Biography of prophet muhammad shia islam successors children

Prophet muhammad family tree

The major distinction between the school of Ahlul Bayt and the other Islamic schools of thought revolves around the issue of Imamah, or the early succession to Prophet Muhammad. The school of Ahlul Bayt maintains that the office of the imamah is a divine office — meaning, the imam or khalifah leadership has to be appointed and given directly by Allah, for this office holds the same significance as that of prophethood.

People are thus commanded by Allah to follow specific successors imams after the demise of the Prophet. Other schools of thought say that the imamah is determined by shura election and that this method was used to determine the successor of the Prophet Muhammad. I was appointed over you, but I am not the best one among you. O David! Verily We have placed you as a successor khalifah on the earth, so judge between men with truth and justice, and follow not your desires, for they will mislead you from the path of Allah.

And remember when the Lord of Abraham tried him with certain commands which he fulfilled. And We made from among them leaders imams , giving guidance under Our command, when they were patient and believed with certainty in Our proofs and evidence. Yet, does Islamic history show this command to have been carried out? How many caliphs and sultans during the Umayyad and Abbasid periods were corrupt and did not practice Islam properly, yet they were leaders of the Muslim nation?

In the school of Ahlul Bayt, the khilafah refers not only to temporal power and political authority over the people but more importantly, it indicates the authority to do so. This authority must be from Allah since Allah attributes governing and judgment to Himself. Possessor of the Kingdom! To Allah belongs the domain of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, and to Him will all return.

The decision hukm is only for Allah. He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.