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Here are some pictures, I would love to know why.

A/A Did Ali,as,know that there were 12 Imams after the passing of the Prophet? If so,where is this documented?

Salam Alaykum to you all, I have a simple question about the practicality of 12 Imams. Assume Allahs will goes to plan and Ali becomes the leader of the Ummah after the Prophet Peace be upon him, then he passes it onto Al Hassan, then to Al Hussain and so on. When we reach the 12th Imam, Imam Al Mahdi - what happens? He will not need to go into hiding, because no one is after his blood. So will he pass on the Imamate to a 13th Imam? Or will the world end after Imam Al Mahdi dies?

The word ''day'' (yawm in arabic transliteration) is mentioned in the Holy Quran 365 times,in the words pure form. The word that corresponds the english word ''month'' in arabic is shahr and is mentioned 12 times in the holy quran in its pure form. Whereas the word imam comes 7 times in its pure form and 5 times in its dual or plural forms (aimmah etc) so this word with its derivatives a total of 12 times. Its is certain that there are 365 days in a year It is certain that there are 12 months in a year this forms a pattern therefore Allah chose 12 imams from the line of Muhammad (saa) Oh, people of the ahlus sunnah will you continue to resist the truth ?

I just wanted to see fellow shia's view on prophet Ibrahim (a.s) and how he corresponds on the greatest creation list. I personally think he is the second best creation and that if it wasn't for him, Allah would not have made among his offspring the 12 imams were it not for his dua.

Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds - How is this verse alluding to the family of muhammad. Also can one explain what Anwar Qazwini was trying to say in this lecture

Asalamualaikum, I heard that there is a verse in the quran where certain people are given the qadr of Allah. Before it use to be Rasullulah, but because there is no prophet then there must be an infallible guide to recieve the qadr of Allah in present day. Therefore there must always be a hujja on this earth. Does anyone know the reference to this verse? Also can one provide an article on the verses alluding to ALL 12 imams. Not just Imam Ali(as) or Imam Mahdi(as)

QURAN: أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا 1. Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah , they would have found within it much contradiction. (4:82) كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ 2. [This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded. (38:29) ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ نَزَّلَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ ۗ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِي الْكِتَابِ لَفِي شِقَاقٍ بَعِيدٍ 3. That is [deserved by them] because Allah has sent down the Book in truth. And indeed, those who differ over the Book are in extreme dissension.(2:176) IBRAHIM AS AND HIS RELIGION IN QURAN: - وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَاتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۗ وَاتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلًا 4. And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend. (4:125) قُلْ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ ۗ فَاتَّبِعُوا مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ 5. Say, " Allah has told the truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of the polytheists." (3:95) Thus Quran instruct us to follow the Religion of Ibrahim. وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاتَّقُوهُ ۖ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ 6. And [We sent] Abraham, when he said to his people, "Worship Allah and fear Him. That is best for you, if you should know. (29:16) وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا 7. And mention in the Book [the story of] Abraham. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. (19:41) وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ 8. And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [ Allah ] said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." [Abraham] said, "And of my descendants?" [ Allah ] said, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers." (2:124) إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ 9. Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allah , inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah . (16:120) The Religion of Ibrahim has concepts of worshiping Allah, Prophet hood and Leader (Imam) chosen by Allah. قُلْ إِنَّنِي هَدَانِي رَبِّي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ دِينًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ 10. Say, "Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path - a correct religion - the way of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And he was not among those who associated others with Allah ." (6:161) فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا ۚ فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ 11. So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah . That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. (30:30) إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ 12. Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him]. (9:36) The Religion of Ibrahim is called as Correct Religion. It has concept of 12 Months out of those 4 are sacred. Its explanation from saying of Imam is given below: In a tradition on the authority of Jabir (ra), Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, the fifth Imam of Ahlul-Bait, interprets the above verse (sr no. 12) which is as follows: Jabir said: I asked Imam Muhammad al-Baqir about the meaning of the verse: "Verily the number of the months … (9:36).”He (as) breathed long (out of sorrow) and said: "O Jabir, The ‘year’ is my grandfather, the messenger of Allah (S), and his family are its ‘months’ who are the twelve Imams, and are … (naming the Imams one by one). They are the Proofs of Allah on His creation, and Trusties of His revelations and His knowledge. And Those of ‘four sacred who are the firm religion’ are those four who have the same name, and are ‘Ali, the Commander of Faithful (as), and my father ‘Ali Ibn al-Husayn (as), and later ‘Ali Ibn Musa (as), and ‘Ali Ibn Muhammad (as). Thus acknowledging these four is ‘the firm religion, so wrong not your souls in them’ and believe in all of them to be guided." Shi’i Reference: Kitab al-Ghaiba, by Shaikh Tusi.. Thus the religion of Ibrahim means following the 12 imams from Pure Progeny of the prophet Muhammad saw after him. سَلَامٌ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ 13. "Peace upon Abraham." (37:109) إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَىٰ آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ 14. Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds (3:33) أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ آدَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَاجْتَبَيْنَا ۚ إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَبُكِيًّا ۩ 15. Those were the ones upon whom Allah bestowed favor from among the prophets of the descendants of Adam and of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah, and of the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration and weeping. (19:58) شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ ۖ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ ۚ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ ۚ اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ 16. He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him]. (42:13) إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَٰذَا النَّبِيُّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ 17. Indeed, the most worthy of Abraham among the people are those who followed him [in submission to Allah ] and this prophet, and those who believe [in his message]. And Allah is the ally of the believers. (3:68) وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا النُّبُوَّةَ وَالْكِتَابَ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مُّهْتَدٍ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ 18. And We have already sent Noah and Abraham and placed in their descendants prophethood and scripture; and among them is he who is guided, but many of them are defiantly disobedient. (57:26) قُلْ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ 19. Say, "We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [submitting] to Him." (3:84) قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ 20. Say, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him." (2:136) The above verses (19 & 20) indicate that every Muslim believes what has been revealed to the prophet Ibrahim and other prophets should be followed for being Muslims ie follower of the correct religion.. ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ 21. Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah . (16:123) إِنَّا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ كَمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ مِن بَعْدِهِ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَارُونَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًا 22. Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book [of Psalms]. (4:163) 23. The above verses clarifies that the religion of Ibrahim has to be followed containing 12 leaders. The verse mentions exactly 12 names. 24. Hz Nuh As made an ark that saved the believers in the water storm. The prophet has said:: An interesting statement is recorded from the Holy Prophet, in both Sunni and Shi’ite books on Traditions, which is the famous Tradition of Noah’s ark. In this Tradition, Abu Dharr says, “The Prophet said, ‘My family is like Noah’s ark. Whoever uses it will be saved and whoever separates from it will drown.” (Mustadrak Halcam, vol.3, p. 151). Noting that the ark of Noah is a place of refuge and a means of salvation for when the great storm comes, this truth becomes clear that the Islamic ummah will be saved in the storm which came after the death of the Prophet through the Ahlul Bayt. 25. Hz Ibrahim as was made leader / imam of mankind by Allah swt. 26. Hz Ismael name is mentioned at third place. The third Imam is hz Hussain as from the progeny of ismael, He was martyred in Kerbela with his family. This sacrifice is termed as zibeh Azeem. 27. Hz Ishaque and yaqub were also chosen as Imams. And We gave him Isaac and Jacob in addition, and all [of them] We made righteous. And We made them leaders (Imams) guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah; and they were worshippers of Us. (21:72, 73) 28. The tribes (Asbat) are from the twelve sons of Jacob. There were twelve leaders chosen by Allah swt in their children known as bani Israel. And We divided them into twelve descendant tribes [as distinct] nations. And We inspired to Moses when his people implored him for water, "Strike with your staff the stone," and there gushed forth from it twelve springs.(7:160) And Allah had already taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We delegated from among them twelve leaders. (5:12) 29. Similarly the other prophets are mentioned in quran They include: وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَارُونَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ 30. The twelfth prophet mentioned is David. [We said], "O David, indeed We have made you a successor (khalifa) upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah ." Indeed, those who go astray from the way of Allah will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account. (38:26) The Prophet (S) said: "We (I and my family) are members of a household that Allah (SWT) has chosen for them the life of the Hereafter over the life of this world; and the members of my household (Ahlul-Bayt) shall suffer a great affliction and they shall be forcefully expelled from their homes after my death; then there will come people from the East carrying black flags, and they will ask for some good to be given to them, but they shall be refused service; as such, they will wage war and emerge victorious, and will be offered that which they desired in the first place, but they will refuse to accept it till they pass it to a man from my family (Ahlul-Bayt) appears to fill the Earth with justice as it has been filled with corruption. So whoever reaches that (time) ought to come to them even if crawling on the ice/snow since among them is the Vice-regent of Allah (Khalifatullah) al-Mahdi." References: • Sunan Ibn Majah, v2, Tradition #4082, • The History Tabari • al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11, section 1, pp 250-251 31. The above verses confirm the presence of 12 leaders / imams in the nation of Muhammad who are chosen by Allah swt and they are to be followed, 32. O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. (4:59) When the verse (4:59) was revealed, Jabir asked the Prophet (S): "We know Allah and the Prophet, but who are those vested with authority whose obedience has been conjoined to that of Allah and yourself?" The Prophet (S) said: "They are my Caliphs and the Imams of Muslims after me. The first of them is ‘Ali; then al-Hasan; then al-Husayn; then ‘Ali son of al-Husayn; then Muhammad son of ‘Ali who has been mentioned ‘al-Baqir’ in the Torah (the old testament). O Jabir! You will meet him. When you see him, convey my greetings to him. He will be succeeded by his son, Ja’far al-Sadiq (the Truthful); then Musa son of Ja’far; then ‘Ali son of Musa; then Muhammad son of ‘Ali; then ‘Ali son of Muhammad; then al-Hasan son of ‘Ali. He will be followed by his son whose name and nick name will be the same as mine. He will be Proof of Allah (Hujjatullah) on the earth, and the one spared by Allah (Baqiyyatullah) to maintain the cause of faith among mankind. He shall conquer the whole world from the east to the west. So long will he remain hidden from the eyes of his followers and friends that the belief in his leadership will remain only in those hearts which have been tested by Allah for faith.". Jabir said: "O Messenger of Allah! Will his followers benefit from his seclusion?”The Prophet said: "Yes! by Him who sent me with prophethood! They will be guided by his light, and benefit from his leadership during his seclusion, just as people benefit from the sun even though it is hidden in the clouds. O Jabir! This is from the hidden secrets of Allah and the treasured knowledge of Allah. So guard it except from the people who deserve to know.”(Kifayatul Athar, by al-Khazzaz, p53). 33. The above beliefs are 12vers shia beliefs. Do we have confirmation that the Shia are following the religion of Ibrahim as per Quran? وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِ لَإِبْرَاهِيمَ 35. And indeed, among his follower (Shia) was Abraham, (37:83) 36. Thus confirming that the 12vers Shia are the followers of the Religion of Ibrahim, that is the Religion to be followed by the Quran.

Salam. Shi'a Hadeeth On Imam Al-Mahdi (as) And His Occulation In This Section Of This Article We Shall Cover: Designation Of Imam Al-Mahdi (as) And His OccultationRecorded Reports Prior To The Occultation Of Imam Mahdi (as)Reports On The Two OccultationsThe Age Of Imam Al-Mahdi (as)The Myth Of The Sirdaab (Cellar) Read here: http://www.revisitingthesalaf.org/2015/04/imam-al-mahdi-ajf-part-v.html

Salam. In This Section This Article Will Cover: Tawatur Reports Regarding The Twelve Imams (a.s) Imam Al-Hussain (a.s) Is The Father Of Nine Imams (a.s) And The Ninth is Their Qa'im (ajf) Asl Of Abbaad, Aba Sa'eed Al-Usfuriy Hadeeth Of The Tablet and The Scroll Hadeeth Of Khidhr (a.s) Designation Of Each Imam By The Previous Imam (a.s) Appointment Of Imam Al-Qa'im Al-Mahdi (ajf) Some Other Narrations Pertaining To The Twelve Imams and Imam Al-Mahdi (ajf) As The Last Of Them Refuting Common Objections Read here: http://www.revisitingthesalaf.org/2015/03/imam-al-mahdi-ajf-part-v_20.html

Salam. Rebuttal to the deception of Ahmad al-Hassan with Shia hadith. Read here: http://shia-rafidah.com/articles/97-ahmad-13th-disciple.html#.VMQXz_6G98F

Salam. The following article shows the ignorance of Ahmad al-Hassan. A must read! Read here: http://shia-rafidah.com/articles/96-ahmad-al-hassan.html#.VLK7MMJ0y70

Salam. The Concept Of Twelve Imams (a.s) From The Earliest Shia Sources In this part of the article we will cover: The Compilation Of Hadeeth LiteratureSaheeh according to early Shia scholars:Why the methodology of early scholars is preferable?Collection of Hadeeth in books:Presentation of books to Imams (a.s):The Book Of Sulaym ibn Qays Al-HilaliAttestation of Al-Nu'mani for the Book of Sulaym:Who was Al-Nu'mani?Sulaym - A Companion Of Imam Alee (a.s)Sulaym's Book Passed On From Aban's Hands To Umar ibn UzainaNarrators of the Book of Sulaym:As'haab Ijmaa' among the narrators of the Book of Sulaym:Attesting Aban ibn Abi AyyashChains Of The Manuscripts Of The Book Of SulaymChains Of The Manuscript Of Allamah Al-Majlisi IIAttestation Of Scholars For The Book of SulaymThe Book of Sulaym Is The Alphabet Of The Shi'aObjections Against The BookObjections Of Ibn Al-GhazairiIs Ibn Al-Ghazairi's Book Of Rijal Reliable?Scholarly Discussions On ibn Al-Ghazairi's ObjectionsMiracles Performed By Other Than The Prophets' (a.s)The Imams Are Twelve And Not ThirteenSome Additional Points About The Two Above Mentioned Objections:Authenticity Of The Book Musnad Ahmad ibn HanbalThe fame of a book obviates the need for a chain for it:Narrations On The Twelve Imams (a.s) From Sulaym Through Early Shi'a ScholarsAttestation of Ahlulbayt (a.s) for the Book of Sulaym:Summary On The Authenticity Of The Book of SulaymHadeeth Of The Twelve Imams (a.s) And Imam Al-Mahdi ÚÌøá Çááøå ÝÑÌå ÇáÔÑíÝ Is The Last Of Them Read here: http://www.revisitingthesalaf.org/2014/12/imam-al-mahdi-ajf-part-iii.html

Salam.

Salam. In this article we shall be examining the concept of the twelve Imams (a.s) from the perspective of the so-called 'Ahl ul Sunnah,' using their own academic sources. It is established that both Shi'a Ithna Ashari (twelvers) and Sunnis agree that there will be twelve leaders (a.s) after the Prophet (saw), however, they do not agree on who those twelve are. Read here: http://www.revisitingthesalaf.org/2014/10/imam-al-mahdi-ajf-part-iii_25.html

Salam. The imagination of Ahmad al-Hassan, that he is an Imam [ - successor of 12th Imam] and Messenger send by 12th Imam (as) to guide and explain has failed. Read here: http://shia-rafidah.com/articles/75-successor.html#.VDLZ2Pl_t8F

(bismillah) Question asked: Sir! There is a narration reported by Abu Hashim Dawood bin Qasim al Ja'fri which gives the testimony of Khidhr (a.s) regarding the 12 Imams, and shows their names. It is present in 1- Al Kafi, Sheikh Kulaini, 1/525 2- al-Imama wa al-Tabarsi fi al-Hira, p106 3- Kitab al-Ghaybah, Sheikh Numani, page 58 4- Kamal ad-Din, Sheikh Saduq, page 313 All of these show the end of narrators like this عن أحمدبن محمد البرقی، عن أبی هاشم داودبن القاسم الجعفری،عن أبی جعفر الثانی علیه السلام However, when we consult the book al-Mahasen, 2/332-333; which is the book of Ahmad bin Mohammad bin Khalid al Barqi, we find the chain like this عنه، عن أبیه،عن أبى هاشم الجعفر یرفع الحدیث قال: قال أبوعبدالله (ع)، So, here the narration is in Mursal form. Also, we find that the names of Imams are not mentioned. What is the explanation for that? What is your view on authenticity of the present copy of al-Mahasen? Concise answer Khalid bin Ahmad al-Barqi has reported a narration in his al-Mahasen almost with the same chain of transmission mentioned in the question. Great scholars like Sheikh Kulayni, Saduq and Nu'mani have reported this narration from al-Barqi. However, there is a slight difference between the narration they have reported and the one al-Barqi has recorded in his book in terms of the chain of transmission of the narration and its content. There is not much detail about the narration in Barqi's al-Mahasen. In order for us to examine this issue, we must know the author of the book and the book itself better. Thereupon, we would be able to study the chain of the transmission and the content of the narrations in al-Mahasen as well as its difference from the narrations found in other books. Conclusively, we can come to the conclusion that this narration which has been reported in different books has an identical content. The only difference is that the narration in some sources have been partially omitted but the chain of transmission is almost the same. Read the detailed answer. Detailed Answer Khalid bin Ahmad al-Baraqi has reported a narration in his al-Mahasen. We will provide details about the writer of the book and then we will verify the authenticity of the narration in question. 1) Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid al-Barqi Sheikh Abu Ja'far, Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid bin Abdu Rahman bin Muhammad bin Ali al-Barqi is one of Shiite's great jurisprudents and narrators. He is considered to be amongst the friends of the infallible Imams (A.S). Ahmad was born in a village known "Barq Rood" of Qom. He is originally from Kufa. His great grandfather, Muhammad bin Ali is one of the companions of Zaid bin Ali bin Hussein (A.S) who rose up to fight against the injustice and oppression of Bani Umayyah and he was martyred in Yusuf bin Umar's prison. While still a child, Khalid, Ahmad's grandfather, was forced to leave Kufa for Qom along with his father Abdur Rahman bin Muhammad.[1] Back then the city of Qom provided a safe haven for Shiites. That was why many great Shiite narrators and scholars were living in it. One of the important incidents that took place during the lifetime of Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Barqi was that Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa Ash'ari, the head of the city of Qom and one of the great Shiite narrators, sacked Ahmad bin Muhammad from the city of Qom because according to Ahmad Ash'ari, al-Barqi had narrated mursal (disconnected) traditions or narrations which he considered to be poor. However, after sometimes, Ahmad Ash'ari regretted his action and returned al-Barqi to Qom apologizing him. It has been reported that upon al-Barqi's death, Ahmad Ash'ari attended his funeral with barren foot so as to make up for the disrespect he had shown to him.[2] Finally, Ahmad al-Barqi died in the year 274 or 280 A.H.[3] leaving Shia a very valuable Hadith legacy. 2) Bibliography of "Al-Mahasen" One of the oldest hadith books ever written by Shiite scholars is al-Mahasen by Ahmad al-Barqi who is known to be a trustworthy scholar and one of the great hadith narrators. Sheikh Saduq, Kulayni, and Sheikh Tusi have relied on him and reported many of the narrations transmitted by him. Al-Mahasen consists of eleven chapters or headings: 1. "Al-Qaraeen": This chapter includes narrations regarding matters consisting of three things or four to ten things. For instance, "three things which saves a person from destruction or three things which causes destruction…" As well, the significance of speaking good of others and being benevolent to others has been discussed with traditions reported from the Holy Prophet (S) and his pure Ahlul-Bayt (A.S). 2. "Thawab al-A'maal": This is another title regarding good deeds and their rewards such as the reward of positive thinking about God and love of the Household of the Holy Prophet (S) as well as the reward of fasting etc. 3. "Iqab al-A'mal": This chapter discusses narrations regarding bad or abominable deeds such the punishment of a person who downgrades prayers or one who does not pay his Zakat on time or he who belittles a mumeen (believer). 4. "Al-Safwah wa al-Noor wa al-Rahmah": This section includes narrations about the creation of a believer, status and position of the Messenger of God and his household as well as Shiites, friendship and enmity for the sake of God. 5. "Masabih al-Zulm": This chapter deals with narrations about reason, knowledge, guidance, God's right on people, innovation, analogy and opinion, divine authorities over people. 6. "Al-'Ilalal": This chapter includes 130 narrations regarding various subjects including the differences of the companions of the Holy Prophet about wiping the feet, the worldly and heavenly matters, and how one should deal with both of them, the characteristics of the Quran and its commentary and reasons for certain rules. 7. "Al-Safar": Includes narrations about journeying and relevant issues such as the right of a fellow traveler, journey expenses and manners of travelling. 8. "Al-Ma'aakel": This title deals with narrations regarding edibles, drinks and matters related to them. 9. "Al-Maa": Includes narrations about water and rules relating to them. 10. "Al-Manafe'": Includes narrations about Istikhara, seeking advice and drawing lots. 11. "Al-Marafeq": Includes narrations about the causes and means of life, house, vehicle, and cleanness. As is observed, the titles of these chapters mostly relate to religious beliefs, epistemic issues and matters related to people's ordinary life. 3) A Study of Hazrat Khidhr's Testimony on the Imamate of Infallible Imams (A.S) Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Barqi has been the person to report a narration in "Al-Mahasen". The same narration has been narrated more perfectly by Sheikh Kulayni in "Al-Kafi" and we will cite Al-Kafi because we need the text to understand the narration thoroughly: «عن عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْبَرْقِیِّ عَنْ أَبِی هَاشِمٍ دَاوُدَ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ الْجَعْفَرِیِّ عَنْ أَبِی جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِی‏....» The translation of the narration is as such: "Imam Jawad (A.S) said: Ameerul Mu'mineen (peace be upon him), once was heading towards Al Mesjedul Haram accompanied by Al Hasan Bin Ali and Salman Al Farsi (may Allah be pleased with them), Ameerul Mu'mineen (peace be upon him) was leaning on the hand of selman, they entered the mosque, he took a seat in its hall, a man of an elegant guise and handsome face eame closer, bid Ameerul Muamineen As Salam, he (peace be upon him) bid him back As Salam; the man sat and started talking: “O’ Ameerul Mu'mineen; I ask you about three matters, if you give me a wrong answer about them, I shall know that these people are following you to their misfortune both in this world and in the hereafter, and if you give me a correct answer I shall know that you and them will be destined to the same fate. Ameerul Mu'mineen (peace be upon him) said: “Ask whatever you like?” The man said: “Tell me where man’s soul goes when he sleeps? And how does man remember and forget? And how do man’s offspring look like their uncles (both from his father and mother)? Ameerul Mu'mineen (peace be upon him) turned to Abi Muhammad Al Hasan and said: “O’ Aba Muhammad! Answer his question!” And Imam Hasan (A.s) answered all the three questions. Thereupon the man said: “I testify that there is no God but Allah and I shall remain faithful to this testimony; and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and I shall remain faithful to this testimony; and I testify that you are the guardian on his will who will maintain his argument to people (pointing his finger to Ameerul Muamineen (peace be upon him)) and I shall remain faithful to this testimony; and I testify that you are the guardian of Ali’s will who will maintain his argument to people (pointing his finger to Al Hasan (peace be upon him)); and I testify that Al Hosain Bin Ali is the guardian on your father’s will who will maintain his argument to people; I testify that Ali Bin Al Hosain is Al Hosain’ds successor who will maintain his leadership; I testify that Muhammad Bin Ali is Ali Bin Al Hosain’s successor who will maintain his leadership, I testify that Ja'afar Bin Muhammad is Muhammad Bin Ali's successor who will preserve his leadership; I testify that Musa Bin Ja'afar is Ja'afar Bin Muhammad's successor, who will preserve his leadership ; I testify that Ali Bin Musa is Musa Bin Ja'afar's successor, who will maintain his leadership; I testify that that Muhammad Bin Ali is Ali Bin Musa's successor who will maintain his leadership; I testify that Ali Bin Muhammad is Muhammad Bin Ali's successor, who will preserve his leadership; I testify that Al Hasan Bin Ali is Ali Bin Muhammad's successor, who will maintain his leadership; and I testify that one of Al Hasan Bin Ali's sons whose name and nickname are not to be revealed till he is granted leaved to show himself thus to fill the earth with justice as it was filled with injustice, and I bid you Al Salam O’ Ameerul Muamineen s invoking on you Allah's mercy and grace; then he stood to his feed and was gone. Amerul Mu'mineen (peace be upon him): O’ Abo Muhammad! Follow him and check up where does he head; Al Hasan (peace be upon him) went after him, later he said: "the minute he put a foot off the mosque, he was gone, I went back to Ameerul Mu'mineen (peace be upon him) and informed him of that; he said: O’ Aba Muhammad, Do you know him? I said: "Allah his Messenger and Ameerul Muamineen better know." He (peace be upon him) said: He is Al Khidhr (peace be upon him).[4] As we see, this narration has been reported by Sheikh Kulayni (ra) from al-Barqi. Now we shall refer to al-Barq's al-Mahasen to see whether or not this narration has been reported at all in it. If it has, is it with the same wording and content? Al-Barqi has reported the narration in al-Mahasen as such: «عَنْهُ (البرقی) عَنْ أَبِیهِ عَنْ أَبِی هَاشِمٍ الْجَعْفَرِیِّ رَفَعَ الْحَدِیثَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ(ع) دَخَلَ أَمِیرُ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ ص الْمَسْجِدَ وَ مَعَهُ الْحَسَنُ(ع) فَدَخَلَ رَجُل‏...»[5] The chain of transmission which he mentions is slightly different from the one mentioned by al-Kafi. It has mentioned in al-Barqi's narration that he narrated from his father and he from Abu Hashim and he from Imam Sadiq (A.S) without mentioning the names of the transmitters who were connected to Imam Sadiq (A.S). Thus, the hadith is Marfoo' [lit. elevated][6]. However, al-Kafi's chain of transmission is different. Therein, al-Barqi narrates from Abu Hashim Ja'fari and he from Imam Jawad (A.S). Therefore, in Al-Mahasen, al-Barqi has taken this narration from his father whereas in Al-Kafi no mention has been made of his father. Moreover, in al-Barqi's book, the narration has been reported from Imam Sadiq (A.S) whereas in Al-Kafi, it has been reported from Imam Jawad (A.S). In other words, scholars like Kulayni in his Al-Kafi, Sheikh Saduq in Kamal al-Deen[7] and Ilal al-Sharaye'[8] and Nu'mani in Al-Ghaibah[9] have reported this narration with various chains from al-Barqi. The narration is the same except for the last part of the chain of transmission i.e. from al-Barqi onward, the chain is similar to the chain of the transmission of hadith in Al-Kafi; it is not like the one in al-Barqi's al-Mahasen. However, all these books have taken the narration from its author! The report in al-Mahasen is also slightly different from the one al-Kafi. One is shorter than the other. It seems as though Al-Barqi has shortened the report in his book and late Kulayni has shorted it from another angle. The narration mentioned in Al-Kafi lacks the three questions which Hazrat Khidr asked Imam Hasan Mujtaba (A.S). This is quite clear from the explanation provided by Kulayni. On the other hand, we see that al-Barqi has given adequate attention to the answers given by Imam Hasan Mujtaba to the questions. Instead, the testimonies to the imamate of each of the infallible imam (A.S) have been omitted and it has mentioned after Khidr's testimony to the imamate of Imam Hussein (A.S) as such: "Khidr testified to the imamate of other imams to the last of them." Although Kulayni has reported this narration from al-Barqi and the clause "Khidr testified to the imamate of other imams" has not been mentioned in Al-Barqi's book, it is quite clear that this passage has been omitted from Al-Barqi's book for the sake of brevity. The same is true with al-Kafi's version of narration. He has not mentioned the three answers for the sake of brevity. For your confidence in the foregoing explanation, you can refer to Sheikh Saduq's "Kamal al-Deen wa Tamam al-Ne'mah"[10] or "'Ilal al-Sharaye'"[11]. Late Sheikh Saduq attached great importance to these narrations and it is for the same reason that he has reported the entire narration in which the answer to Khidr's three questions as well as Khidr's testimony to the imamate of each of the infallible imams have been mentioned. At the end, in order to complete the narration, the answers which Imam Hasan Mujtaba (A.S) gave to Hazrat Khidr's three questions and which have been reported in Sheikh Saduq's book are mentioned below: Imam Hasan (A.S) said: “As to where does man’s soul go when he sleeps; I say that his soul will hang to the wind, the wind hangs to the air until man starts to wake up, if Allah the Almighty gave leave to man to retain that soul; that soul will pull the wind which will- in turn-pull the air, thus the body will retain the soul; but if Allah the Almighty did not give leave to the soul to return to the body, the air will pull the wind which will pull the soul away, thus its owner will never regain it ever. As to how does man remember and forget: know that man’s heart (mind) is situated in a cavity with a lid covering it, if that man prays to Muhammad and his house hold and progeny a perfect prayer that lid will be removed from the cavity to let get into the heart thus man will remember what he has forgotten, if man does not pray to Muhammad and his household and progeny, or he offers an imperfect prayer, that lid will lighten over the cavity never giving space to light to get in, thus man will forget what he knows. As to the newborn and the similarity it carries to it uncles, I say: if man makes love to his woman maintaining his heart in tranquility, his nerves in calm order and his body in quietness, his sperm will be situated at the bottom of the womb, and the newborn will come into life carrying resemblance to his father and mother. If man makes love to his woman with perplexed heart, anxious nerves and troubled body, tribulation will be fall his sperm and the throw it either on a nerve that resembles the father’s brother, thus the newborn will carry resemblance to them, or it will throw the sperm on a nerve that resembles the mother’s brothers, thus the newborn will carry resemblance to them.[12] [1] Najashi, Ahmad bin Ali, Fehrest Asmaa Musannefi al-Shi'ah (Rijal Najashi), p. 76, Islamic Publications Office, Qom, sixth edition, 1365 (solar calendar).[2] Allamah Hilli, Hasan bin Yusuf, Khulasat al-Aqwal, p. 15, Manshurat al-Matba'ah al-Haideriyah, Najaf Ashraf, second edition, 1381 A.H.[3] Rijal Najashi, p. 76.[4] Kulayni, Muhammad bin Ya'qub, Al-Kafi, researched and corrected, Ghaffari, Ali Akbar, Akhundi, Muhammad, vol.1, p. 525, Dar al-Kotob al-Islamiyyah, Tehran, fourth edition, 1407 A.H.[5] Al-Barqi, Abu Ja'far Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Khalid, al-Mahasen, researched and corrected: Muhaddith, Jalaluddin, vol.2, p. 332, Dar al-Kotob al-Islamiyyah, Qom, second edition, 1371 A.H.[6] Hadith Marfoo' (lit. elevated) is a hadith attributed to the Prophet (PBUH) or Imams but it does not have a continuous chain of transmitters up to him. Thus, it is possible that one or many transmitters are omitted in the middle of the chain. This is done with the notification that some transmitters have been omitted. Hariri, Muhammad Yusuf, Glossary of Hadith Terms, p. 121, Nashr Hijrat, Qom, 1381.[7] Sheikh Saduq, Kamal al-Deen wa Tamam al-Ne'mah, researched and corrected by Ghaffari, Ali Akbar, vol.1, p. 313, Dar al-Kotob al-Islamiyyah, Tehran, second edition, 1395 A.H.[8] Sheikh Saduq, Ilal al-Sharaye', vol.1, p. 96, Dawari Book Stall, Qom, first edition, 1385 (solar).[9] Ibn Abi Zainab (Nu'mani), Muhammad bin Ibrahim, researched an edited, Ghaffari, Ali Akbar, al-Ghaibah, p. 58, Saduq Publications, Tehran, first edition, 1397 A.H.[10] Kamal al-Deen, vol.1, p. 313.[11] Ilal al-Sharaye', voll.1, p. 96.[12] Kamal al-Deen, vol.1, p. 313. Source: http://www.islamquest.net/en/archive/question/en22087 (wasalam)

I was listening to one of the lectures of Ammar Nakshawani, I already knew that the Messenger of Allah had mentioned the 12 imams in hadiths of al Kaafi and so on, but he said the biggest proof is that we still have the notes of one of the students of Ja'far al Sadiq (as) , named Abu Sa'eed al Asfari which is with us until today, which was written in the time of our 6th Imam which mentions the names of these Imams from Imam Ali (as) to Imam al Mahdi (as). Could someone give me the details and where I can find the narration? Also, he mentions that the Zaydis in the time of Imam al Hadi (as) would say Imam al Hadi (as) is the 10th Imam of the rafidha (believe it or not that name has been around since then)- I think it was Al Qasim ibn Ibrahim that was the Zaydi Imam who would say that. This shows that these men were considered the Imams, it wasn't an innovation later on. Could someone tell me where I can find information about this? And he also speaks about a companion of Imam al Hadi (as) who was writing a book about Imam al Mehdi (as) before our Imam was born which would be another magnificent proof. Could someone also refer me to where Muahmmad Baqir al Sadr (ra) wrote about his logical explanation of the Imams. These seem like some fundamental points I do not know about and they would be essential to show someone outside the school of Ahlul Bayt to give them proof. These points are covered from 41 minutes 30 seconds onwards. The whole video is brilliant in showing our Imams were reffered to in Sahih Bukhari, Muslim and many others but 41:30 onwards is what I would like to look at in detail. Enlighten Me ws

Imamum Mubeen 1- O Muhammad, We have sent Revelation to you just as We sent it to Noah and other Prophets after him. We also sent Revelation to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob, and the Descendants of Jacob, and Jesus and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and We gave the Psalms to David (Quran 4:163) The Children of Israel are the Descendents of Jacob the following verse states that was revealed to them: 2- Allah had bound the Children of Israel by a solemn covenant, and appointed Twelve leaders from among them (5:12). The above verse at sr no. 1, clearly mentions that Allah has revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) like He has revealed to the other Prophets that there will be Twelve leaders (Imams) in his nation. This proof has been kept in this verse that the names used in this verse (for Prophets) are exactly 12. These are given below: 1- Noah, 2- Abraham, 3- Ishmael, 4- Isaac, 5- Jacob, 6-(The Tribes) The descendents of Jacob, 7- Jesus, 8- Job, 9- Jonah, 10- Aaron, 11- Solomon, 12- David 3- Now from the Quran we get the following verses: [2:124] Recall to mind that when his Lord put Abraham to test in certain things and he fulfilled all of them, He said, "I am going to make you the leader (Imam) of mankind." Abraham humbly asked, "Does this promise apply to my descendants also?" He replied, "My promise does not apply to the transgressors." Thus Hz Ibrahim as was made Imam and from his descendents there are Imams who are not unjust or wrong doers. 4- [17:71] Just imagine the scene on the Day, when We will summon every community with its leader (Imam): then those, who will be given their records in their right hands, will read their records and will not be wronged in the least; [17:72] and whoever is blind in this [life] will be blind in the Hereafter and more astray in way. So every group will be called with his Imam. And whoever is blind to identify that Imam in this life he will be failed to identify him [imam] in the hereafter. 5- Tradition about 12 Imams: Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from abu Sa‘id al-‘Usfuriy from ‘Amr aaand ibn Thabit from abu Hamza who has said the following: "I heard Ali ibn al-Husayn say, ‘Allah created Muhammad , Ali and the eleven Imams from his descendants out of the light of His greatness. He then placed them as figures in the brightness of His light where they worshipped Him before the creation of the creatures. They would speak of the Glory of Allah and of His Holiness. They are the Imams from descendants of the Messenger of Allah." (Al-Kafi, Ch 126, Part 4, The Book about People with Divine Authority, H 6) 6- Now keeping in view the above verse similar was also revealed to the Prophet (pbuh & hf): [Quran 36:12] and We have deposited everything in Imamum Mubeen. Aqa Mahdi Puya mentions: “Imam Muhammad bin Ali al Baqir said that when this verse was revealed, Abu Bakr and Umar asked the Holy Prophet: "Is imamum mubin the Tawrat given to Musa?" The answer was: "No". Again they asked: "Is it Injil, given to Isa?" The answer was: "No". Then they asked: "Is it the Holy Quran?" "No", was the answer. Then turning towards Ali ibn abi Talib, the Holy Prophet said: "Verily this is the Imam in whom Allah has deposited the knowledge of everything." Then, addressing the people present there, the Holy Prophet said: "O people, there is no branch of knowledge Allah did not teach me and I have not conveyed it to Ali. Verily Allah has given me wisdom and I have given it to Ali. I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate." Whatever man does is recorded. The record of the deeds of every individual, and the records pertaining to creation and legislation (which includes knowledge of everything that has been created since the beginning, its progress and the laws governing it) have been made known to "the manifesting Imam", therefore he is the repository of all knowledge. The manifesting Imams have been clearly identified in Ahzab: 33; Waqi-ah: 77 to 79; Ali Imran: 61 and hadith al thaqalayn (see page 6). The well known and the most authentic declaration of the Holy Prophet (Hadith Thaqalayn) is the confirming interpretation of these verses. The holy book and the holy Ahl ul Bayt are inseparably identified with each other from their origin, down in the arc of descent, and up again in their ascent (return) to the presence of themaliki yawmid din. It makes no difference whether the term imamum mabin, in verse 12 of Ya Sin, is interpreted either as the Ahl ul Bayt or as the Quran, for these two are neither separate from each other nor will ever be separable, because one reflects the other. And everything we have confined into a clear expressive guide. (YA SIN:12) The revealed book, in our hands, does not speak, and is therefore mute (samit); whereas the Ahl ul Bayt by being able to speak are eloquent (natiq). This conclusion is based upon the Quran and the wording of the Holy Prophet. 7- Now we need to make a comparison of the verses for the Children of Israel and this nation in the light of verse given at sr. no. 1 which necessitates the 12 leaders (Imams) in the nation of Muhammad (pbuh &hf): Allah had bound the Children of Israel by a solemn covenant, and appointed Twelve leaders from among them [Quran 5:12]. Surely We give life to the dead, and We write down what they have sent before and their footprints, and We have deposited everything in Imamum Mubeen. [Quran 36:12] Similarly both these verse mentioning the 12 leaders and 12 Imams [Imamum Mubeen] have been placed at sr no. 12. Also the title of the second Sura is Sura Yasin which is the name of the Prophet (pbuh&hf). Thus it confirms the appointment of 12 Imams in the nation of Muhammad from his progeny. 8- Evidence of 12 Imams from Quran: If we look in Quran where Allah swt has mentioned the word Imam then following is revealed: 1-2:124, 2-15:79, 3-9:123, 4-11:17, 5-17:71, 6-21:73, 7-25:74, 8-28:5, 9-28:41, 10-32:24, 11-36:12, 12-46:12 The word Imam has been used exactly 12 times in Quran in confirmation of all Hadiths mentioning 12 Imams to be followed. The last time where this word has been used 12th time indicates that it has been used in verse no. 12 again. Thus it confirms that 12 Imams are appointed by Allah swt and believers should follow them.

This is in reference to the question that: Where did the twelve Imams (as) come from and why should the number of Imams be twelve and twelve only? 1- As a matter of fact, the answer is right inside the Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim. There are numerous Sunni collections of traditions which all recorded the following authentic tradition from the Prophet (PBUH&HF). Here, for the sake of brevity, I only quote from Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. (i)- In Sahih al-Bukhari (Arabic-English version), the tradition is as follows: Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 9.329 Narrated Jabir Ibn Samura: I heard the Prophet saying, "There will be twelve commanders (Amir)." He then said a sentence which I did not hear. My father said, the Prophet added, "All of them will be from Quraish." (ii) In Musnad Ahmad, the tradition is as follows: The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "There shall be twelve Caliphs for this community, all of them from Quraish." Reference: Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v5, p106 (iii) In Sahih Muslim, the traditions are as follows: Narrated Jabir Ibn Samura: The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "The matter (life) will not end, until it is passed by twelve Caliphs." He then whispered a sentence. I asked my father what the Prophet said. He said, the Prophet added: "All of them will be from Quraish." Sunni references: - Sahih Muslim, Arabic version, Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, v3, p1452, Tradition #5 - Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraish and the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraish), v3, p1009, Tradition #4477 (iv) Again from Sahih Muslim: The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "The affairs of people will continue to be conducted (well) as long as they are governed by the twelve men." Sunni references: - Sahih Muslim, Arabic version, Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, v3, p1453, Tradition #6 - Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraish and the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraish), v3, p1010, Tradition #4478 (v) Also: The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "Islam will continue to be triumphant until there have been twelve Caliphs." Sunni references: - Sahih Muslim, Arabic version, Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, v3, p1453, Tradition #7 - Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraish and the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraish), v3, p1010, Tradition #4480 (vi) Again: The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "The Islamic religion will continue until the Hour (day of resurrection), having twelve Caliphs for you, all of them will be from Quraish." Sunni references: - Sahih Muslim, Arabic version, Kitab al-Imaara, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, v3, p1453, Tradition #10 - Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter DCCLIV (titled: The People are subservient to the Quraish and the Caliphate is the Right of the Quraish), v3, p1010, Tradition #4483 (vii) More Sunni references of similar traditions: - Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v4, p501 - Sunan Abu Dawud, v2, p421 (three traditions). - Others such as al-Tiyalasi, Ibn al-Athir, etc. (viii) Also in another wording, the Messenger of Allah uses the word "Imam" instead of "Caliph". It is widely narrated that: The Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "The Imams are from Quraish" Sunni references: - al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p149 - Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal - Sahih al-Nisa'i, from Anas Ibn Malik - Sunan, by al-Baihaqi - al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqa, by Ibn Hajar al-Haithami, Ch. 11, section 2, p287 2- As you may know, the Followers of the Members of the House of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) refer to these 12 Caliphs as of their 12 Imams starting with Imam Ali (as) and ending with Imam Mahdi (as) the leader of our time. There are Caliphs because Allah made them Caliphs (They are vice-regents of Allah on the earth). With the passage of time and through historical events, we know that by the above traditions the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) meant the twelve Imams from his Ahlul-Bait who are the descendants of the Prophet since we have no other 12 pure candidates in the history of Islam upon whose righteousness all Muslims agree. It is interesting to know that even the enemies of Shi'a have NOT been able to find any fault in the virtues of the twelve Imams of Shi'a. Moreover these twelve Imams came one after another without any gap. 3- It is now clear that the only way to interpret the previously mentioned traditions which are narrated by al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi, al-Hakim, and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal is to accept that it refers to the Twelve Imams from the Prophet's Ahlul-Bait, because they were, in their times, the most knowledgeable, the most illustrious, the most god-fearing, the most pious, the best in personal virtues, and the most honored before Allah; and their knowledge was derived from their ancestor (the Prophet) through their fathers. These are the Ahlul-Bait whose sinlessness, flawlessness, and purity is confirmed by the holy Quran (the last sentence of verse 33:33). 4- Also the above mentioned traditions of the Prophet which are considered to be authentic by the Sunnis, proves beyond doubt that the concept of "Twelve Imams" can NOT be a Twelver Shi'ites concoction! It is amazing that despite the acknowledgment of al-Bukhari and Muslim and other prominent Sunni scholars about the twelve Imams, the Sunnis always stop at the four Caliphs! More interestingly, there are Sunni reports in which the Messenger of Allah named these twelve members of his Ahlul-Bait one by one starting with Imam Ali (as) and ending with Imam al-Mahdi (as). (see Yanabi' al-Mawadda, by al-Qunduzi al-Hanafi). 5- There is an interesting tradition in Sahih al-Bukhari as well as Sahih Muslim, in which the Prophet (PBUH&HF) said the following: Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 9.422 Narrated Abu Sa'id al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a hole of a mastigure (lizard), you would follow them." We said, "O Allah's Apostle! (Do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?" He said, "Whom else?" As the above tradition in Sahih al-Bukhari confirms, the Prophet stated that the history of the Children of Israel will be repeated for Muslims. In fact, Quran has mentioned the stories of the Children of Israel to give us a way to understand the true history of Islam itself. 6-There are many striking similarities in this regard written in Quran including the similarities of the leaders and the similarities of the people. Few of them are given here. Allah, to whom belong Might and Majesty, said: "Surely Allah aforetime took a covenant from the Children of Israel and We appointed twelve leaders among them" (Quran 5:12) - Who are those twelve leaders among the Children of Muhammad (PBUH&HF)? 7- Allah, Exalted, also said: "And when Moses prayed for water for his (thirsty) people; We said: 'Strike the rock with your staff.' Then from there surged forth twelve springs so that each group knew its own place to drink." (Quran 2:60). - Who are those twelve springs (streams) of knowledge who quench the thirst of Muslims to the end of the world so that each generation is utilized with one of them? He, Exalted He is, also said: 8- "We divided them into twelve nations. We directed Moses by revelation when his (thirsty) people asked him for water: 'Strike the rock with your staff;' out of it there gushed forth twelve springs so that each group knew its own place for water. We gave them the shade of clouds and sent down to them manna and quails (saying): 'Eat of the good things We have provided for you,' (but they rebelled.) To Us they did no harm but they harmed their own souls." (Quran 7:160). Verily those who did not follow those twelve leaders, harmed non but themselves. The above verse suggests that the nation of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) in the span of history (after his demise till the day of judgment) are divided into 12 intervals of time which coincides with one Imam who is assigned as leader for them. 9- In the next verse Allah said: "And when it was said unto them: 'Dwell in this Town and eat therein as you wish, and say Repentance, and enter the Gate (of the city) in a posture of humility, in order that We forgive you your sins and increase (the portion of) those who do good.'" (Quran 7:161) or: "And when We said: 'Enter this Town and eat of the plenty therein as you wish; but enter the Gate (of the City) with humility in posture and in words so that We forgive you your sins and increase (the portion of) those who do good.'" (Quran 2:58). The Gate in the above verses has a striking similarity with one of the attributes of Imam Ali (as) mentioned by our Prophet (PBUH&HF) that is: "The Gate of the City of Knowledge." The Messenger of Allah said: "I am the City of Knowledge, and Ali is its Gate. So whoever intends to enter the City and the Wisdom, he should enter from its Gate." Sunni references: - Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, pp 201,637 - al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, pp 126-127,226 - Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p635, Tradition #1081 and many more... 10- Furthermore the following Prophetic tradition gives the utmost similarity with the above two verses: The Messenger of Allah said: "My Ahlul-Bait are like the Gate of Repentance of the Children of Israel; whoever entered therein was forgiven." Sunni References: - Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haithami, v9, p168. - al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani, Tradition #18 - Arba'in, by al-Nabahani, p216 - A fairly similar tradition reported by al-Darqunti and by Ibn Hajar al-Haithami in al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqa, Ch. 9, section 2, p193, in which the Prophet (PBUH&HF) said: "Ali is the Gate of Repentance, whoever entered therein was a believer and whoever went out was an unbeliever." 11- Also Allah (SWT) stated in Quran: Lo! The number of the months with Allah is TWELVE which is Allah's ordinance when He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. That is the firm religion. So wrong not your souls in them. (Quran9:36) In the Sira of Ibn Hisham, there is an extra sentence of the Messenger of Allah which is, in fact, the verse of Quran. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) said: "'Postponement of a sacred month is only an excess of disbelief whereby those who disbelieve are misled; they allow it one year and forbid it another year that they may make up the number of months which God has hallowed so that they permit what God has forbidden (Quran 9:37), and forbid what God has allowed. Time has completed its cycle and is as it was on the day that God created the heavens and the earth. The number of months with God is twelve. Four of them are sacred." Sunni references: - Sira, by Ibn Hisham at the end of Chapter of "Farewell Pilgrimage", p968 - The Life of Muhammad (English translation of Sira Ibn Hisham), Translated into English by A. Guillaume, 1955 Edition, London, p651 12- In a tradition on the authority of Jabir (ra), Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, the fifth Imam of Ahlul-Bait, interprets the above verse which is as follows: Jabir said: I asked Imam Muhammad al-Baqir about the meaning of the verse: "Verily the number of the months … (9:36)." He (as) breathed long (out of sorrow) and said: "O Jabir, The 'year' is my grandfather, the messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF), and his family are its 'months' who are the twelve Imams, and are … (naming the Imams one by one). They are the Proofs of Allah on His creation, and Trusties of His revelations and His knowledge. And Those of 'four sacred who are the firm religion' are those four who have the same name, and are Ali, the Commander of Faithful (as), and my father Ali Ibn al-Husain (as), and later Ali Ibn Musa (as), and Ali Ibn Muhammad (as). Thus acknowledging these four is 'the firm religion, so wrong not your souls in them' and believe in all of them to be guided." Shi'i reference: Kitab al-Ghaiba, by Shaikh Tusi. 13- The 12 Imams are from Ahll al bayat a.s. These are not separated from Quran. If, we carry out further research to see where this word (Imam), then the following facts are revealed: Imam The total count of the verse which contain the word (Imam) is 12 where this word has been used exactly 12 times in the honor of these Imams from Ahl al bayat. A.S.The same resemblance has been defined in the table given in link shown below: http://www.scribd.com/doc/139724408/Imams-Table Thus it is proven that these 12 Imams from Ahl al bayat are kept pure and sinless. They are never separated from Quran. We have been ordered by the Prophet to follow Ahl Albayat (Masoomeen a.s.) including these 12 Imams in order to keep ourselves on Sirat e mustaqeem thus avoiding astray.

Salam, I have come across plenty of narrations from the Imams and Ahl-e-Bayt on the mourning of Imam Hussein(AS) but none of them explicitly mention the imams hitting themselves with swords or chains. I would appreciate it if anyone can quote a suitable reference that whether they did or did not do this. Thanks