Twelve Successors of the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.)
by Sayyid Murtada
al-Askari
Introduction
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds. Benedictions be upon Muhammad
(S.A.W.) and his Purified Progeny. Peace be upon the righteous
Companions. 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 series we shall refer to the Qur'an and Hadith to guide us on
the correct path in various controversial topics. We seek the help of
the Almighty in this.Sayyid Mutada al- 'Askari
Narrations of the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.] Stipulating the Number of Imams
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) 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 Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) 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 (Arabic version) Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in
Saudi Arabia, v3, p1453, Tradition #10 Sahih Muslim, (English version)
Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and
the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh), v3, p1010, Tradition #4483
Hadith #3398 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) 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 (Arabic version) Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in
Saudi Arabia, v3, p1453, Tradition #6 Sahih Muslim, (English version)
Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and
the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh), v3, p1010, Tradition #4478
Hadith #3394 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
Narrated Jabir ibn Samura: The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) 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 (Arabic version) Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in
Saudi Arabia, v3, p1452, Tradition #5 Sahih Muslim, (English version)
Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and
the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh), v3, p1009, Tradition #4477
Hadith #3393 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Islam will continue to be triumphant
until there have been twelve Caliphs, all of them from Quraysh."
Sahih Muslim (Arabic version) Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in
Saudi Arabia, v3, p1453, Tradition #7 Sahih Muslim, (English version)
Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and
the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh), v3, p1010, Tradition #4479
Hadith #3395 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Islam will continue to be triumphant
until there have been twelve Caliphs, all of them from Quraysh."
Sahih Muslim (Arabic version) Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in
Saudi Arabia, v3, p1453, Tradition #8 Sahih Muslim, (English version)
Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and
the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh), v3, p1010, Tradition #4480
Hadith #3396 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Islam will continue to be triumphant
and protected until there have been twelve Caliphs, all of them from
Quraysh."
Sahih Muslim (Arabic version) Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in
Saudi Arabia, v3, p1453, Tradition #9 Sahih Muslim, (English version)
Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraysh and
the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraysh), v3, p1010, Tradition #4481
Hadith #3397 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
In Sunan of al-Tirmidhi:
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) 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) Hadith #2149 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
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."
Sunan Abu Dawud (Arabic) 2:421, Kitab al-Mahdi. Sunan Abu Dawud (Arabic)
3:106, Kitab al-Mahdi. Hadith #3731 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
"The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "Islam will continue to be triumphant
until there have been twelve Caliphs," So people said Takbir and made
noise, then he said a light word I didn't hear. I [Jabir bin Samura]
said to my father: What did he say? He said "All of them are from
Quraysh."
Sunan Abu Dawud (Arabic) 2:421, Kitab al-Mahdi. Sunan Abu Dawud (Arabic)
3:106, Kitab al-Mahdi. Hadith #3732 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
In Sahih of al-Bukhari:
Narrated Jabir ibn Samura: I heard the Prophet saying, "There will be
twelve commanders (Amir)." He then said a sentence which I did not hear.
My father said, the Prophet added, "All of them will be from Quraysh."
Sahih al-Bukhari (English) Hadith: 9.329, Kitabul Ahkam. Sahih al-Bukhari
(Arabic) 4:165, Kitabul Ahkam. Hadith #6682 (numbering of al-'Alamiyyah)
These traditions are also narrated in other sources
[1]. And in a tradition: Then the Prophet (S.A.W.) spoke a few words
which I could not understand. Then I asked my father: "What did the
Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) say?" He said: "All of them are from the
Quraysh."
[2] And in another tradition: "The enmity of their enemies will not harm
them."
[3] And in another tradition: "This nation will always remain straight
in its affairs, and triumphant against the enemies, till twelve Caliphs
will be among them; all of them from Quraysh. Then there will be discord
and confusion." [4] And in a tradition: "There will be twelve upright
Imams for this nation. Those who try to disgrace them will not succeed;
all of them shall be from the Quraysh." "The affair of the people will
continue as long as twelve men rule over them." And from Anas: "This
religion will remain till twelve Imams from Quraysh (will pass), then
when they expire the earth will swallow its inhabitants."
[5] And in a tradition: "The affair of this nation will always be
apparent till the twelve Imams will rise, all of them from the Quraysh."
[6] Ahmad and Al-Hakim and others have narrated similarly from Masrooq
who said: "We were sitting one evening with Abdullah (ibn Mas'ud). We
were reciting the Qur'an, then a man asked him: "O Abu Abdur-Rahman, did
you ask the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) how many Caliphs will rule this
nation?" Abdullah said: "No one asked me about this before you from the
time I arrived in Iraq." He said: "We asked him (the Prophet( S.A.W.),
he said: "Twelve, (like) the number of the Chiefs of Bani Israel."
[7] And in a tradition: Ibn Mas'ud said: "The Messenger of Allah
(S.A.W.) said: "There will be Caliphs after me, whose number is like
those of the companions of Musa."
[8] Ibn Kathir said: "And there is a similar narration from Abdullah bin
'Umar, Hudhayfah and Ibn 'Abbas.
[9] However, I have been unable to find this tradition of Ibn 'Abbas or
others as reported by Al Hakim Al Haskani. The traditions assert that
the number of authorities are twelve and all of them are from Quraysh,
and, Imam Ali (A.S.) 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."
[10] 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
Notes:
[1] Muslim b. al-Hajjaj, Sahih, 3:1453, Tradition No. 1821, Kitabul
Imarah. Al-Bukhari, Sahih, 4:165, Kitabul Ahkam. Al-Tirmidhi, Sunan,
Chapter of Fitan, 2:45 (India) and 4:501 Tradition # 2225 (Egypt) Abu
Dawud, Sunan, 3:106, Kitab al-Mahdi. Al-Tayalisi, Musnad, Tradition No.
767 and 1278. Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad, 5:86. Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanz
al-'Ummal 13:26-27. Abu Nu'aym al-Isbahani, Hilyat al-'awliya' , 4:333.
Jabir bin Samurah bin Junada was the nephew of Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas. He
died at Kufa. The compilers of traditions have narrated 146 traditions
from him. For his biography, refer to Usd al-Ghaba or Taqrib al-Tahdhib.
[2] Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath al-Bari 16:338. Al-Hakim al-Nisaburi,
Mustadrak al-Sahihayn 3:167.
[3] Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath al-Bari 16:338.
[4] Muntakhab Kanz al-'Ummal 5:321. Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh, 6:249. Al-Suyuti,
Tarikh al-Khulafa, Vol 10. Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanz al-'Ummal ,13:26.
Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqa Vol 28.
[5] Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanz al-'Ummal , 13:27
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ahmad b. Hanbal, Musnad, 1:398 and 406. Al-Hakim al-Nisaburi,
Mustadrak , 4:501 Al-Dhahabi, Talkhis , 4:501. Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani,
Fath al-Bari 16:339. Ali b. Abu Bakr al-Haythami, Majma' al-Zawa'id
5:190. Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqa, vol 12. Al-Suyuti,
Tarikh al-Khulafa, Vol 10. [Al-Suyuti or al-Tabarani], Jami' al-Saghir
1:75. Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanz al-'Ummal, 13:27.
[8] Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh, 6:248. Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Kanz al-'Ummal,
13:27. Al-Haskani , Shawahid al-Tanzil, 1:455, Tradition No. 626.
[9] Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh, 6:248.
[10] Imam 'Ali b. Abi Talib [a], Nahjul Balagha, Sermon no. 142.
[11] Shaykh Sulayman Qanduzi al-Hanafi, Yanabi' al-Mawaddah, p. 523.
The Twelve Imams in the Old Testament
Ibn Kathir says:
We see the following prophecy in the Taurat which is in the hands of the
Jews and the Christians: "Indeed Allah, the Exalted, has given Ibrahim
(A.S.) the glad tidings of Isma'il, and he has bestowed a favour and
multiplied it and placed in his progeny twelve mighty (personalities)."
And he says: Ibn Taymiyya said: "And these are the same, regarding whom
the Prophet (S.A.W.) has given the glad tidings in the tradition of
Jabir bin Samurah and stated their number; indeed this is with regard to
the Imams and the Hour will not come till they last. And many of those
who accepted Islam from among Jews think they are the same Imams of the
Rafidi sect."
[12] The afore-mentioned glad tiding is present in the section of
Genesis (17-18:20) of our era. It is also present in the original
Hebrew. The words (of the Lord) to Ibrahim (A.S.) translated from the
Hebrew are as follows:
"And as for Isma'il, I have blessed him, and I have made him fruitful.
And I have truly multiplied him, he will beget twelve leaders and I will
provide for him a large nation."
[13] This also indicates that the blessings, fruits and multiplication
is in the generation of Isma'il (A.S.). "Shanim Asaar" means "twelve";
and the word "Asaar" is used for a compound number when the counted
things are masculine. The singular "Naasi" means: Leader, chief, head,
etc.
[14] The Almighty Allah ordered Ibrahim (A.S.) to leave the city of
Namrood and go towards Syria. So he left the city with his wife Sarah,
and Lut (A.S.) and migrated according to the Divine Order. In due
course, they reached the land of Palestine. By the Grace of Almighty
Ibrahim (A.S.) was bestowed an excess of wealth. He said: "O my Lord
what can I make by this wealth, and I do not even have a son?" The
Almighty revealed to him, "I will increase your progeny till it reaches
the number of stars." Hajra was the slave girl of Sarah. Sarah betrothed
her to Ibrahim (A.S.). She bore for him a son, Isma'il (A.S.). The age
of Ibrahim (A.S.) was 86 years when Isma'il (A.S.) was born to Hajra.
[15] The Holy Qur'an mentions in the following words the prayer of
Ibrahim (A.S.).
"O Our Lord! Surely I have settled a part of my offspring in a valley
unproductive of fruit near Thy Sacred House, Our Lord! That they keep up
prayer; therefore make the hearts of some people yearn towards them and
provide them with fruits; haply they may be grateful." (Sura Ibrahim 14
: 37)
The holy verse points to the fact that Ibrahim (A.S.) had settled some
of his progeny, that is Isma'il (A.S.) in the area of Mecca and he also
prayed that the Almighty Allah may bestow them with His Mercy and that
they remain the medium of guidance for humanity till the end of time.
The Almighty accepted his invocation by appointing Muhammad (S.A.W.)
from his progeny, and after him his twelve successors as the leaders of
humanity for the time to come. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A.S.) says: "We
are the remnant of progeny. And that was the prayer of Ibrahim (A.S.)
regarding us."
Notes:
[12] Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh, 6:249 and 250.
[13] Genesis 17.
[14] Al Mu'jam al-Hadith.
[15] Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh , 1:24-25 (Printed at Qum).
Explanation of the Narrations
After having discussed the traditions regarding twelve successors, we
can derive the following points: The number of Imams for this Ummah
shall be twelve, in a continuous line. Secondly after the twelfth of
these Imams, the world shall reach its end. According to the first
tradition:
"The Islamic religion will continue until the Hour has been established,
or you have been ruled over the twelve Caliphs have passed among you."
This tradition has fixed the period of Islam's supremacy till the day of
Qiyamat and also fixed the number of Imams for this Ummah as twelve.
According to the fifth tradition:
"The Islamic religion will continue until there are twelve (Imams) from
the Quraysh. And when they all die the Earth will swallow its
inhabitants."
This tradition proves that Islam will continue till the end of this
world or till the reign of twelve Imams and after them this Earth shall
be destroyed. The eighth tradition limits the number of Imams to twelve:
"After me there shall be Caliphs equal in number to the companions of
Musa (A.S.)."
This tradition shows that there will be no more than twelve Caliphs
after the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). And the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) has
clarified that the number of Caliphs will be limited to twelve and after
these Twelve, the Qiyamat will surely occur and the Earth shall be
destroyed. Other traditions clarify the above statements.
On the basis of this, we have to admit that in order to supervise the
affairs of humanity, one of the Imams must have a long life which is an
unusual phenomena. Thus the twelfth Caliph and the successor of the Holy
Prophet (S.A.W.) that is, Imam Mahdi (A.S.) was bestowed with a long
life.
Bewildering Interpretations
The scholars of the school of Caliphate are at pains to explain the
traditions that mention the Twelve Successors. We present herewith, in
brief, their contradictory explanations. Ibn al-'Arabi says in his "Sharh
Sunan al-Tirmidhi":
We have counted the Amirs after the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) as twelve.
We found them as follows: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, Ali, Hasan,
Mu'awiyah, Yazid, Mu'awiyah ibn Yazid, Marwan, 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan,
Yazid bin 'Abd al-Malik, Marwan bin Muhammad bin Marwan, As-Saffah...
After this there were twenty-seven caliphs from the Bani Abbas. Now if
we consider twelve of them we can reach only till Sulayman. If we take
the literal meaning we have only five of them and to these we add the
four Righteous Caliphs, and 'Umar bin 'Abd al-'Aziz... I cannot
understand the meaning of this Hadith.
[16] Qadi 'Iyad, says in reply to the claim that there shall be only
twelve Caliphs; "The number of Caliphs are more than that. To limit
their number to twelve is incorrect. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) did not
say that there will be only twelve and there is no scope for more. Hence
it is possible that there can be more.
[17] Al-Suyuti says: There are only twelve Caliphs until Qiyamat. And
they will continue to act on truth, even if they are not continuous.
[18] It is mentioned in Fath al-Bari that: Four of them (the Righteous
Caliphs) have passed. The rest also must pass before Qiyamat.
[19] Ibn al-Jawzi says: "It can be concluded that the phrase "then there
will be discord" implies the disturbing events like the coming of Dajjal
and whatever will come after it."
[20] Al-Suyuti has explained as follows: We see that from the twelve,
four are the Righteous Caliphs, then Hasan, then Mu'awiyah, then Ibn
Zubayr, and finally 'Umar bin 'Abd al-'Aziz. They are eight. Four of
them remain. Maybe Mahdi, the Abbasid could be included as he is an
Abbasid like 'Umar bin 'Abd al-'Aziz was an Umayyad. And Tahir 'Abbasi
will also be included because he was a just ruler. Thus two more are yet
to come. One of them is Mahdi, because he is from the Ahlul Bayt (A.S.).
[21] It is also said: It could also mean that the twelve Imams will
remain during the period of Islam's supremacy. The time when Islam will
be a dominant religion. These Caliphs will, during their tenure, glorify
the religion. All the Muslims will collect round them in unison.
[22] Al-Bayhaqi says: "This number (twelve) is found till the period of
Walid ibn 'Abd al-Malik. After this, there was chaos and disturbance.
Then came the Abbasid dynasty. This report has increased the number of
Imams. If we neglect some of their characteristics which came after the
disturbance, then their number will be much higher."
[23] And they said: The Caliphs around whom the people had collected
were the first three Caliphs, then Ali, until the Battle of Siffin
against Mu'awiyah when pages of Qur'an were raised on spears. Then the
people collected around Mu'awiyah, and then again at the time of the
treaty with Imam Hasan. Then with Mu'awiyah's son Yazid. But the people
did not collect around Imam Husayn (a.s.). He was murdered before he
could gain this type of support. When Yazid died, they collected around
Marwan after the killing of Abdullah ibn Zubayr. Then they supported the
four sons of 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan; Walid, Sulayman, Yazid and Hisham.
There was a break between Sulayman and Yazid when 'Umar bin 'Abd al-'Aziz
occupied the throne. The twelfth of them was Walid ibn Yazid. After that
Hisham collected people around him. He ruled for four years.
[24] On the basis of this the Caliphate of the twelve Caliphs was valid
due to the people's support. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) had given the
good tidings of their Caliphate; that they will propagate Islam among
the people. In this connection Ibn Hajar says,
"The above reason is correct and it is more preferable."
Ibn Kathir says:
Whosoever follows Bayhaqi and agrees with his assertion that Jama'ah
means those Caliphs who came intermittently till the time of Walid ibn
Yazid ibn 'Abd al-Malik the transgressor comes under the purview of the
tradition quoted by us criticising and denouncing such people. It is a
controversial sect. The Caliphs are till Walid bin Yazid. Their total is
more than twelve. And their argument is that the Caliphate consisted of
Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman and Ali. (The Righteous Caliphate). After this
the Caliphate of Hasan was true because he had been nominated by Ali and
the people of Iraq had also pledged their allegiance to him. It
continued till the time of his treaty with Mu'awiyah. Then came Yazid
the son of Mu'awiyah. Then his son Mu'awiyah ibn Yazid, then Marwan bin
al-Hakam, then 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, then his son, Walid ibn 'Abd
al-Malik, then Sulayman ibn 'Abd al-Malik, then 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz,
then Yazid ibn 'Abd al-Malik, then Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Malik. This takes
the total to fifteen. Then after this, Walid ibn Yazid ibn 'Abd al-Malik
became the Caliph. And if we accept the Caliphate of ibn Zubayr before 'Abd
al-Malik the total shall be sixteen. Whereas their total should be
twelve before 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz. In this method Yazid ibn
Mu'awiyah will be included and not 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz. However, it
is established that the majority of the 'ulama accept 'Umar ibn 'Abd
al-'Aziz as a truthful and a just Caliph. There was complete peace and
justice during his reign. Even the Rafidi accept this fact. Suppose we
say that we will accept the Caliph as the one who has the acceptance of
all the Ummat, then we cannot accept Ali and his son. Because the whole
Ummat had not supported them. The Syrians had accepted their superiority
but not their Caliphate. In this way they cannot be accepted as Caliphs.
He (Bayhaqi) has also written that some people included Mu'awiyah, his
son and his grandson among the Caliphs. The time of Marwan and ibn
Zubayr is also not included. For none of them had the unanimous support.
Therefore we say about this sect that they believe in the first three
Caliphs, then Mu'awiyah, then Yazid, then 'Abd al-Malik, then Sulayman
ibn 'Abd al-Malik, then 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, then Yazid ibn 'Abd al-Malik,
then Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Malik. This comes to ten. Then they consider
Walid ibn Yazid ibn 'Abd al-Malik the transgressor as the Caliph. In
this way they exclude Ali and his son. Now this is absolutely against
the belief of the majority of Muslims , whether Shi'as or Sunnis.
[25] Ibn al-Jawzi has offered two explanations in his book, "Kashf al-Mushkil":
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has informed about whatever is going to occur
after him with his Companions. And that the actions of the Companions
will be similar to those of the Prophet's. At that time he had also
indicated the number of Caliphs of Bani Umayya.
As the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) has said, "La Yazaluddin" (the
religion will not decline), it indicates the chain of Wilayat till the
Twelfth Caliph. The Second and the more serious meaning is that after
the passing of the twelve Caliphs the conditions will deteriorate. The
first Caliph of Bani Umayya was Yazid ibn Mu'awiyah and the last, Marwan
Al-Himar. Their total is thirteen. 'Uthman, Mu'awiyah and ibn Zubayr are
not included as they were among the Companions of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.). If we exclude Marwan bin al-Hakam because of the controversy
about his being a Companion or that he was in power even though Abdullah
ibn Zubayr had the support of the people. Then we can get the figure of
Twelve. When the Caliphate came out of the Bani Umayya, a great
disturbance arose. Until the Bani Abbas established themselves. Hence,
the original conditions had changed completely.
[26] Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari has refuted this. The second explanation
of Ibn al-Jawzi is as follows: Abu al-Husayn bin Mauaadi in his book,
"Al-Mahdi" says, "The more probable meaning refers to the Mahdi who will
come towards the end of the world. I have seen in the book of Daniel,
"When Mahdi will die five men from his elder grandson, then five men
from his younger grandson will succeed him. Then the last of them will
make a will in favour of one of the descendants of the elder grandson.
After this his son will become the King. This proves the twelve Imams
mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet (S.A.W.). All of them will be
known as Imam Mahdi." He says, "...This affair will continue with the
twelve persons. Six of them will be from the progeny of Hasan and five
from the progeny of Husayn. The last will be someone else. After his
death, confusion will prevail upon the earth." Ibn Hajar says, "This
tradition is without any chain of narrators and hence we cannot rely
upon it. " [27] And some people say: Maybe the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) has
meant to say in this perplexing tradition regarding the future, that at
one and the same time the people will be divided under twelve kings. If
he had intended something else he would have described the activities of
the Amirs who were to succeed him. Therefore it is possible that they
will be present contemporaneously.
[28] It is also said: In 500 A.H. in Andalus, there were six people in
power at one and the same time. Each of them claimed to be the Caliph.
Included among them were the Abbasid of Baghdad and the ruler of Egypt.
The Alawis and the Kharijis also claimed to be the rulers of the earth.
[29] Ibn Hajar says: "No one has much knowledge about this particular
hadith of Sahih Bukhari."
[30] Then he says: "It is not correct to say that these Imams will be
present at one and the same time."
[31] There is no agreement in the explanation of the above tradition.
These scholars have not paid attention to those reports which mention
the names of the twelve successors. For it was against the political
expediency of the time. However, the Hadith scholars of the Ahlul Bayt
(A.S.) have recorded numerous such traditions with proper chains of
narrators going back to the trustworthy Companions of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.). We mention herewith a few of these traditions.
Notes:
[16] Ibn al-'Arabi, Sharh Sunan Tirmidhi 9:68-69.
[17] Al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim, 12:201-202. Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani,
Fath al-Bari 16:339.
[18] Al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa, Vol 12.
[19] Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath al-Bari 16:341.
[20] Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath al-Bari 16:341.
[21] Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqa Vol 19. Al-Suyuti,
Tarikh al-Khulafa, Vol 12. There is unanimity in the School of Caliphate
that the awaited Imam is Mahdi, as is the belief of the followers of the
School of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.).
[22] Al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim ,12:202-203.
[23] Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh, 6:249. Al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa Vol 11.
Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqa Vol 19. Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani,
Fath al-Bari 16:341.
[24] Al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa Vol 11.
[25] Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh, 6:249-250.
[26] Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath al-Bari 16:340 quoted from Sibt Ibn
al-Jawzi.
[27] Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath al-Bari 16:341. Ibn Hajar al-Haythami,
Al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqa.
[28] Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath al-Bari 16:338.
[29] Al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim, 12:202. Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath
al-Bari 16:339.
[30] Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath al-Bari 16:338.
[31] Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Fath al-Bari 16:339.
The Twelve Imams According to the School of the Caliphate
Al-Juwayni
[32] reports that Abdullah ibn Abbas remarked that the Messenger of
Allah (S.A.W.) said,
"I am the chief of the Prophets and Ali ibn Abi Talib(A.S.) is the chief
of successors, and after me my successors shall be twelve, the first of
them being Ali ibn Abi Talib and the last of them being Al Mahdi."
Al-Juwayni has also mentioned another tradition from Ibn 'Abbas that he
narrates from the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.):
"Certainly my Caliphs and my legatees and the Proofs of Allah upon his
creatures after me are twelve. The first of them is my brother and the
last of them is my (grand) son."
He was asked:
"O Messenger of Allah, who is your brother?
He said,
"Ali ibn Abi Talib"
Then they asked,
"And who is your son?"
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) replied,
"Al Mahdi, the one who will fill the earth with justice and equity like
it would be brimming with injustice and tyranny. And by the One Who has
raised me as a warner and a give of good tidings, even if a day remains
for the life of this world, the Almighty Allah will prolong this day to
an extent till he sends my son Mahdi, then he will make Ruhullah 'Isa
ibn Maryam (A.S.) to descend and pray behind him (Mahdi). And the earth
will be illuminated by his radiance. And his power will reach to the
east and the west."
Al-Juwayni also narrates from his chain of narrators that the Messenger
of Allah (S.A.W..) informed:
"I and Ali and Hasan and Husayn and nine of the descendants of Husayn
are the purified ones and the infallible."
[33] Among the scholars of the School of the Caliphate it was the
general tendency, due to the political expediency, to conceal such
traditions from the people. A majority of their scholars have tried
their best to explain away these traditions in a confusing manner. They
have endeavoured to make vague guesses regarding the names of the
Caliphs mentioned in these reports. On the other hand the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.) has mentioned clearly, by name, his Twelve Successors. It is
not possible to relate all such traditions in this brief treatise.
However we shall present the biographical sketches of the Imams (a.s.)
who have been named by the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.).
Notes:
[32] Al-Dhahabi says in Tadhkirat al-Huffaz, vol. 4, p. 298, that
Sadruddin Ibrahim bin Muhammad bin al-Hamawayh al-Juwayni al-Shafi'i was
a great scholar of Hadith. Also see his biographical note in Ibn Hajar
al-'Asqalani, al-Durar al-kaminah, vol. 1, p. 67.
[33] Al-Juwayni, Fara'id al-Simtayn, pg 160.
A Brief Account of the Twelve Successors of the Holy Prophet [S.A.W.]
The First Imam Amirul Momineen Ali (A.S.)
Father: Abu Talib bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim.
Mother: Fatimah bint Asad bin Hashim bin Abd Munaf.
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abul Hasan and Husayn, Abu Turab
Laqab (Title): Al-Wasi, Amir al-Mu'minin
Birth: He was born in the Ka'ba [34] , in thirty 'Am al-Fil (the year of
the elephant).
Martyrdom: He was martyred by the Khwariji named Abd al-Rahman ibn
Muljam at Kufa during the month of Ramadhan in the fortieth year of
Hijrah and is buried in Najaf on the outskirts of Kufa.
The Second Imam Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.)
Mother: Fatimah az-Zahra (a.s.), the daughter of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.). Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu Muhammad
Laqab (Title): Al-Sibt al-Kabir (the elder grandson), Al-Mujtaba.
Birth: He was born in Madina in the middle of the month of Ramadhan in 3
A.H.
Martyrdom: He died on the 28th of Safar in the year 50 A.H. He was
buried in the graveyard of Baqi in Madina.
The Third Imam Al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.)
Mother: Fatimah az-Zahra (a.s.), the daughter of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.). Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu 'Abdillah.
Laqab (Title): Al Sibt, Shahid-e-Karbala.
Birth: He was born in Madina in the month of Shaban in the year 4 A.H.
Martyrdom: He was martyred with his companions by the army of Yazid in
the month of Muharram 61 A.H. His tomb is in Karbala, a town of Iraq.
[35]
The Fourth Imam Ali ibn Al-Husayn (A.S.)
Mother: Ghazala, Shahzanaan
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu al-Hasan
Laqab (Title): Zayn al-'Abidin, Al Sajjad
Birth: He was born in 38 A.H. in Madina.
Martyrdom: He died of poison in the year 94 or 95 A.H. at Madina and is
buried at Baqi near his uncle Hasan (a.s.). [36]
The Fifth Imam Muhammad ibn Ali (A.S.)
Mother: Umm Abdullah, the daughter of Imam Hasan (A.S.).
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu Ja'far.
Laqab (Title): Al Baqir.
Birth: He was born at Madina in the year 57 A.H.
Martyrdom: He died of poisoning in Madina in 114 A.H. and is also buried
at Baqi near his father. [37]
The Sixth Imam Ja'far ibn Muhammad (A.S.)
Mother: Umm Farwa, the daughter of Qasim bin Muhammad bin Abu Bakr.
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu 'Abdillah.
Laqab (Title): Al-Sadiq.
Birth: He was born at Madina in 83 A.H.
Martyrdom: He died of poison in 148 A.H. and is buried at Baqi near his
father.[38]
The Seventh Imam Musa bin Ja'far (A.S.)
Mother: Hamidah
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu al-Hasan
Laqab (Title): Al-Kazim
Birth: He was born at Madina in the year 129 A.H.
Martyrdom: He was poisoned in the prison of Harun al-Rashid at Baghdad
in the year 183 A.H. He is buried in Kazimiyyah in Iraq. [39]
The Eighth Imam Ali bin Musa (A.S.)
Mother: Al Khayzran
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu al-Hasan
Laqab (Title): Al-Rida
Birth: He was born at Madina in 148 A.H.
Martyrdom: He was poisoned in the year 203 A.H. and is buried in the
Khurasan district of Iran. [40]
The Ninth Imam Muhammad bin Ali (A.S.)
Mother: Sakina
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu 'Abdillah
Laqab (Title): Al Jawad
Birth: He was born at Madina in 195 A.H.
Martyrdom: He died of poison at Baghdad in the year 220 A.H. and is
buried near his grandfather at Kazimiyyah in Iraq. [41]
The Tenth Imam Ali bin Muhammad (A.S.)
Mother: Samana al-Maghribiya
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu al-Hasan al Askari
Laqab (Title): Al Hadi
Birth: He was born at Madina in the year 212 A.H.
Martyrdom: He died of poison in 254 A.H. at Samarrah (Sarmanra) in Iraq
and is buried there. [42]
The Eleventh Imam Al Hasan bin Ali (A.S.)
Mother: Ummul Walad - Susan.
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu Muhammad.
Laqab (Title): Al Askari.
Birth: He was born at Samarrah in the year 232 A.H.
Martyrdom: He was poisoned in 260 A.H. at Samarrah and is buried there.
[43] All the tombs of the eleven Imams (a.s.) are a place of Ziyarat
(visitation) by Muslims. Four of the Imams are buried at Baqi in Madina
al-Munawwara. However, their tombs were demolished by the authorities
along with the tombs of the wives of the Prophet (S.A.W.) and his
companions.
The Twelfth Imam Al Hujjat Muhammad ibn al-Hasan (A.S.)
Mother: Ummul Walad Narjis alias Saiqal
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu 'Abdullah, Abu al-Qasim
Laqab (Title): Al-Qaim, Al-Muntazar, Al-Khalaf, Al-Mahdi, Sahib al-zamaan.
Birth: He was born at Samarrah in the year 255 A.H. He is the last Imam
(A.S.) and he is alive and hidden. [44]
Notes:
[34] Fatimah bint Asad was circumbulating the Ka'ba when she was
carrying Ali (A.S.). The wall of Ka'ba cracked to create an opening and
she entered it to give birth to Ali (A.S.). Al-Mustadrak 3:483.
[35] For biographical sketches of Ali(A.S.), Hasan(A.S.) and Husayn
(A.S.) refer to Tarikh Tabari in the events of 40, 50 and 60 A.H. Also
see Usd al-Ghaba.
[36] Ibn Athir, Ta'rikh. Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh.
[37] Al-Dhahabi, Tadhkirat al-Huffaz. Ibn Khallikan, Wafayat al-A'yan.
Abu Nu'aym al-Isbahani, Hilyat al-'Awliya. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh , 2:230.
Al-Dhahabi , Tarikh al-Islam Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh.
[38] Refer Abu Nu'aym al-Isbahani, Hilyat al-'Awliya, Ibn Khallikan,
Wafayat al-A'yan. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh , 2:381. Al-Mas'udi 3:46.
[39] Abu al-Faraj al-Isbahani, Maqatil al-Talibiyyin. Al-Khatib
al-Baghdadi, Tarikh Baghdad. Ibn Khallikan, Wafayat al-A'yan. Ibn Kathir,
Ta'rikh. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh , 2:414.
[40] Al-Tabari, Tarikh. Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh. Al-Dhahabi , Tarikh
al-Islam Ibn Khallikan, Wafayat al-A'yan. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh , 2:381.
Al-Mas'udi 3:441.
[41] Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, Tarikh Baghdad 3:54. Ibn Khallikan, Wafayat
al-A'yan. Al-Mas'udi 3:464.
[42] Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, Tarikh Baghdad 12:56. Ibn Khallikan, Wafayat
al-A'yan. Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh , 2:484. Al-Mas'udi 4:84.
[43] Ibn Khallikan, Wafayat al-A'yan. Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi , Tadhkirat al-Khawas
Al-Shaykh Muhammad bin Talha Shafi'i (died 654 A.H.), Matalib al-Su'ul
fi Manaqib Aali Rasul Al-Ya'qubi, Tarikh , 2:503.
[44] Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi , Tadhkirat al-Khawas Al-Shaykh Muhammad bin
Talha Shafi'i , Matalib al-Su'ul. Ibn Khallikan, Wafayat al-A'yan.
An Important Advice
One of the points in the traditions mentioned above is that each of the
twelve will be from the Quraysh. After them there will be chaos. Another
point is that the religion will remain established till the twelve
Caliphs of Quraysh are present. When they die, the earth will swallow
its inhabitants. The above two points thus prove that after the twelve
Caliphs of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) the earth will be destroyed.
Therefore it is necessary that one of these twelve successors should
have such a long life that it should surpass the age of this earth. This
is exactly how it happened. The Twelfth successor of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.) was bestowed with a long life. He is Al-Mahdi Muhammad ibn
Hasan Al Askari (A.S.). The traditions discussed in this treatise prove
the Imamat of these Twelve Noble Personalities. Not anyone else. |