Leadership of Imam Ali [a]

Ali ibn Abi Talib is the Imam after our Prophet (May Allah's blessing and peace be on him and his descendants). The Holy Prophet addressing Imam Ali said: "Ali, you are my brother, the heir of my knowledge, my successor after me and payer of my debt. You are to me as Aaron was to Moses, but there shall be no prophet after me." The Holy Prophet also said: "Greet Ali as the Commander of the Faithful, listen to him and obey him. Get knowledge from him but do not teach him." On another occasion the Holy Prophet said: "This Ali is the master of him whose master I am. May Allah be friendly to him who is friendly to Ali and be hostile to him who is hostile to Ali."

The Leaders of Islam

Following Imam Ali there are eleven leaders in his progeny (Peace be on them). The first of them is his son, Hasan, then Husayn, then Ali ibn Husayn, then Muhammad ibn Ali, then Ja'far ibn Muhammad, then Musa ibn Ja'far, then Ali ibn Musa, then Muhammad ibn Ali, then Ali ibn Muhammad, then Hasan ibn Ali then al-Hujjah al-Qa’im al-Mahdi al-Hadi ibn Hasan, Master of the Time (May Allah hasten his blessed advent). They are all rightful Imams, one after another, for each one of them designated the next one as his successor. The reports of this designation are continuous. The Holy Prophet himself has said: "This son of mine, Husayn is an Imam, son of an Imam, brother of an Imam and father of nine Imams. The ninth of them is their Qa'im who will fill the earth with justice and fairplay as it be filled with tyranny and oppression."

Imams are Infallible

All the Imams are necessarily infallible and cleansed of all sins, petty or grave, committed intentionally or unintentionally, pertaining to sayings or doings, for if they committed sins, they would lose their position in the hearts of the people who would not have confidence in them. In such a condition how would they guide the straying and the misleading? There is a consensus of opinion that no one is infallible except the 12 Imams. Thus their leadership is an established fact.

Superiority of Imam

The Imams must necessarily be most learned and the best of all people. Should they not be so, giving preference to the inferior without any cogent reason would follow, which is absurd by all rational and traditional standards.

The excellence of our Imams is well known. Their superiority is clearer than daylight and surer than the day which has passed.

The Religion of the Ancestors of the Prophets & Imams

It must be believed that the fore-fathers of our Holy Prophet and our Imams have always been Muslims. Not only that but most of them have been deputies. The reports about Abu Talib's Islam which have come down to us from the members of the Holy Prophet's House are indisputable and exact. His life account is also a proof of His Islam.