After twenty-three years of struggle and effort in the cause of the faith of Islam, and in the endeavour to establish the Medinan community, the Holy Prophet passed away, at the beginning of the eleventh year after the Hijra. With the departure of this great soul, the Quranic revelation and the cycle of prophecy came to an end; no further Prophet would arise, nor would there be any subsequent religious dispensation. However, the responsibilities that had been incumbent on the Prophet (apart from those pertaining to the conveyance of the Revelation) naturally did not come to an end. It was thus essential, after his death, that enlightened and upright persons should, in each succeeding age, undertake these responsibilities, as successors and vicegerents, and as Imams and leaders of the Muslims. This much will be readily accepted by all Muslims; but there is a difference of perspective as between Shia and its background, and then we shall turn to discussion of the Imamate. The term Shia means ‘follower’, and now refers, conventionally, to the group of Muslims who, after the death of the Holy Prophet, believed that the function of leadership in the Islamic community was the prerogative of Ali and his successors who are considered to be immaculate. According to the historical record, the Prophet repeatedly spoke, throughout his life, and on different matters, about the virtues of Ali of his nobility, and also of his leadership qualities, second only to the Prophet’s own. These sterling tributes and commendations of Ali resulted, according to well-attested narrations, in the formation of a group around, in the very lifetime of the Prophet; a group that became known as Shia of Ali.
Mahdism and False Claimants of Mahdihood
