Critique of the 26th Narration from “Forty Hadiths on the Mahdiyeen” – The White Sheet Contained Only the Names of the 12 Imams

Dar al-Hidayah | Nidham Al-Aqili, one of the official representatives of the alleged Yamani (Ahmed Al-Hasan), continues to cite narrations 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 26th narration.

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 26th Narration as Cited by Nidham Al-Aqili

The narration that Nidham Al-Aqili cites as his 26th proof is as follows:

Shaykh ‘Ali al-Yazdi al-Ha’iri in Ilzam al-Nasib said: From al-Sayyid al-Thiqah al-Jalil al-Faqih al-Sayyid Ni’mat Allah al-Jaza’iri in some of his writings, from Ibn ‘Abbas, in a lengthy hadith from Amir al-Mu’minin (AS):

“…As for His statement ‘the angels descend’ – when Allah sent Muhammad (PBUH), with him was a casket of white pearl having twelve doors. In it was a white parchment containing the names of the twelve. He presented it to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his Lord commanded him that the truth belongs to them and they are lights.

[The narrator] said: ‘Who are they, O Amir al-Mu’minin?’ He said: ‘I and my sons: al-Hasan, al-Husayn, ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn, Muhammad ibn ‘Ali, Ja’far ibn Muhammad, Musa ibn Ja’far, ‘Ali ibn Musa, Muhammad ibn ‘Ali, ‘Ali ibn Muhammad, al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali, and Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, the Master of the Time. And after them are our followers and Shi’a – those who affirm our wilayah and reject the wilayah of our enemies…'”

Source: Ilzam al-Nasib, Vol. 1, p. 106

Critical Analysis of the 26th Narration – Nine Refutations

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

This narration contains no reference whatsoever to the Mahdiyeen, nor to them being children of Imam Mahdi (AS), nor to any station of Imamate for them. The only names mentioned are the twelve Imams (AS) – ending with Imam Mahdi (AS) as the final Imam. After them, only “our followers and Shi’a” are mentioned – not a new set of Imams.

Refutation Two: Nidham Al-Aqili Falsely Claims Angels Descend on the Followers

Nidham Al-Aqili claims: “This narration indicates the continuation of the descent (of angels) on the Night of Qadr upon the followers and Shi’a of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) who affirm their wilayah.” However, there is absolutely no mention in this hadith of angels descending upon the twelve Imams (AS) or upon their followers. Nidham Al-Aqili is attempting to implant this idea into the reader’s mind through psychological suggestion.

Refutation Three: What the Narration Actually Means

What is understood from this narration is simply that: A casket was sent down to the Prophet (PBUH) containing a white parchment on which were written the names of the 12 Imams (AS), and after their names, the followers and Shi’a were mentioned. This is confirmed by the Hadith al-Mi’raj (the narration of the Ascension) in Al-Kafi, where the angels ask the Prophet (PBUH) about ‘Ali (AS), and the Prophet responds that on the white parchment at the Bayt al-Ma’mur are written the names of Muhammad, ‘Ali, al-Hasan, al-Husayn, the Imams, and their Shi’a until the Day of Judgment.

Thus, the narration speaks of the names of the Shi’a being recorded alongside the Imams – not of angels descending upon them.

Refutation Four: Textual Confusion and Unclear Source

There are several problems with this narration’s chain and source:

• Internal inconsistency: The first lines suggest the casket was with the Prophet (PBUH) at the time of his mission (bi’that), but later lines say it was “presented to him” – implying someone else brought it.
• Unidentified source: Al-Yazdi al-Ha’iri attributes this narration to al-Sayyid Ni’mat Allah al-Jaza’iri “in some of his writings” – without naming which book. After searching, this narration appears in Muhammad Khan al-Kirmani’s (a prominent Shaykhi leader, d. 1324 AH) book Al-Kitab al-Mubin (Vol. 1, p. 347), but even there the original source from al-Jaza’iri is not specified. Al-Kirmani cites “Kitab al-Dam’ah al-Sakibah ‘an al-Sayyid al-Jaza’iri fi ba’di mu’allafatihi” – but this narration is not found in the well-known eight-volume Al-Dam’ah al-Sakibah by Muhammad Baqir al-Bihbahani (d. 1285 AH).

Even in al-Kirmani’s version, there is no indication of angels descending upon the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt – only that the names of the followers appear after the names of the 12 Imams.

Refutation Five: The Night of Qadr Belongs Exclusively to the 12 Imams (AS)

There is no doubt that special blessings from Allah (SWT) on the Night of Qadr include the Shi’a of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). However, according to narrations, the descent of angels on the Night of Qadr is exclusively for the 12 Imams (AS), and they are the guardians of the Night of Qadr. Consider the following authentic narration:

Amir al-Mu’minin (AS) said to ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas: “Indeed, the Night of Qadr occurs every year, and the decree of the year descends on that night. For that decree, there are guardians after the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).” Ibn ‘Abbas said: “Who are they?” He said: “I and eleven from my loins – Imams who are recipients of divine communication (muhaddathun).”

Source: Kifayat al-Athar fi al-Nass ‘ala al-A’immah al-Ithna ‘Ashar, p. 221

Refutation Six: Ahmed Al-Hasan Himself Admits the Night of Qadr Belongs to the 12 Imams

Interestingly, in his book Al-‘Ijl (The Calf), Ahmed Al-Hasan cites two narrations and admits that the Night of Qadr is related to the 12 Imams (AS) – with no mention whatsoever of the Mahdiyeen. This admission from their own leader refutes Nidham Al-Aqili’s attempt to connect this narration to the Mahdiyeen.

Refutation Seven: False Analogy with Abu Basir’s Narration

Nidham Al-Aqili continues by claiming that this narration supports the idea of rule continuing after Imam Mahdi (AS) through the Mahdiyeen, and he cites the famous narration of Abu Basir in which Imam al-Sadiq (AS) reportedly said: “After the Qa’im, there are twelve Mahdi’s.” He then claims that the description of the followers in the 26th narration matches the description of the Mahdiyeen.

Response: Not every similarity indicates identity. As will be demonstrated in the critique of the 4th hadith (where the Abu Basir narration is fully examined), the narration explicitly denies the station of Imamate from those twelve Mahdi’s, stating they are simply “a people from our Shi’a who call people to love us and to know our right.” This directly refutes the alleged Yamani sect’s claim that the Mahdiyeen hold the station of Wasayah and Imamate. Furthermore, there is no connection between the 26th narration and the Abu Basir narration.

Refutation Eight: The Continuation of Rule After Imam Mahdi (AS) is Through Raj’ah, Not New Imams

Nidham Al-Aqili argues: “The just divine rule continues for a long period after Imam Mahdi (AS). During this period, upon whom would the angels descend on the Night of Qadr if not upon the children of Imam Mahdi (AS)?”

Response:

1. As established in Refutation Two, the 26th narration does not mention angels descending upon anyone – neither upon the Imams nor upon their followers.
2. The continuation of just divine rule after Imam Mahdi (AS) is through the Raj’ah (return) of the Imams (AS) themselves – as proven by numerous narrations and as detailed in the critique of the 25th hadith. The angels would descend upon the returning Imams (AS).
3. The alleged Yamani sect has a deviant doctrine of Raj’ah, claiming it occurs “in the first heaven” and only “after the twelfth Mahdi” – doctrines with absolutely no basis in authentic narrations.
4. Nidham Al-Aqili falsely claims that the progeny of Imam Mahdi (AS) have been described in narrations as “Imams” and “Qawwam”. As proven in previous critiques (11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 19th hadiths), there is no text supporting such claims.

Refutation Nine: The Narration Explicitly States That the Qa’im is the Last Successor – Refuting Ahmed Al-Hasan’s Core Claim

In a different section of the same lengthy narration (cited by Nidham Al-Aqili himself in his book), Allah (SWT) addresses Prophet Adam (AS) and lists the prophets and successors. The critical statement is:

“…And as for the successors: the first of them is your son Sheeth, the second is Sam ibn Nuh, the third is Isma’il ibn Ibrahim, the fourth is Yusha’ ibn Nun, the fifth is Sham’un al-Safa, the sixth is ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS)… and the last of them is the Qa’im from the children of Muhammad – the one through whom I will make My religion prevail over all religions, even if the polytheists dislike it.“

Source: Ilzam al-Nasib, Vol. 1, p. 105 (as cited in Nidham Al-Aqili’s own book)

This text explicitly states that the Qa’im (Imam Mahdi, AS) is the LAST successor (akhiruhum). According to the alleged Yamani sect, however, the last successor is not Imam Mahdi (AS) but rather the twelfth Mahdi (the last of the Mahdiyeen). This directly contradicts the explicit text of the very narration Nidham Al-Aqili is using as evidence.

If someone were to argue: “The ‘Qa’im’ mentioned here is not Imam Mahdi (AS) but rather the first Mahdi (Ahmed Al-Hasan)” – we respond:

1. According to the alleged Yamani sect’s own belief, the last successor is the twelfth Mahdi – not the first Mahdi or the Yamani.
2. There is no text anywhere referring to Ahmed Al-Hasan as “al-Qa’im” – this title is reserved exclusively for Imam Mahdi (AS) in authentic narrations.
3. The narration mentions only the names of the 12 Imams (AS) on the white sheet – not the Mahdiyeen or the Yamani.
4. Authentic mutawatir narrations explicitly state that the 12th Imam is al-Qa’im. For example: Imam al-Baqir (AS) said: “After al-Husayn (AS), there are nine Imams – the ninth of them is their Qa’im.” (Al-Kafi, Vol. 1, p. 533). And the Prophet (PBUH) said to Imam al-Husayn (AS): “…you are the father of nine proofs from your loins – the ninth of them is their Qa’im.” (Al-Khisal, Vol. 2, p. 475)
5. The description “through whom I will make My religion prevail over all religions” refers to Qur’an 9:33. Authentic narrations confirm that this verse refers to Imam Mahdi (AS) – not the Yamani. For instance, Imam al-Husayn (AS) said: “From us are twelve Mahdi’s – the first of them is Amir al-Mu’minin ‘Ali (AS) and the last of them is the ninth from my children – he is the Qa’im with truth, through whom Allah will bring life to the earth after its death and through whom He will make the religion of truth prevail over all religions, even if the polytheists dislike it.” (Kifayat al-Athar, p. 231). Another narration from Imam al-Baqir (AS) explicitly connects the verse to the Qa’im and mentions the emergence of the Yamani from Yemen as a sign – proving that the Yamani is distinct from the Qa’im. (Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni’mah, Vol. 1, p. 330)

Conclusion on the 26th Narration

The names of 12 Imams on white sheet hadith has been thoroughly examined. This analysis conclusively demonstrates:

1. The narration mentions only the 12 Imams (AS) – ending with Imam Mahdi (AS) as the final Imam – and their followers, not the Mahdiyeen.
2. There is no mention of angels descending upon the followers – Nidham Al-Aqili fabricated this claim.
3. The textual source is problematic, with inconsistencies and an unclear chain.
4. Authentic narrations confirm that the Night of Qadr and the descent of angels belong exclusively to the 12 Imams (AS).
5. Ahmed Al-Hasan himself admits that the Night of Qadr relates to the 12 Imams – contradicting his follower’s argument.
6. The continuation of rule after Imam Mahdi (AS) is through Raj’ah – not through new Imams called Mahdiyeen.
7. The narration explicitly states that the Qa’im (Imam Mahdi, AS) is the last successor – refuting the alleged Yamani sect’s belief in successors after him.

Thus, the 26th narration provides absolutely no support for the existence of Mahdiyeen as Imams after Imam Mahdi (AS). Instead, it affirms the authentic Twelver Shi’a doctrine of twelve Imams ending with Imam Mahdi (AS) as the final successor.