It is worth mentioning that for investigating into the...

It is worth mentioning that for investigating into the authenticity of such traditions and selecting the most authentic ones, we should go to traditions whose narrators are among document chains of jurisprudence traditions, for clerics expert in Rijal (knowledge of distinguished hadith narrators) have paid more attention to them and hence they can be more easily recognized.

With regard to the excess of traditions in the present topic and the existence of various indications, of course, there is no need for investigating any documents.

In any case, in writing this book nearly fifty books of both the Sunni and Shiite have been used, the most important of which are as follow: Ithbat Al-Hudat , Ghayat Al-Maram , Muntakhab Al-Athar , Aman Al-Ummah , Jami’ Al-Ruwat and Tanqih Al-Maqal from the Shi’a, and Sahih Al-Bukhari , Sahih Muslim , Mustadrak , Sunan Al-Tirmidhi , Sunan Al-Nisa’i , Sunan Abi Dawud , Sunan Ibn Majah , Musnad Ahmad , Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabir , Al-Sawa’iq Al-Muhriqah , Kanz Al-Ummal , Lisan Al-Mizan , and Tahdhib Al-Tahdhib from the Sunni.

What are Imamate and Caliphate? Raghib—the famous lexicographer—in his book entitled Mufradat states, “An Imam is one who is followed. It can be either a person whose speech and behavior are followed, or a book, etc.” He also says about Caliphate, “Caliphate is the succession of another person.” The terms “Imamate” and “Caliphate” seem to have been used in the same lexical meaning in religious texts, too.

The realm of these two concepts, however, may be wide or narrow, depending on their sphere of usage. So, if Imamate is used with ‘ Ummah ’ (nation) or ‘ naas ’ (the masses); or it is used in the abstract, it means all-around leadership which is of excellent status and we are not to deal with its features and greatness here. The relationship between the concepts of Imamate and Caliphate is a distinct issue which should be dealt with in its own place.

But two points are of significance in the present discussion: First, Imamate and Caliphate are the succession of the Prophet of Islam (a.s) after his demise, in religious and social affairs. Second, Imamate and Caliphate are in practice inseparable. In other words, the same person who is Imam should be Caliph and the Prophet’s successor. It is impossible to consider someone as only Imam and the other as merely Caliph.