The Twelve Successors of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his Progeny)

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Some of the controversial issues have divided the Muslims. These issues have been misused by the enemies of Islam to divide the Muslims and to weaken them. Therefore, in order to unite the Muslims and to defend the boundaries of Islam it is necessary to clear the misunderstandings regarding these differences. In sorting out these issues we have been ordered to confine ourselves within some limits. As the Almighty Allah says:

"And obey Allah and His Apostle and so not quarrel for then you will be weak in hearts and your power will depart ..."(Sura Anfal 8: 46)

It is a must for us today, and for all times to refer to Qur'an and Hadith in case of any difference of opinion. As the Almighty Allah says:

"... then if you quarrel about anything, refer it to Allah and the Apostle ..."(Sura Nisa 4: 59)

In this page we shall refer to the Hadith to guide us on the correct path in various controversial topics. We seek the help of the Almighty in this.

Now we study some of the Hadith about Twelve Successors.

The Messenger of Allah (s. a. w. s. ) Informed that the number of Imams after him are twelve, as the compilers of Sihah and Masanid have narrated it.

In Sahih of Muslim:

The Prophet ( PBUH HF)said:" The[ Islamic ]religion will continue until the Hour( day of resurrection ), having twelve Caliphs for you, all of them will be from Quraysh."

Sahih Muslim, (English version) Chapter ( titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh ),v 3, p 1010, Tradition# 4483

The Prophet ( PBUH HF )said:" The affairs of people will continue to be conducted( well )as long as they are governed by the twelve men, all of them from Quraysh."

Sahih Muslim,( English version )Chapter ( titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh ),v 3, p 1010, Tradition# 4478

Narrated Jabir ibn Samura: The Prophet ( PBUH HF)said:" This matter( life )will not end, until it is passed by twelve Caliphs." He then whispered a sentence. I asked my father what the Prophet said. He said, the Prophet added:" All of them will be from Quraysh."

Sahih Muslim,( English version )Chapter ( titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh ),v 3, p 1009, Tradition# 4477

The Prophet( PBUH HF )said:" Islam will continue to be triumphant until there have been twelve Caliphs, all of them from Quraysh."

Sahih Muslim,( English version )Chapter ( titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh ),v 3, p 1010, Tradition# 4479

The Prophet( PBUH HF )said:" Islam will continue to be triumphant until there have been twelve Caliphs, all of them from Quraysh."

Sahih Muslim,( English version )Chapter ( titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh ),v 3, p 1010, Tradition# 4480

 In Sunan of al-Tirmidhi:

The Prophet( PBUH HF )said:" There will be after me twelve Amir( Prince/ Ruler ), all of them from Quraysh."

Sunan al-Tirmidhi( Arabic )Chapter of Fitan, 2: 45( India )and 4: 501 Tradition# 2225( Egypt )

 In Sunan of Abu Dawud:

"This religion remains standing until there are twelve vicegerents over you, all of them agreeable to the nation, all of them from Quraysh."

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Sunan Abu Dawud( Arabic ) 2: 421, Kitab al-Mahdi.

 The traditions assert that the number of authorities are twelve and all of them are from Quraysh, and, Imam Ali( peace be upon him )clarified it in his speech that they shall be from the Quraysh when he said:" Surely Imams will be from the Quraysh, they have been planted in this line through Hashim. It would not suit others nor would others be suitable as heads of affairs."[ Imam 'Ali b. Abi Talib[ a ], Nahjul Balagha, Sermon no. 142.]

And he said:" O Allah! Yes, but the earth is never devoid of those who maintain Allah's plea either openly and reputedly or, being afraid, and hidden in order that Allah's pleas and proofs should not be rebutted."

[ Shaykh Sulayman Qanduzi al-Hanafi, Yanabi' al-Mawaddah, p. 523. ]

By reading these Narrations from authentic books we can understand that the idea of Twelve Imams are right and now we must study in the next level that who are these Imams?...

Source: The Twelve Successors of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his Progeny)

 By: Sayyid Murtada al-'Askari