Refuting the Claim That the Heavenly Call (Al-Saiha) Is a Spiritual Dream-like Event

Gabriel’s Heavenly Cry is a pivotal narration in Shia belief, describing the angel Gabriel’s proclamation that will be heard by all. Some false claimants argue it is purely spiritual and belongs to the realm of dreams. This article examines and refutes that claim with Qur’anic evidence and historical narrations.

Followers of the group claiming the “Yemeni” title, in their effort to deny the material (physical) nature of the Heavenly Cry, have tried to portray it as something purely spiritual (malakūtī) and to place it in the realm of dreams and visions. In this article, we will examine and refute this claim.

The Claim: The Heavenly Cry Is Spiritual

They argue:

• The Heavenly Call is the call of Gabriel (peace be upon him).
• Since Gabriel is an angel and lives in the spiritual realm (ʿālam al-malakūt), his call must also be in that realm.
• Therefore, it cannot occur in this physical world — unless it comes as a form of divine punishment.

Response to the Doubt

Spiritual realities can descend into the material world and, after descending, they take on a tangible form. Thus, contrary to the false claimants, the descent of angels — including Gabriel — does not necessarily mean punishment.

Qur’anic Evidence Against the Claim

First Verse – Surah al-Qadr, Ayah 4

“The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.”

The Qur’an explicitly states that angels descend every Night of Qadr. According to the followers of Ahmad al-Basri, would this mean punishment descends every year on that night? Clearly not.

Second Verse – Surah Fussilat, Ayah 30

“Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast — the angels descend upon them, [saying], ‘Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.’”

Here, the descent of angels is to bring reassurance to the believers — not punishment.

Third Verse – Surah al-Baqarah, Ayah 102 This verse recounts the story of the two angels, Harut and Marut, in Babylon: They were sent not for punishment, but as a divine test, warning people not to fall into disbelief. Their presence among people was a trial, not a torment.

Important Note

Regardless of the fact that this claim contradicts explicit Qur’anic verses, note the following:

• We do not claim that Gabriel must take on a physical body for his voice to be heard.
• This is a distortion used by the deviant group to mislead people.
• The Heavenly Cry is with Gabriel’s voice, but it does not require his physical manifestation.

Example: On the Day of Uhud, everyone heard Gabriel’s voice proclaiming:

“There is no youth like Ali, and no sword like Dhulfiqar.” Yet Gabriel was not seen in physical form.

As narrated in Sharh Nahj al-Balagha by Ibn Abi al-Hadid (vol. 14, p. 251):

“On the Day of Uhud, a voice was heard from the sky, but the caller (Gabriel) was not seen. He repeatedly called out: ‘There is no youth like Ali, and no sword like Dhulfiqar.’ When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) was asked about it, he said: ‘That was Gabriel.’”