Refinement and Trial

2. Muhammad Yahya and al-Hassan ibn Muhammad have narrated from al-Qasim ibn ’Isma‘il al-Anbari from al-Husayn ibn Ali from abu al-Mighra’ from abu Yah Ya‘fur who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام say as herein below, ‘Woe to the rebellious Arabs from the matter that is coming closer.’0” I then asked, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “How many people will be there with Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority)?” The Imam عليه السلام said, “just a very few persons.” I then said, “Those who speak of this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) are quite many in number.” The Imam عليه السلام said, “People must be refined, distinguished and sifted. In the sifting process a great deal is taken out.”