Is it established that al-Abqa', al-Ashhab, al-Sufyani, and al-Yamani will appear at the End of Times?
What has been reported about Al-Sufyani, Al-Abqa‘, Al-Ashab, and Al-Yamani is found in the book "Al-Fitan" by Nu'aym ibn Hammad. Most of these narrations are mawquf (attributed to a Companion) or maqtu‘ (attributed to a Successor or below) traditions, and their chains of transmission require study, with some exhibiting clear weakness. Al-Hakim mentioned an elevated (marfu‘) hadith about Al-Sufyani and authenticated it, while Al-Albani weakened it. Al-Albani also stated that Hudhayfa's hadith is "fabricated" and Ibn Mas'ud's hadith is "very weak." Nu'aym ibn Hammad narrated from Artat that when the Turks and Romans gather and a village in Damascus is swallowed by the earth, three banners will be raised: Al-Abqa‘, Al-Ashab, and Al-Sufyani. A man will be killed in Damascus, and two men from Banu Abi Sufyan will emerge. When Al-Abqa‘'s reinforcements arrive from Egypt, Al-Sufyani will appear and kill the Turks and Romans in Qarqisiya. It was narrated from Ali that when the people of the black banners differ, three banners will appear: Al-Ashab, Al-Abqa‘, and Al-Sufyani. Al-Sufyani will emerge from Sham (Syria) and Al-Abqa‘ from Egypt, and Al-Sufyani will overcome both of them. It was narrated from Abu Ja'far that upon the appearance of Al-Abqa‘, a great battle will occur, then Al-Sufyani will appear, fight them both, and overcome them. Then, Mansur Al-Yamani will come to him from Sana'a, and he and Al-Sufyani will meet, and intense fighting will ensue between them. It was narrated from Ammar ibn Yasir that two armies will fight in Qarqisiya, then the owner of the West will advance, kill, and take captives, then return to Al-Sufyani. The Yamani will follow and kill Qais in Jericho, and Al-Sufyani will seize what he has gathered. Reports have also been received from Ka'b al-Ahbar and Artat ibn al-Mundhir regarding Al-Yamani. Al-Saffarini mentioned in "Lawami' al-Anwar al-Bahiyyah" that among the signs of the Mahdi's emergence are the appearance of Al-Sufyani, Al-Abqa‘, Al-Ashab, and Al-A'raj al-Kindi.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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