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
Introduction to the Science of Hadith authored an abridgement: The following have set "Introduction" to verse, adding some content in the process: The numerous editions of the "Introduction" in its original Arabic include two of the more reliable: The "Introduction" has been translated into English and published as "An Introduction to the Science of Hadith", by Eerik Dickinson, as part of the Great Books of Islamic Civilization series. The translator has provided a biography of Ibn al-Ṣalāḥ derived from numerous sources, in addition to copious footnotes throughout. It is published by Garnet Publishing Limited, Reading, 2006, 356 pgs. Introduction to the Science of Hadith (Ibn al-Ṣalāḥ's)