Part I
General Meaning
Meaning of Imamate and Khilafah
Summary of differences
Basic difference
System of Islamic leadership

Part II
The Shi'ite Point of View
The necessity of Imamate and the qualifications of an Imam
Infallibility of Imams
Superiority of 'Ali [a]
Appointment of 'Ali [a]
Verse of mastership (wilayah)
The formal declaration of Ghadir Khumm
'Ali [a] "self" of the Prophet [s]
Traditions
Ulu'l-amr must be ma'sum
Ulu'l-amr: does it mean muslim rulers?
Real meaning of Ulu'l-amr
Twelve caliphs or Imams
Few facts about the twelve Imams [a]

Part III
The Sunni Point of View
Sunni views on the caliphate
Qualifications of a caliph
Abu Bakr's rise to power
Short review
Nomination of 'Umar
Ash-Shura: the committee
General review
The practical side
Al-Walid and Harun al-Rashid
Effects on the beliefs of the Justice of God and 'ismah of the Prophets [a]
Is Shi'ism undemocratic?
A dynastic rule?

Bibliography