خلاصة:
In Part I of this series, the concept of Imamate as one of the five principles of Shi‘i Islam was discussed, as well as the characteristics that qualify a person for the role of an Imam. Indeed, Prophet Muhammad (s) emphasized on the necessity of holding fast to the Qur’an and the Ahlul Bayt after his departure from this world. The first part ended with a discussion about the meaning of the "Ahlul Bayt." In this part, more narrations are cited to provide a description of the Ahlul Bayt. Narrations from Sunni texts will also beused to reveal the authenticity of the twelve successors and their role of upholding the religion of Islam after the Prophet’s death. The differences between Sunnis and Shi‘as with regards to whom these twelve successors are will be explained. These hadiths and explanations will be offered to further clarify the term Imam -according to the Shi‘a- as a person who is a divinely appointed leader, one who displays infallibility and isunsurpassable in both knowledge and piety.
ملخص الجهاز:
"(33:33)" This hadith narrated by Ahmad ibn Hanbal mentions that this verse as well as the title Ahlul Bayt is only relevant to four unique people: Lady Fatimah, Imam Ali, Imam Hasan, and Imam Husayn.
’ For example, Zamakhshari a Sunni scholar and author of a well-known commentary of the Qur’an called Al-Kashsh f says: When the verse 23 of chapter al-Mu’minun (The Believers) was revealed2 the Prophet was asked what is meant by qurb (near relatives), and the Prophet replied: "Ali, Fatimah, and their two sons.
And if the Prophet Muhammad (s) announced to the people that these twelve are the leaders, or that this Ahlul Bayt are the people that we must refer to, or in other in which indicate his appointment of Imam Ali, it was only because he was asked by Allah to do so.
H. , in his Al-Milal wa al-Nihal, deemed the Shi‘a as those who follow Ali and believed in his Imamate and caliphate according to the explicit instruction of the Prophet Muhammad (s).
Both hadiths confirm the authenticity of the term Shi‘a as a person who follows Imam Ali and his successors as divinely appointed leaders.
In addition to following the Ahlul Bayt, hadiths in both Sunni and Shi‘a sources refer to the importance of following twelve successive leaders after the Prophet."