Hadith of the Quran and Sunnah authenticity. The Shi'a claim that this hadith is the most authentic of hadiths, claiming that it has been narrated by over 35 companions of Muhammad. The "Hadith al-Thaqalayn" is used by the Shi'a, among other reasons, to support their belief of Ali's succession to Muhammad. Shi'as view this hadith as a clear indication that Muhammad wished to keep the matter of leadership within his own family, starting with his cousin Ali. They believe that Muhammad was clearly indicating that only the "Ahl al-Bayt" have a right to authority and leadership. It is based on this claim that the Shi'as reject
Hadith terminology in and of itself"with the same definition a "ṣaḥīḥ hadith" except that the competence of one of its narrators is less than complete; while a "hadith" that is "ḥasan ligharihi" ("ḥasan due to external factors") is determined to be "ḥasan" due to corroborating factors such as numerous chains of narration. He states that it is then comparable to a "ṣaḥīḥ hadith" in its religious authority. A "ḥasan hadith" may rise to the level of being "ṣaḥīḥ" if it is supported by numerous "isnād" (chains of narration); in this case that "hadith" would be "ḥasan lithatihi" (""ḥasan" in and of itself")