IMAMAH

The major distinction between the school of ahl al-bayt and the other Islamic schools of thought revolves around the issue of the imamah , or the early succession to the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( pbuh&hf ). The school of ahl al-bayt maintains that the office of the imamah is a divine office - meaning, the imam or khalifah has to be appointed and mentioned by Allah directly, for this office holds the same significance as that of prophethood. People are thus commanded by Allah to follow specific successors ( imams ) after the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( pbuh&hf ).