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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Awaited Imām Mahdī (peace Be Upon Him) Preface Today is 18 Dhul-hijjah, the day when the Prophet*(Peace Be Upon Him and His Household)* stayed at Ghadīr Khum after his return from Hajjat-ul-wadā‘ to Medina. Surrounded by the , he declared while raising the hand of ‘Alī al-Murtadā (RA): مَنْ كُنْتُ مَولاهُ فَعَلِيٌّ مَولاهُ. Whoever has me as his master ‘Alī is his master.

This was the declaration of ‘Alī’s spiritual sovereignty and its unconditional acceptance is binding on believers till the Day of Judgement. It clearly proves that anyone who denies ‘Alī’s spiritual sovereignty in fact denies the Prophet’s spiritual sovereignty.

This most humble follower of the Prophet*(Peace Be Upon Him and His Household)* felt that some people deny this reality partly out of ignorance and partly out of prejudice, which is spreading unnecessary tension and disunity in the Muslim community. Under the circumstances I thought it necessary to write two pamphlets on the issue of sovereignty and leadership: one titled as The Ghadīr Declaration and the other titled The Awaited Imām Mahdī (D).

The former is designed to clarify the status of ‘Alī*(Peace Be Upon Him)* as the opener of the spiritual sovereignty and the latter is designed to describe the status of Imām Mahdī (Peace Be Upon Him) , the seal of spiritual sovereignty. The main purpose is to remove the doubts that have gathered around the issue and to make the Muslims aware of the reality.

The spiritual sovereignty of ‘Alī and Mahdī ( عليهما السلام ) are proved by the authentic hadīth-books of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamā‘ah, in the form of continuous traditions, (that is, there is uninterrupted evidence to endorse the soundness of the traditions). In the first pamphlet I have included 51 traditions which are full authenticated and referenced. The reason for this number is that this year I have completed 51 years of my life.

Therefore, in order to gain blessings I have humbly used this relationship as wasīlah (intermediation) in the presence of ‘Alī (RA), so that this meagre effort is accepted. (Āmīn) In this preface I want to clarify the three types of legacy (inheritance) handed down by the Holy Prophet*(Peace Be Upon Him and His Household)* : The spiritual inheritance of ‘unapparent succession’ (spiritual khilāfah).