Critique of the 22nd Hadith from “Forty Hadiths on the Mahdiyeen” – “Ahl” and “Ayal” Do Not Prove Children

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 22nd 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 22nd Hadith as Cited by Nidham Al-Aqili

The hadith that Nidham Al-Aqili cites as his 22nd proof is presented as follows:

Al-Rawandi in Qisas al-Anbiya narrates with his chain from Abu Basir, from Abu ‘Abdillah (AS), who said to me: “O Abu Muhammad, it is as if I see the descent of the Qa’im in the Mosque of Sahlah, along with his Ahl (family) and his Ayal (dependents).” I said: “May I be your ransom, will it be his residence?” He said: “Yes. In it was the residence of Idris and the residence of Ibrahim, the Friend of the Most Merciful. Allah did not send any prophet except that he prayed in it, and in it is a dwelling place.”

Source: Qisas al-Anbiya, p. 84

The Complete Hadith from Al-Mazar al-Kabir

It is remarkable that Nidham Al-Aqili references Qisas al-Anbiya but presents to his audience a hadith from Al-Mazar al-Kabir – and he cuts it off at an inappropriate place, without even using ellipses. Here is the complete narration:

From Abu Basir, from Abu ‘Abdillah (AS), that he said: “O Abu Muhammad, it is as if I see the descent of the Qa’im in the Mosque of Sahlah, along with his Ahl and his Ayal.” I said: “Will it be his residence?” He said: “Yes. It is the residence of Idris (AS). Allah did not send any prophet except that he prayed in it. Whoever resides in it is like one who resides in the tent of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). There is no believing man or woman except that their heart yearns for it. There is no day or night except that the angels take refuge in this mosque, worshipping Allah in it. O Abu Muhammad, if I were near you, I would not pray any prayer except in it. Then, when our Qa’im rises, Allah will take revenge for His Messenger and for all of us.”

Source: Al-Mazar al-Kabir, p. 510

Most importantly: The phrase “and in it is a dwelling place” as cited by Nidham Al-Aqili is incomplete. The full phrase is “and in it is the dwelling place of Khidr” (wa fihi maskan al-Khidr). Nidham Al-Aqili deliberately cut the hadith before mentioning Khidr (AS).

Critical Analysis of the 22nd Hadith – Seven Refutations

Refutation One: No Mention of Mahdiyeen or Children of Imam Mahdi (AS)

This hadith contains no reference whatsoever to the Mahdiyeen, nor to them being children of Imam Mahdi (AS), nor to any station of Imamate for them.

Refutation Two: Deliberate Cutting of the Hadith by Nidham Al-Aqili

Nidham Al-Aqili references Qisas al-Anbiya but presents a truncated version from Al-Mazar al-Kabir, cutting it at an inappropriate place without ellipses. He also omits the phrase mentioning the dwelling place of Khidr (AS) (“wa fihi maskan al-Khidr”). This is a deceptive practice.

Refutation Three: Khidr (AS) is Alive on Earth – Contradicting Ahmed Al-Hasan’s Belief

From this complete narration, we understand that Prophet Khidr (AS) lives on earth and has not been raised (like Prophet ‘Isa (AS) was raised to heaven). However, Ahmed Al-Hasan contradicts this narration by claiming that Khidr (AS) has been raised to heaven, just like ‘Isa (AS). In Al-Jawab al-Munir, Vol. 1, Question 15, he states: “Al-Khidr (AS) – he too has been raised… and ‘Isa (AS) likewise has been raised…” This may be the very reason Nidham Al-Aqili deliberately cut the hadith before mentioning “Khidr” – to hide this contradiction with their leader’s belief.

Refutation Four: The Words “Ahl” and “Ayal” Do Not Prove Children

Even if we accept that Imam Mahdi (AS) will have an Ahl and Ayal at the time of his descent in Masjid Sahlah, these words do not prove he has children. Let us examine the linguistic meanings:

• “Ayal” (عيال): The plural of ‘Ayyil (عَيِّل), meaning a poor person. It refers to those under a man’s care and maintenance, including servants, slaves, and even a childless man’s wife. (Taj al-‘Arus, Vol. 15, p. 534)
• “Ahl” (أهل): Ibn Faris states: Ahl al-rajul originally means those who share a single dwelling with him. (Mu’jam Maqayis al-Lughah) Al-Raghib al-Isfahani states: “Ahl al-rajul” originally means those who share a single residence with him. (Mufradat al-Raghib, p. 96) Al-Farahidi in Al-‘Ayn states: “Ahl al-rajul” means his wife and those most closely associated with him. (Kitab al-‘Ayn, Vol. 4, p. 89)

Thus, “Ahl” and “Ayal” can refer to servants, attendants, wives, and household staff – not exclusively children. Therefore, using this phrase as evidence that Imam Mahdi (AS) has children is an incomplete argument.

Refutation Five: Even If Accepted, It Does Not Prove Existence NOW

If we disregard the above linguistic points and accept that the phrase “bi-ahlihi wa ‘iyalihi” indicates that Imam Mahdi (AS) will have a wife and children at the time of his descent in Masjid Sahlah, this still does not prove that he has them currently. It is possible that the appearance is destined for 200 years from now, and the Imam may marry 30 years before his appearance, giving birth to Mahdiyeen. Even in that hypothetical scenario, it still does not prove the Imamate or successorship of those children.

Refutation Six: The Final Phrase Proves Imam Mahdi (AS) Himself Takes Revenge

Imam al-Sadiq (AS) concludes the complete hadith by saying: “Then, when our Qa’im rises, Allah will take revenge for His Messenger and for all of us.” Pay close attention to this phrase. According to numerous narrations, the one who will fill the earth with justice and take revenge from the enemies is the 12th Imam, Imam Mahdi (AS) himself. However, Ahmed Al-Hasan claims that he himself is the Mahdi and Qa’im who will fill the earth with justice and take revenge. (‘Aqa’id al-Islam, p. 83; Kitab al-Tawhid, p. 19 of their sources)

This final phrase alone is sufficient to refute Ahmed Al-Hasan’s claims. It appears that this is precisely why Nidham Al-Aqili cut the hadith and did not mention its conclusion.

Refutation Seven: Authentic Narrations Confirm Imam Mahdi (AS) as the Avenger

Consider the following authentic narrations about Imam Mahdi (AS):

When Ahmad ibn Ishaq al-Qummi asked Imam al-‘Askari (AS) about his successor, the Imam brought out a three-year-old child on his shoulder and said: “He is the namesake of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and shares his epithet – the one who will fill the earth with justice and equity just as it was filled with injustice and oppression…” Then the child spoke eloquently and said: “I am the Baqiyyatullah (remaining proof of Allah) on His earth and the avenger against His enemies.”

Source: Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni’mah, Vol. 2, p. 384

In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) listed his twelve successors one by one and said about Imam Mahdi (AS): “Then his son, al-Hujjah al-Qa’im, the seal of my successors and vicegerents, the avenger against my enemies, the one who will fill the earth with justice and equity just as it was filled with injustice and oppression…”

Source: Mukhtasar Ithbat al-Raj’ah, Hadith 1 (and similar in Ahadith 3, 4, and 7)

Conclusion on the 22nd Hadith

The Imam Mahdi family in Masjid Sahlah hadith provides absolutely no evidence for Nidham Al-Aqili’s claims. This analysis proves:

1. The hadith does not mention Mahdiyeen, children of Imam Mahdi (AS), or any Imamate for them.
2. Nidham Al-Aqili deliberately cut the hadith at an inappropriate place and omitted mention of Khidr (AS).
3. Ahmed Al-Hasan contradicts this hadith by claiming Khidr (AS) has been raised to heaven.
4. Linguistically, “Ahl” and “Ayal” refer to household members, servants, and dependents – not exclusively children.
5. Even if they indicated children, it would not prove they exist currently or that they hold Imamate.
6. The complete hadith explicitly states that Imam Mahdi (AS) himself will take revenge – contradicting Ahmed Al-Hasan’s claim to be that avenger.
7. Multiple authentic narrations confirm that Imam Mahdi (AS) is the 12th Imam who fills the earth with justice and takes revenge.

Thus, the 22nd hadith not only fails to support the alleged Yamani’s doctrine of twelve Mahdiyeen Imams after Imam Mahdi (AS) but actually refutes it and refutes Ahmed Al-Hasan’s claim to be the Mahdi.