Hadith of the Twelve Successors Hadith of the Twelve Successors The hadith of the twelve successors, or twelve caliphs () is an Islamic prophecy, attributed to Muhammad. It is most popular among Twelver Shiites, as they interpret the prophecy was fulfilled by The Twelve Imams. The hadith (classified as Sahih) is widely accepted by all Muslim groups but its interpretation varies heavily. According to the prophecy there will reign twelve caliphs—presumably the first being crowned upon the Prophet's death—and after which the caliphate would cease to exist and mark the beginning of the judgement day or armageddon. It is stated that all twelve caliphs will
Hadith terminology "hadith" the text of which contradicts established norms of the Prophet's sayings, or its reporters include a liar. There are several factors which may motivate an individual to fabricate a narration: A number of "hadith" specialists have collected fabricated "hadith" separately in order to distinguish them from other "hadith". Examples include: In "hadith" terminology, a "hadith" is divided into two categories based, essentially, upon the number of narrators mentioned at each level in a particular "isnād". Consideration is given to the least number of narrators at any level of the chain of narration; thus if ten narrators convey a "hadith"