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 clarify that term and not necessarily establish it. He also distinguished his book by responding to the positions of other scholars in a detailed manner. Ibn al-Ṣalāḥ mentioned in his introduction to the "Introduction" 65 chapters, each specific to a particular type or term of hadith terminology before saying that an even larger number was conceivable. He began by discussing "ṣaḥīḥ" (authentic) as the first category, and then "ḥasan" (good) as the second, "ḍa`īf" (weak) the third, "musnad" (supported) the fourth and so on. Ibn Jamāʻah, in his abridgement, divided these terms into four different categories according to subject (and