Critique of the 19th Hadith from “Forty Hadiths on the Mahdiyeen” – The Word “Qawwam” Does Not Prove Imamate

Dar al-Hidayah | Nidham Al-Aqili, one of the official representatives of the alleged Yamani (Ahmed Al-Hasan), continues to cite hadiths from his book “Forty Hadiths on the Mahdiyeen and the Children of the Qa’im (AS)” to prove his group’s belief in 12 Imams from the children of Imam Mahdi (AS), known as the Mahdiyeen. This article examines the 19th hadith.

Nidham Al-Aqili’s core claims are:

• Imamate is not limited to twelve Imams.
• The Mahdiyeen, after Imam Mahdi (AS), hold the station of Wasayah (successorship) and Imamate.
• The Mahdiyeen are the Itrat (progeny) and children of Imam Mahdi (AS).

The 19th Hadith on the Mahdiyeen

Another hadith that Nidham Al-Aqili cites as his 19th proof is presented as follows:

From Abu Bakr al-Hadrami, from Abu ‘Abdillah (AS) or from Abu Ja’far (AS), who said: I said to him: “Which part of the earth is most virtuous after the sanctity of Allah (SWT) and the sanctity of His Messenger (PBUH)?” He said: “Kufa, O Abu Bakr. It is the pure and purifying land. In it are the graves of the sent prophets, the graves of the non-sent ones, and the truthful successors (Awsiya’). In it is the Mosque of Suhayl, in which Allah has not sent any prophet except that he prayed therein. From it—meaning Kufa—the justice of Allah will emerge. In it will be his Qa’im and the Qawwam after him. And it is the abode of the prophets, successors, and the righteous.”

Source: Kamil al-Ziyarat, p. 30

Critical Analysis of the 19th Hadith

First Point: No Mention of Mahdiyeen as Children of Imam Mahdi (AS)

This hadith contains no reference whatsoever to the Mahdiyeen being the children of Imam Mahdi (AS) or holding the station of Imamate. Therefore, Nidham Al-Aqili’s claim based on this hadith is baseless and exaggerated.

Second Point: “Qawwam” Does Not Imply Imamate or Wasayah

The word “Qawwam” (plural of Qa’im) simply means “those who stand up” or “those who rise.” It does not inherently convey the meaning of Wasayah (successorship) or Imamate. Even if someone claims that “Qawwam” refers to the Mahdiyeen from the children of Imam Mahdi (AS), this hadith still cannot prove the station of Imamate or Wasayah for them.

Third Point: The Claim That “Qawwam” Is Exclusive to Imams Is False

If someone argues that the title “Qawwam” is exclusively used for successors and Imams, and therefore those who come after Imam Mahdi (AS) under this title must hold Imamate, we respond as follows:

First counter-argument: Even if we accept this claim (that “Qawwam” applies only to Imams and successors), then the “Qawwam” would refer to the twelve successors of the Prophet (PBUH) whose Raj’ah (return) is mentioned in numerous narrations—not to new Imams from the Mahdi’s children.

Second counter-argument: The claim itself is unsubstantiated. In fact, narrations show that the title “Qawwam” has been applied to non-Imams and non-successors as well. Consider the following evidence:

Evidence 1: The Believers as “Qawwam” of the Earth

From ‘Abd al-Malik ibn A’yan, who said: I stood up from near Abu Ja’far (AS) and leaned on my hands and wept. He said: “What is wrong with you?” I said: “I had hoped to witness this matter [the rising] while I am strong.” He said: “Are you not satisfied that your enemies will kill each other while you are safe in your homes? When that happens, each man among you will be given the strength of forty men, and your hearts will become like pieces of iron—if hurled at mountains, they would uproot them. And you will be the Qawwam of the earth and its treasurers.”

Source: Al-Kafi, Vol. 8, p. 294

Allamah Majlisi, in his commentary on the phrase “you will be the Qawwam of the earth”, states: “Meaning, those who manage the affairs of creation and are the rulers over them on earth.” (Mir’at al-‘Uqul, Vol. 26, p. 3)

Evidence 2: Representatives of the Imams Called “Qawwam”

From Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman, who said: “Abu Ibrahim (AS) [Imam Musa al-Kadhim] passed away, and there was none from among his Qawwam except that he had great wealth. That became the reason for their hesitation and denial of his death, out of greed for the wealth…”

Source: Al-Ghaybah (by Shaykh al-Tusi), p. 64

Shaykh al-Tusi named some of the representatives and envoys approved by the Imams (AS) and said: “Among them is Mu’alla ibn Khunays, and he was from the Qawwam of Abu ‘Abdillah (AS)…”

Source: Al-Ghaybah (by Shaykh al-Tusi), p. 347

Based on the above narrations, it is clear that the word “Qawwam” is not exclusive to Imams and infallibles; it is also applied to their representatives, agents, and even ordinary believers.

Fourth Point: Possible Meanings of “Al-Qawwam min Ba’dihi”

Given the above, several meanings are possible for the phrase “and the Qawwam after him” from the hadith:

Meaning 1: The Twelve Imams Returning in Raj’ah

In various narrations and Ziyarat (visitation prayers), the title “Qawwam” has been applied to the Twelve Imams (AS). For example:

• Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said: “…So we are the Qawwam of Allah over His creation…” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 24, p. 118)
• In the Ziyarat of the Imams at Baqi’: “Peace be upon you, O Qawwam among creation…” (Al-Kafi, Vol. 4, p. 559)
• In another Ziyarat: “…And upon al-Hujjah, the Qawwam with justice…” (Al-Mazar al-Kabir, p. 510)

Thus, the “Qawwam after him” could refer to the twelve Imams (AS) who will return (Raj’ah) and continue the just divine government. There is no doubt regarding the Raj’ah of the Imams; the question is only whether the hadith refers to them or to others.

Meaning 2: Representatives, Commanders, and Government Officials

As established in the third point, the title “Qawwam” is applied to representatives, commanders, government officials, and agents of the Imams in narrations and supplications.

Meaning 3: A Combination of Both

It is also possible that “Qawwam” refers to a combination of both meanings: the returning Imams (AS) and their representatives, commanders, and officials who will assist in establishing the global divine government.

Conclusion on the 19th Hadith

The Qawwam in hadith Mahdiyeen refutation demonstrates conclusively that this narration from Kamil al-Ziyarat provides no evidence for Nidham Al-Aqili’s claims. The word “Qawwam” does not prove Imamate or Wasayah, is not exclusive to Imams, and can refer to returning Imams, representatives, or a combination of both. Nowhere does the hadith mention “Mahdiyeen as children of Imam Mahdi (AS)” or grant them any special station. Thus, the 19th hadith fails to support the alleged Yamani’s doctrine.