Multiple traditions and reports from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) are recorded in authentic and reliable sources, where the Seal of the Prophets emphasizes the Imamate of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) after his passing. Below are some of the most prominent ones:
The Hadith of Light (Hadith al-Nur)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) says in the Hadith of “Light”:
“I and Ali bin Abi Talib were a single light in the presence of God fourteen thousand years before the creation of Adam (peace be upon him). When God created Adam, He divided that light into two parts: one part was me and the other part was Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) .”
He also said:
“When God created Adam, He placed that light in his loins. This light remained one until it split in the loins of Abdul-Muttalib into two pieces: Prophethood in me and the Caliphate in Ali.”
In another narration, it is stated:
“…until He split it in two, placing half in the loins of Abdullah and half in the loins of Abu Talib, Thus making me the Prophet and Ali the Successor.” [1]
The Hadith of Companionship with the Prophet in Paradise
When the holy verse, “And warn your closest kindred” [2] was revealed, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) gathered thirty of his kinsmen three times to for meals. He then asked them: “Who among you will guarantee my debt and my promises on my behalf and become my successor and my companion in Paradise?” Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“I, O Messenger of Allah.”
The Prophet said: “You.”
Al-Tha’labi narrated in his commentary :
“On all three occasions, everyone remained silent except for Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).” [3]
The Hadith of Succession
It is narrated from Salman that he asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family):
“Who is your successor?”
The Prophet asked:
“O Salman, who was the successor of Moses?”
I replied:
“Joshua bin Nun.”
Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
“Indeed, my successor and heir, the one who will settle my debts and fulfill my promises, is Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him).” [4]
The Hadith: “Every Prophet has a Successor and an Heir”
It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) that he said:
“Every Prophet has a successor and an heir, and indeed my successor and heir is Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be upon him).” [5]
The Hadith of Position (Hadith al-Manzilah)
It has been narrated through several paths that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) departed from Medina toward Tabuk, he appointed Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) as his deputy over Medina and his family.
He then turned to Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) and said:
“Are you not pleased that your position to me is as the position of Aaron to Moses, except that there is no Prophet after me?” [6]
The Hadith of Brotherhood
It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) established bonds of brotherhood among the people, leaving Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) until he was the last person remaining without a designated brother.
Then he said:
“O Messenger of Allah! You have established brotherhood among your companions but left me?”
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) replied:
“I have kept you for myself; you are my brother and I am your brother. If anyone mentions you, say: ‘I am the servant of God and the brother of His Messenger.’ No one shall claim this after you except a liar. By Him who sent me with the truth, I chose you only for myself. Your position to me is as the position of Aaron to Moses, except that there is no Prophet after me; you are my brother and my successor.” [7]
The Hadith: “Ali is from me and I am from Ali”
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
“Indeed, Ali is from me and I am his guardian , and he is the guardian of all believers after me. No one can fulfill my duties or settle my obligations except myself or Ali.” [8]
The Hadith of the Twelve Successors
Narrated from Jabir and Ibn Uyaynah, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
“The affairs of the people will continue as long as twelve successors, all of whom are from Quraysh, have authority over them.”
Expanding this Alawi path, in another narration, it is stated: “Indeed, the religion of Islam will always remain mighty until twelve successors—all from Quraysh—have passed.” [9]
In Sahih Muslim, it is recorded:
“Islam will remain upright until the Hour (Day of Judgment) is established and there have been twelve successors over you, all of whom are from Quraysh.” [10]
[1] Bihar al-Anwar: Vol. 35, p. 24.
[2] Surah Ash-Shu’ara: Verse 214.
[3] Nahj al-Haqq: p. 213.
[4] Al-Tara’if: p. 22.
[5] Bihar al-Anwar: Vol. 38, p. 148.
[6] Nahj al-Haqq: p. 216.
[7] Nahj al-Haqq: p. 218.
[8] Nahj al-Haqq: p. 218.
[9] Nahj al-Haqq: p. 230.
[10] Sahih Muslim: Vol. 6, p. 4.
