Thus, he replied: All of them are from Quraysh.

Thus, he replied: All of them are from Quraysh. [^12] It has come in al-Mustadrak al-Hakim : It is reported from Masruq that he said: One night we were sitting with ‘Abd Allah. He was reading us the Qur’an. One man asked him, “O Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman, did you all ask the Messenger of Allah (S), how many caliphs will rule this nation? ‘Abd Allah replied, “No one before you have asked me this since I have come to Iraq.

Yes, we did ask him and he (S) said: Twelve, the number of the chieftains of the Children of Isra’il .”[^13] The traditions regarding this topic are numerous.[^14] Their transmissions are from the best of the companions, like Ibn ‘Abbas, Ibn Mas’ud, Salman al-Farisi, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, Abu Dharr, Jabir ibn Samurah, Jabir ibn ‘Abd Allah, Anas ibn Malik, Zayd ibn Thabit, Zayd ibn Arqam, Abu Thumamah, Wathilah ibn al-Asqa’, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, ‘Ammar ibn Yasir, Hudhayfah ibn Usayd, ‘Imran ibn Husayn, Sa’d ibn Malik, Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, Abu Qutadah al-Ansari and others.

Here we number some significant points in these traditions: The number of the successors (of the Prophet) is restricted to twelve. These twelve successors will continue till the Day of Judgment. The honour of Islam and the Muslims is dependent on their obedience.

The religion will be established both intellectually and practically through them, because the intellectual establishment of religion will take place through the commentator of the Qur’an and through the one who explains its realities and cognitions. The practical establishment will take place through the executor of its laws and just rules. These two important goals cannot be achieved except under special circumstances with these twelve divine leaders.

Choosing the example of the chieftains of the Children of Isra’il from all other examples is significant, because their succession was not chosen by people, rather it was specified by Allah. Thus, Allah, the Exalted, said about the chieftains: And We raised up among them twelve chieftains. [^15] These divine leaders [ Imams ] are from Quraysh. Are there any caliphs who have these specifications, except for those on the Right Path?

Is it possible to define the Twelve Divine Leaders except with our divine leaders (as)? Has the honour of Islam and its aims been achieved during the caliphate of Yazid son of Mu’awiyyah and his likes?