Prophecy according to the Shia...

Prophecy according to the Shia: The Shia following the divine book, traditions and in the light of clear narrations of the Prophet's household not only consider 'Muhammad bin Abdullah' as the true prophet who was appointed by God for a universal message, but also declare his holiness as the seal to the prophets and one who attained the highest position among all the divine messengers.

The great Shia leader, Ali Ibn Abi talib (p) in one of his eloquent speeches, testified to this reality: "And I bear witness that there is no God but Allah alone, no partner is associated with him and witness that Muhammed is his slave and messenger, the seal of the prophets and God's authority over the world." Imam Sadiq (p) also said: "The Exalted and Glorious Lord only appointed five prophets among the Arabs; Hud, Saleh, Ismail, Shuaib (Jethro) and Muhammed (p) the seal of the prophets." This blessed narration clearly proves the baselessness of the false accusation to the Shias and identifies the Holy prophet Muhammed (p) to being the last messenger of Allah.

Thus, Shias all over the world believe in the honesty of Gabriel in communicating the message, and declare that Muhammed bin Abdullah is the true prophet and the last messenger of God, and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (p) is his successor. It is worth mentioning that both the Shia and the Sunni have agreement upon the following narration and have stated it in their authentic books.

This narration which is known as the 'Rank narration' where the honorable prophet after declaring his message as being the seal of messages, introduced Ali as his successor. God's messenger (p) said to Ali bin Abi Talib (p) "Aren't you satisfied to be infront of me as Haroon to Moses (i.e., as haroon was the successor to Moses, you be my caliph and successor) except that after me there is no prophet (p).

This narration, which in authenticity, is accepted by the great Islamic narrators, both Shia and Sunni, is a clear evidence of the correctness of the Shia speech based on two grounds. Muhammed bin Abdullah is the most honorable of God's messengers and the seal of the divine messengers who was appointed by the command of the Exalted God for the eternal and universal message; and after him there will be no prophets. Ali bin Abi talib (p) is the successor and the caliph of the Muslims after him.

Tafseer Fakhr Al-Razi, vol. 1 p. 436, 437, printed in Egypt, 1308 Hijra. (Shura: 194) (Baqara:97) Nahj Al-Sa-adah, vol. 1 p.