And after him there shall be no prophethood and after him...

And after him there shall be no prophethood and after him shall be Twelve Pure Imams.” This tradition is recorded by Shobi and Kashful Ghumma and other scholars like Khwarizmi, Hamuyi, Juwaini, Ibn Najjar and Abdullah bin Ahmad continued to include it in their writings. It should be clear that it was with regard to those who are purified of all small and greater sins. Thus, just like Holy Prophet (S) is infallible, In the same way, are Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and other Twelve Imams.

It is the belief of this writer that the fourteen are purified of all small and great sins. But the non-Imamiyah do not consider anyone infallible, except the Holy Prophet (S) an d rather, there is a sect of Ahlul Sunnat that does not consider even Holy Prophet (S) as infallible except at the time of getting divine revelation. We seek Allah’s refuge from such infa my! (10) He is the first of the twelve Imams of the family of Holy Prophet (S).

It should be clear that the Twelve Imams are as follows: The first Imam is Ali al-Murtadha’ (a.s.), second, Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba, third, Imam Husayn, the Martyr of Karbala’, fourth, the chief of those who prostrate, the ornament of the worshipper, Imam Sajjad (a.s.), fifth, Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.), sixth, Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.), seventh, Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.), eighth, Imam Ali ar-Reza (a.s.), ninth, Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.), tenth, Imam Ali an-Naqi (a.s.), eleventh, Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.), twelfth, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi, the Master of the Age and the time.

Peace be upon them till Judgment Day. These infallible Imams are the successors of the Holy Prophet (S) and they were the guardians of religion after him. All the descendants of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) (Sadaat) are related to these personages. And according to Ibn Qutaibah there was a time when all the Sadaat followed the religion of these Imams. The excellence of these beloved ones of the Prophet is beyond computation. The followers of the family of the Prophet may invoke blessings upon them.

(11) He, Ali (a.s.) is also from Ahlul Bayt according to the verse of Malediction.[^5] Muslim relates from Saad Ibn Abi Waqqas that when this verse was revealed, the Holy Prophet (S) called Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husayn (a.s.) and said: “O Allah! These are my Ahlul Bayt.” (12) Ali (a.s.) was the favorite and most beloved to the Holy Prophet (S) than other people. As proved from the tradition of the Roasted Bird, which Tirmidhi and Hakim have recorded.