Najafi Q&A: Sects and Doctrines

In the past few years, a person who is called Ahmed Ismael Al-Swealmy appeared in Basra. He claims turbulent claims: He is the fifth descendent of Imam Mahdi (AJ), he is Imam Mahdi’s (AJ) entrusted messenger, he is the Yamani and his approach to religion is the most guiding one, the people must follow him, he is Qa’im Al Muhammad (the reviver of religion) and he is the one who will spread justice on the earth after oppression and tyranny have prevailed on the earth. He has also many other claims. His followers emerged in some Iraqi provinces and some Islamic and European countries, but they are few individuals. He proves his claims as follows: - The narration of the “will” which is mentioned in the book of Al-Ghaiba (The disappearance) by Al-Shaikh Al-Tusi. - He asks people to take Istikhara to induce them to follow him. If it is good, then he uses this as a proof that his claims are true. - He uses dreams as proofs saying that they are revelations. Anyone who sees him in dreams will be a proof used by Yamani to be followed. - He also uses the science of letters and numbers as a proof that he is the messenger as indicated in Al-Dakhan Chapter which is mathematically calculated. - He refutes the letter of Al-Samri (may Allah be pleased with him) saying that it is not authentic and refuses the continuation of the Imam’s (AJ) representation. What is your opinion regarding the following: First: Does the narration of the “will”, in its authentication and indication, suffice to prove his claim of being infallible and Imam, and he descends from the Imam (AJ)? Does Imam Mahdi (AJ) have offspring whom we should follow before his appearance? If it is proved that he (AJ) has offspring, do they have power over us that we should follow? Second: What kind of evidence does Istikhara present in jurisprudence branches and principles of theology? Third: What kind of evidence do dreams present in religious and theological issues? It is concluded from some narrations that dreams are true like (whoever sees me in dreams has seen me) and these dreams are part of the prophethood. Fourth: Is the science of letters and numbers a proof? Does it give authentic and mathematic results which do not change? And is it possible to know this science and how it works? Fifth: What is the possibility that the letter of Al-Samri (may Allah be pleased with him) is true? The letter is the one which states “whoever claims seeing the Imam before the appearance of Al-Sufiany and the Cry is a liar”. Is that letter dependable for rejecting the representation of the Imam (AJ) in the time of the major disappearance?