If the Prophet (S) ignored the matter of the rule after him...

If the Prophet (S) ignored the matter of the rule after him, this would lead to the destruction of the social pillars which Islam had built and the destruction of the general life of Muslims. The crises and misfortunes that the nation faced throughout its ages were, undoubtedly, the result of keeping the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) away from the caliphate.

It was the political avidities and the greediness of authority that prevented from fulfilling the Prophet’s recommendations and wills concerning his family. Anyhow, the nation suffered and is still suffering much because of separating the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) from the rule. Muhammad al-Keilani says, ‘The people disputed on the position of caliphate in a way that was unequalled in other nations. They committed for the sake of that what we ourselves refrain from nowadays.

And consequently, many souls were ruined, towns were destroyed, villages were torn down, houses were burnt, women were made widows, children were made orphans and great masses of Muslims were killed.’[^1] Allah had sent the Prophet (S) as mercy for mankind. Hence, would he leave his nation in anarchy after him without choosing a leader to lead it after his death? Let us see who that leader was!

The Prophet Nominates Ali The caliphate was not to be determined due to desires and fancies because it was from the fatal matters of the nation and on it all the nation’s goals and affairs depended. The certain thing due to the scientific studies and the serious pondering on the Prophet’s conducts and the sources of the Islamic history make it clear that the Prophet (S) had nominated Imam Ali (a.s.) for the caliphate and made him the imam of Muslims after him.

Many true mutawatir[^2] traditions confirmed this fact. The Prophet (S), on many occasions, praised Imam Ali (a.s.) and showed his high position. Once he said that Imam Ali (a.s.) was the gate of his town of knowledge, another once he said that Imam Ali (a.s.) was with the truth and the truth was with him; third, Ali was with the Qur'an and the Qur'an was with Ali, and that he was to the Prophet (S) as Aaron was to Moses.

All these facts were proved on the day of al-Ghadeer when the Prophet (S) gathered the Muslims and announced the caliphate, emirate and guardianship of Imam Ali (a.s.) over the Muslims, and then the Prophet’s companions and his wives paid homage to the Imam. Umar bin al-Khattab congratulated him saying, ‘Congratulations O son of Abi Talib!