The Twelve Imams

Question

The Shi‘i scholars state that the twelve imams are appointed by God, whereas the imams of the others are those upon whom the name “imam” was conferred by the servants [of God]. But since it was not possible to manage with only three, one more was included, and thus the number of imams became four. In every age the election of an imam takes place. That is why the three are called “ridwan Allah ‘alayhim ajma‘in” (رضوان الله عليهم أجمعين) and the fourth “karrama Allahu wajhah” (كرم الله وجهه).

Answer

Ask those Shi‘i scholars and write down the verse of the Holy Qur’an in which the twelve imams are specified by name; and if the Noble Prophet ﷺ stated their names in a noble hadith, then ascertain that hadith from them and write down the words of the hadith together with the specification of the book and the chain of transmission (isnad) of the hadith.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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