A set of hadiths narrated by our Sunni brothers about twelve successors of the Prophet will be presented in this article. There are different versions of these hadiths; sometimes the term Amīr, or ruler/leader is used for the twelve Imams and sometimes the term caliph, or successor, is used. It is interesting to note that in these sets of hadiths, the number twelve is always used. In a hadith in …

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One of the issues that the believers in Imam Mahdi would like to understand during the time of his Major Occultation, is to take cognizance of the tasks that are assigned to them during this period. It is totally clear that a loyal expectant awaiting the Imam and looking forward to the great universal peacemaker must also show his or her expectation and readiness in beliefs, thoughts, and actions. It …

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In response, we can pay attention to some points: First, creating a culture to celebrate the Days of Allah[1], such as Ghadir and Mab'ath Eve,[2] the anniversary of the Holy Prophet’s birthday, and other religious occasions are rooted in the cultural life of the Household of the Prophet. The Shias celebrate both of the birthday and the day of the beginning the mission of the Messenger of Allah; and both …

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In every period of time, there should be an Imam among people. This Imam must be spiritually a perfect human who knows everything and is able to guide people. This prefect man is connected to the world of unseen and is the deliverer of Allah’s words to people. This man should not let people to unanimously go astray and if the majority of people adapt the wrong path, he should …

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The other intellectual proof of the necessity of Imamate is called the Argument of instinct. People with different religions have an instinctive tendency towards a Perfect Man as the Savior who knows everything, can solve every problem, and is able to bring about peace, security, and unity in the world. When all people in the world without a single example are like this, it means that Allah has created this …

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Putting aside the authentic narrations written in the books of traditions, there are some intellectual arguments that prove the necessity of Imamate one of which is called the Argument of Purpose. We know that there is a purpose behind whatever Allah does; and Allah Who is All-Wise never creates something that is useless in which there is no clear purpose or reason behind it. Some Sunni theologians who are called …

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Shia believes that Imam al-Mahdi was born in the year of 869 A.D (255 A.H) in Samara and went into the hiding soon after. He is the man that is still alive and will come at an appointed time to save the world from tyranny and injustice. Sunnis mostly believe that he has not been born yet, however there are sufficient proofs in Sunni and Shia sources to show that …

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Shia believes that Imam al-Mahdi was born in the year 869 A.D (255 A.H) in Samara and went into the hiding soon after. Since then, the Imam is still alive and will appear, when Allah decides, to save the world from oppression and injustice. Our Sunni brothers mostly believe that the Imam’s father Imam al-Hassan al-‘Askarī (the Shia’s eleventh Imam) did not have a son and that Imam has not …

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All of the Islamic traditionists from various Islamic branches have a unanimous agreement that this narration is healthy and is narrated from the Prophet and no Islamic figure doubts the authenticity of it. It is enough for the validity of this narration to be mentioned by some great Sunni figures like Moslem in his Sahīh, al-Tirmezī and Ahmad bin Hanbal in their Mosnads, al-Nasāee in his Khasāes, Hākim al-Naysābūrī in …

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The fact is that great love and affection towards Imam Mahdi is not given to a man up until an intensive need for the Imam of the Age becomes created in his heart. The truth is that if we have cognizance about the real stance of our Imam, Imam Mahdi in the world and in our life, we cannot suffice ourselves with a little interest in him. The second truth …

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