Seraj Mounir

Introduction

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said 📖:
The Jewish people were divided into seventy-one sects, only one sect is in the heaven and the others are in the fire. The Christian people were divided into seventy-two sects, only one sect is in the heaven and the others are in the fire. Muslims will be divided into seventy-three sects, only one sect is in the heaven and the others are in the fire.
The current status of Islamic world confirms the Prophet’s prediction and many Islamic sects exist with significant differences in opinion. Therefore, the survey is necessary to recognize the correct Islamic sect based on the logical reasons. Some people believe that the evaluation and comparison of different sects result in the disunity of Islamic community. However, it should be noted that the stable Islamic unity is achieved based on the reality and the guidance of community to the correct sect. The unity of Islamic community achieves based on the introduction of Islamic sect founded on the correct thought and viewpoint. The introduction of correct sect and acting based on the truth not only result in the correlation and coordination between the Islamic communities, but also save humanity in this world and hereafter.
Different religions have introduced a supervisor to lead community and implement the religious instructions. The holly Quran has introduced Prophet (SAW) as an excellent exemplar 📖 and the Prophet (SAW) was introduce a person as a reference to direct the community about the daily topics after His death. The Prophet’s successor and leader of community should be recognized based on the truth and sufficient reasons. One of the most important subjects resulting considerable difference in many Islamic sects is the Prophet’s successor and the Muslim leader after him. To approach the Islamic unity, such most important difference should be eliminated considering the evidence from the Quran, the Prophet’s tradition and logical reasons without any prejudice.
The aim of present website is to provide enough reasons to judge about the most suitable leader for the Islamic community after the Prophet’s death based on the facts from the Quran and Prophet’s statements and tradition, which are cited from valid references with successive statements (hadith). First, the necessity is expressed to appoint a successor by the Prophet (SAW) and the facts introducing the most suitable successor are presented. Then, the Prophet’s efforts are explained to nominate a successor from the beginning of prophecy until the moment of death. The holy Quran’s verses about the Prophet’s successor are introduced and the reasons for opposition of some companions (Sahaba) against the successor are explained. For any uncertainties and questions, we are ready to response about the questions issued by the link of “Contact us”. We hope that the present website provides enough information to select the correct Islamic sect.

Did the Prophet introduce a successor?

Who was the most competent successor?

Based on Quran, the Prophet’s statement and wisdom, the successor should be the most suitable person at that time. Ali ibn Abi Talib was the most suitable person based on the following verses of the Quran:

1. The payment of Zakat in genuflection (Maidah/55)📖: More than fifty Sunni scientists, as well as Shia scientists, believe that this verse was revealed to introduce Ali (AS) 📖.
2. The friendship of the Prophet’s relative (Ash-Shura/23)📖: The Prophet (SAW) stated that the purpose of this verse was Ali (AS), Fatemeh (SA) and their two sons (AS) 📖.
3. The verse of purification about the Prophet’s relative (Al-Ahzab/33) 📖: Ayesha stated that this verse was revealed when Ali (AS), Fatemah (SA) and their sons (AS) had been under the prophet’s dress 📖.
4. The night of accommodation (Laylatul-Mabit) (Al-Baghare/207)📖: Most commentators stated that this verse was revealed when Ali (AS) went to the Prophet’s bed at the immigration night 📖.
5. The pray for the descent of disaster (Ale-Imran/61)📖: Most of commentators stated that the word انفسنا refers to Ali (AS) 📖.

Ali (AS) was the most suitable person based on the following narrations:

• The Prophet made brotherhood agreement between companions. Abubakr was assigned Umar’s brother, Talhe was assigned Zobir’s brother, and Osman was assigned Abdollah ibn Oof’s brother. Ali (AS) was the only person that the Prophet (SAW) called him his brother and the Prophet (SAW) said that Ali (AS) is my brother in the world and hereafter 📖.
• Ali (AS) was born inside the Kaaba 📖.
• The Prophet (SAW) adopted Ali’s sponsorship and started training him from childhood.
• Ali (AS) and Khadijeh (SA) prayed with Prophet (SAW) seven years before the public declaration of Islam 📖.
• Ali (AS) never prostrated before anything or anyone except God.
• Ali (AS) was the first man accepted Islam 📖.
• Ali (AS) is the most popular person for God. One day a baked bird was brought for Prophet (SAW) and He invoked God to send His most popular person to eat this food with Him. At that time, Ali (AS) entered and ate the food with the Prophet (SAW) 📖.
• The Prophet (SAW) said 📖: “I and Ali were a single light four hundred years before Adam’s birthday and we were divided into two lights after Adam’s creation”.
• Ali (AS) was the most virtuous man 📖.
• Ali (AS) was the bravest companion. Some examples are lying in the Prophet’s bed at the night of accommodation (Laylatul-Mabit), killing many infidels in Badr war, stable in the Badr and Hunain wars, Khaibar victory, killing Amr ibn Abdawad and Jewish Marhb.
• Ali (AS) was the wisest companion. The Prophet (SAW) said 📖: “the wisest person of my people is Ali” and said: “I am the town of science and Ali is his door 📖 and everybody who searching for the science should enter through the door 📖”. The Prophet said to Fatimah (SA) 📖: “whether you are willing to marry with the first Muslim whose knowledge and patience are more than the others”. Ayesha said 📖: “Ali has more knowledge to the Prophet way (Sonat) than the others”. Umar said 📖: “Ali is unique in judgment”. Whenever Umar was faced with a difficult problem, he consulted with Ali (AS). Ibn Abil Hadid stated about Nahjol Balaghe (the book was written by Ali) that Ali (AS) is the resource of entire knowledge 📖.
• Ali (AS) broke the idols 📖.

What did Prophet do to introduce successor?

The Prophet (SAW) performed the following efforts to introduce Ali (AS) as His successor:

1. The Prophet (SAW) adopted Ali’s sponsorship and started training him from childhood.
2. The Prophet (SAW) trained Ali (AS) based on Islamic religion, so that Ali (AS) and Khadijeh (SA) prayed with him seven years before the public declaration of Islam 📖.
3. At the immigration time, the Prophet (SAW) selected Ali (AS) to be his replacement in Mecca to return the valuable things, which had been left in trust with Him, as well as to transfer the Banihashem’s women to Medina 📖.
4. The Prophet (SAW) accepted Ali (AS) as bridegroom, while Abu Bakr and Umar had been Fatimah’s suitors 📖.
5. The Prophet (SAW) gave to Ali (AS) the Muslim’s flag in most wars 📖.
6. The Prophet (SAW) only accepted Ali (AS) in the brotherhood’s pact and said 📖: “Ali (AS) is my brother in the world and hereafter”.
7. The Prophet (SAW) permitted Ali (AS) to visit Him at dawn, while nobody was permitted 📖.
8. After the revelation of verse “command your family to pray”, the Prophet (SAW) was coming near the Ali’s house and read the cleanness verse at the morning 📖.
9. After the failure of Abu Bakr and Umar in the Khaibar war, the Prophet (SAW) said: “I give the flag to person who God and Prophet love and admire him, God never humiliates him and he will not return unless the God makes him victorious”. Then, the Prophet (SAW) gave the flag to Ali (AS) 📖.
10. Abu Bak was allocated to declare the verses of Quran called "Braat verses". Then, Ali (SA) was sent to take back the verses from Abu Bakr and declare them. The Prophet (SAW) replied to Abu Bakr’s protest that God had commanded me to declare them yourself or somebody from yourself 📖.
11. Some companions opened the door of their house towards the mosque. The Prophet (SAW) ordered that the entire doors were closed except the door of Ali’s house 📖.
12. The Prophet (SAW) partnered Ali (AS) in his sacrifice at the last Hajj 📖.
13. Ayesha said that Prophet (SAW) asked to visit his dear at the last moments of his life. First Abu Bakr and second Umar were entered. However, Prophet (SAW) brought down his head as He saw them. Then, Ali (AS) was called and Prophet (SAW) accepted him close himself and whispered with him. Finally, Prophet (SAW) died, when his hands were inside the Ali’s hands 📖. Ome Salameh also said 📖: “Prophet (SAW) whispered with Ali (AS) and said some secrets to Him at the last moments of His life”.
14. The Prophet (SAW) performed the following efforts at the end of life:
    • He introduced the twelve leaders after himself in the Arafat at the last hajj. However, opponents made noise so that Prophet (SAW) was disappointed to continue his lecture.
    • Prophet (SAW) ordered to put the camel’s shade at Ghadir Khom located in the return path from Mecca toward Medina and He and Ali (AS) went over them. Prophet (SAW) raised Ali’s hand and declared that He was his successor. The opponents, who had not anticipated it, could do nothing.
    • Prophet (SAW) ordered that a troop was sent to fight with Roman troop, when He was in the sickness bed at end of life. Prophet (SAW) selected a young man called Osameh as the commander of the troop 📖 in order to teach the people that the high age is not the condition for convenient person to lead a troop. Therefore, they cannot disagree with Ali (AS) as a successor because of youth.
    • A few days before death, Prophet (SAW) asked papers to write something preventing the deviation from the correct way after Him. Umar understood that Prophet (SAW) wanted to introduce His successor and he said “there is no need for papers because Prophet has fever and say incorrect thing, Quran is enough for us”. The hypocrites repeated it. Prophet (SAW) asked them:”leave here, it is not suitable to dispute aside Prophet” 📖 . After leaving hypocrites, Prophet (SAW) willed that my family (Ahlulbayt) (AS) is the successor 📖.

What’s the Ghadir tradition?

The tradition (hadith) stated at Ghadir Khom is the most important reason introducing Ali (AS) as Prophet’s successor. Prophet (SAW) performed only one hajj after the immigration to Medina. The Prophet (SAW) leaved Mecca to Medina after His last pilgrimage. A region between Mecca and Medina is called Ghadir Khom, in which the way was divided into several ways. At this region, the following verse, called Eblagh verse 📖, was revealed:

"O Apostle! Deliver what has been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you don't do it, you have not delivered His message (at all); and Allah will protect you from the people ..."

The Prophet (SAW) stopped until the other people reached there and sent messengers to return the people who passed there. The weather was extremely hot. After the noon prayer, the Prophet (SAW) went to an elevated place made with the saddle of camels. First, He praised God and witnessed to God’s unity. He said:

“I will reply God’s invitation soon and I will eagerly go up the other world”.

He asked about their witness to God’s unity, prophecy and the existence of the other world. The people confirmed them. Then, He continued:

“I leave two valuables for you. If you obey them, you will never go astray after me. The Quran which is between God and you and my family. They will not separate until they will reach to me beside the Kosar (it is a pool in the praise)”.

Prophet (SAW) said:

“God is my lord and I am the lord of faithful people and I am more competent for you than yourselves”. Then, He raised Ali’s hand until it was revealed the whiteness under their arms and He said:

“Whoever I am his leader (mawla), Ali is his leader (mawla).”

The Prophet (SAW) invoked God to admire whoever loves him and hate whoever hates him, help his helpers, humiliate his degrading and set him as right criteria. The Prophet asked the presents to state this message to absent. Before people’s dispersion, the following verse, called Ekmal verse 📖, was revealed:

"Today I have perfected your religion and completed my favor upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion."

The people such as Abu Bakr and Umar congratulated to Ali (AS).

Many people mentioned the Ghadir tradition such as Umar Ibn Khattab 📖, Osman Ibn Affan and Prophet’s wives such as Ome Salameh and Ayesha. In addition to, the name of 110 companions (are called Sahaba) and 84 followers (are called Tabi‘un) have been registered in the Sunni’s book as the people who stated the Ghadir tradition. Then number of Sunni scientists who stated the Ghadir tradition are: 56 persons at second century, 92 persons at third century, 43 persons at fourth century, 24 persons at fifth century, 20 persons at sixth century, 21 persons at seventh century, 18 persons at eighth century, 16 persons at ninth century, 14 persons at tenth century, 12 persons at eleventh century, 13 persons at twelfth second century, 12 persons at thirteenth century and 19 persons at fourteenth century 📖 .

The Prophet (SAW) went to his tent and ordered that Ali (AS) to be in another tent. The Prophet (SAW) asked the people to congratulate Ali (AS). After the people’s congratulation, the Prophet asked his wives to congratulate Ali (AS).

At least 30 pioneer commentators and narrations from third to fourteenth centuries stated 📖 that Harith Ibn Numan came to visit Prophet (SAW) after he had been informed about the Ghadir tradition. He said: “you ordered us to accept the God’s unity, prophecy, prayer, fasting, zakat, hajj and we accepted them. Now you are not satisfied and imposed your cousin to us. Is this imposition from you or from God?” The Prophet (SAW) took an oath to God that it was declared from God. Harith turned back and went towards his camel while he wished torture. He has not reached to his camel yet when a stone fell to his head from sky and he died. Then, the following verses (Al-Ma'arij /1-3) 📖 was revealed:

"A questioner questioned about the punishment to fall. For the disbelievers there is nothing to avert it, from Allah the Lord of the Ascent."

Some Sunni commentators confirmed this subject.

The word “mawla” in the Ghadir tradition means friend as well as leader and some commentators have believed that this tradition indicates to be friend with Ali (AS). It is incorrect because:

• It was an important subject because the Prophet (SAW) was stated that the religion declaration is incomplete without this subject, as stated in the Eblagh verse 📖.
• It was a main subject because the Prophet (SAW) spoke about God’s unity, prophecy and the other world at the start of lecture.
• It was an important subject because the Prophet (SAW) pointed to the short remaining time of his life at the start of lecture.
• Ekmal verse 📖 was revealed after lecture.
• The Prophet (SAW) stated that He was more competent than people before the declaration of Ali’s leadership.
• The entire companions who were in Ghadir Khom confirmed the leadership instead of friendship.
• The word “mawla” was used in Quran with the meaning of the leader.
• The Prophet (SAW) was congratulated after the Ghadir tradition.
• The torture was descent for Harith Ibn Numan.

Why was the notification (Eblagh) verse revealed?

God had declared that Ali’s leadership in the describing his Zakat payment in genuflection 📖. The Prophet (SAW) was worried that the people denied him and lost their faith. The Eblagh verse 📖 was revealed at Ghadir Khom to emphasis the prophetic mission will be completed by notification what had been revealed. The Sunni scholars confirm this subject. It was made a doubt that the Eblagh verse was revealed because Prophet (SAW) scared to say his situation about Jewish people. It is incorrect because the Jewish people were not magnificent when this verse was revealed as well as the Prophet (SAW) had clearly stated some verses about Jewish people 📖.

Why was the Ekmal verse revealed?

This verse was revealed after the Ghadir tradition, because Prophet (SAW) determined the Muslim leader after him. The Sunni scholars confirm it. Bokhari stated a tradition that Umar Ibn Khatab said that this verse was revealed at Arafat day at last Prophet’s hajj, while this tradition was stated from invalid narrators. In addition to, this tradition cannot be used as criterion because it was sated from Umar who was not neutral and wanted to extort caliphate.

Ibn Taimiah tried to prove that verses 1-3 of Al-Ma'arij surah were not revealed about Harith’s torment. He said:

• The Al-Ma'arij surah of Quran was revealed at Mecca and it is not related to the Ghadir tradition.
  Reply: There are many chapters in Quran that the most of their verses were revealed in Mecca and only a part or even the start of them was revealed in Medina.
• God declines no torment when the Prophet (SAW) exists.
  Reply: No public torment was revealed after the Prophet’s invocation. However, many private torments were revealed when the Prophet (SAW) had invocated.
• This event should be mentioned as a miracle like the torment of Abraha who wanted to destroy Mecca with his troop at the elephant year.
  Reply: Unlike Harith’ torment, it was a public torment whose news was released very soon.
• The torment is not revealed to Muslim.
  Reply: Harith believed that the Prophet (SAW) is mendacious and he was a heretic.

Who opposed to Prophet’s successor?

Some companions opposed to Ali’s caliphate because of the following reasons:

• Some companions (Sahaba) did not completely obey the religious instructions and believed that Islamic instructions can be modified to achieve some benefits. In spite of verses of Quran 📖, they also believed that the complete obeying from Prophet (SAW) was not necessary. Umar Ibn Khattab was a Prophet’s companion who opposed to Prophet (SAW) during His life or after His dead in some cases such as Hudaibiya peace 📖, Osameh leadership 📖, writing Prophet’s will 📖, changing of Azan (replacement the new phrase “الصلاه خیر من النوم”📖 to “حی علی خیر العمل” 📖 only in morning Azan), preventing temporary marriage (nikah mut'ah) 📖 and prohibiting mutah al-hajj in the months of Hajj 📖. It should be noted that the holly Quran introduces such persons as infidels (Kafirun) because they judge regardless of what have been revealed by God 📖.
• Qurash hated that the prophecy and caliphate belonged to a single family 📖, while the God wanted the Prophet’s family was superior and clean from every sin as stated in Quran 📖.
• Some companions believed that some persons cannot bear Ali’s justice 📖. Such belief was incorrect because some companions from Ansar wanted Ali (AS) to be caliphate 📖, because Prophet (SAW) said to Ansar 📖 : “The governors after me will make injustice to Ansar”. Finally, Abu Bakr’s caliphate was imposed to people 📖 without considering the people’s bearing.
• Some companions believed that Ali (AS) was young for caliphate. Such belief was incorrect because the Prophet (SAW) assigned a young man, called Osameh, for the leadership of a troop 📖 to show that the capability is independent of the age.
• Some companions believed that Ali (AS) was not caliphate after Prophet (SAW) because God did not want. God’s desire and Prophet’s desire are the same based on the verses of Quran 📖 . Since the Prophet (SAW) wanted that Ali (AS) would be his successor, then the Ali’s caliphate is God’s wanting. In addition to, there are many Quran’s verses to emphasis that Ali (AS) is the Prophet’s successor📖.
• Ali (AS) was a man who killed many infidels in the Islamic wars and some progenies, who were Muslim, hated Ali (AS) 📖.
• Some companions wanted a caliphate that differed between people to gain more public facilities, while they knew Ali’s justice and rightness 📖.
• Some people of Mecca tried to eliminate Prophet (SAW) and His family because they wanted to continue the idolatry and earning money from idolatry 📖.

Conculsion

The Prophet’s successor is important topic which was clearly introduced during the Prophet’s life. Islam as the last and most complete religion have paid enough attention about this topic and the Prophet (SAW), like the Prophets of different religions, introduced His successor. The prophet Mohammad (SAW) as the messenger of the most complete religion introduced Ali (AS) as His successor. The Prophet (SAW) trained the successor when He was child and Ali (AS) was the first man who accepted the Islam. The Prophet (SAW) selected His successor for the most important affairs during His prophecy to reveal that He was the most honest and competent person to lead Islamic community. Finally, the Prophet (SAW) declared that Ali (AS) is the leader after him in a public lecture at the last hajj to complete the Islamic religion. Ali’s leadership has been expressed in several verses of holy Quran and the famous commentators confirmed the indication of Ali’s successor in such verses. The Ali’s morality and behavior were according to the Quran instruction and the Prophet’s way and He had never prostrated the idols before Islamic declaration. The abandonment of Quran verses and the Prophet’s way is the basis for the difference of Muslims and many problems in Islamic community, while the Islam religion clearly declared the leadership after the Prophet’s death. At the end, the Prophet’s tradition is stated again which clearly indicates the current status of Islamic community. The Prophet (SAW) said 📖 : The Jewish people were divided into seventy-one sects, only one sect is in the heaven and the others are in the fire. The Christian people were divided into seventy-two sects, only one sect is in the heaven and the others are in the fire. Muslims will be divided into seventy-three sects, only one sect is in the heaven and the others are in the fire.