Thus, Imamate and therefore leadership, both religious and...

Thus, Imamate and therefore leadership, both religious and temporal, always remained, in reality, with Imam Ali (a.s.) and his eleven designated progeny called the Imams of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). The choice of ostensible temporal heads, in all sorts of manners, never made any difference to the Divinely appointed Imam (a.s.).

The various dictates and judgements rendered by the Imams (a.s.) in temporal matters, which the rulers of the time found incapable of solution, is an ample proof that the Caliphate (the temporal authority) also remained, in reality, with the Imams (a.s.