Successor

Historical Context of Succession

The historical narrative of succession in Islam dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. The immediate aftermath saw a schism that would lay the groundwork for the Shia-Sunni divide. While Sunnis recognized the first four caliphs as rightful leaders, Shia Muslims argue that leadership should have remained within the Prophet’s family—specifically, through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib. This belief is not merely rooted in familial ties; it is intertwined with theological dimensions that assert the Imamate as a divinely ordained institution.

The Role of the Imamate