Tehran, 1389 A.

Tehran, 1389 A.H. Imam Sadiq (a.s) also says, Allah, the Glorified, raised only five prophets from among the Arabs: Hud, Salih, Isma`il, Shu`ayb and Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets (a.s).[1] This tradition clearly disproves the baseless accusation levied on the Shiites, and confirms that only Muhammad ibn `Abdullah (a.s) is the final Messenger of God.[2] All over the world the Shiites thus believe that angel Gabriel has acted faithfully in delivering the divine mission, that Muhammad ibn `Abdullah (a.s) is the rightful Prophet, and the Final Messenger of Allah, and that `Ali ibn Abi-Talib (a.s), is the Prophets administrator, his legatee.

The following narration, known as hadith al-manzilah is recognized by both Shiites and Sunnis in which the holy Prophet (a.s), having announced himself as the last Prophet introduces `Ali (a.s) as his administrator and caliph after him: Will you not be pleased to be to me as Aaron was to Moses, save that there will be no Prophet after me[3] [1] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 11, p. 42, second ed. Beirut, 1403 A.H.

[2] See Subhani's Mafahim al-Qur'an for further familiarity with a multitude of traditions handed down concerning the Shiites view on the Final Prophet's mission. [3] Some of the numerous documents concerning the above tradition are: Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 6, p. 3. Egypt, chapter: Tabuk War; Sahih Muslim, vol. 7, P.120, Egypt, chapter: `Ali's virtues; Sunan Ibn Majah, vol. 1, p. 55, 1st ed. Egypt, chapter: virtues of the Prophet's companions; Al-Hakim's al-Mustadrak `ala al-Sahihayn, vol. 3, p.

109, Beirut; Musnad Ahmad , vol. 1. pp. 170, 177, 179, 182, 184, and 185; also vol. 3, p. 32; Sahih al-Tirmidhi , vol. 5, p. 21, Beirut, chapter: `Ali's excellence; Ibn al-Maghazili's al-Manaqib, p.

27, The great Islamic traditionists, the Shiites and the Sunnis alike, confirm the chain of the tradition of the above hadith and this is a clear proof confirming the truth of the Shiites statement in regard to the following points: a) Muhammad ibn `Abdullah (a.s) is the dearest Prophet of God, and the Seal of the Prophets, who has been raised to Prophethood upon Gods command; there will be no other Prophet after him. `Ali Ibn Abi-Talib (a.s) is the Prophets legatee and successor.

Beirut, 1403 A.H.; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 37, p. 254, 2nd ed, Beirut, 1430 A.H.; Shaykh al-Saduq's Ma`ani al-Akhbar, p. 74, Beirut, 1399 A.H.; Kanz al-Fawa'id, vol. 2, p. 168, Beirut, 1405 A.H. Back Index Next Previous…