’a should only rise with Imam al-Zaman (as) and are forbidden from rising with others. Therefore, if the Shi’a were commanded to rise with the Yamani, Imam al-Sadiq (as) would certainly have stated it.