ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discovering Islam Other Islamic Issues Leadership of the Muslims after the In every aspect of life, a form of leadership exists, whether it is in the workforce, education, government, family or religious institutes. The Quran emphasizes the role and significance of leadership in Islam. God states, “And remember the day on which we will call together all human beings with their leaders [imams]“ (17:71).

Throughout his prophethood, Muhammad had on several occasions named a successor after himself; more importantly, the commandment to name his successor came from God. God commanded the Prophet, “O Prophet! Proclaim what has been revealed to you from your Lord [the succession of Imam Ali], for if you do not, you will not have conveyed His message, and Allah will protect you from the people” (5:67).

This historical revelation came upon the Prophet at a major crossroad between Makkah and Madina, called Ghadeer Khum. The Prophet had just concluded making his first (and only) Hajj and was returning home, along with 110,000 pilgrims, when he received the command by God to appoint Imam Ali as his successor after his death.

After the Prophet had revealed the command before the people, the Quran then concluded with its last and final verse, “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favor on you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (5:3). The companions of the Prophet paid personal allegiance to Imam Ali and accepted him as the caliph after the Prophet. However, seventy days after the monumental incident, left this life.

Disarray overtook some Muslims regarding who should succeed the Prophet as leader of the Muslim community. There were two main groups; one that consisted of the family of the Prophet (Bani Hashim) and prominent companions, and the other being the prominent companions of the Prophet.

The first group believed that the Muslim leadership had already been established by divine ordinance[^1] and iterated by the Prophet.[^2] This group later became known as the ” Shia [^3] of Ali .” The second group believed that the Prophet left the issue of succession open to the Muslim community to decide the leadership based on the concept of consultation ( shura ). Members of the second group had suggested that Imam Ali would be too young (age 33) to assume leadership.

In their opinion, prophethood and succession (caliphate) should not be vested in one family.