THE TRUTHFUL ONES
9:119. O ye who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are true.
19:56. Also mention in the Book the case of Idris: He was a man of truth (and sincerity), (and) a prophet:
12:46. “O Joseph!” (he said) “O man of truth! Expound to us (the dream) of seven fat kine whom seven lean ones devour, and of seven green ears of corn and (seven) others withered: that I may return to the people, and that they may understand.”
4:69. And whoever obeys Allah and the Apostle, these are with those upon whom Allah has bestowed favors from among the prophets1 and the truthful2 and the martyrs3 and the good4, and a goodly company are they!
7: 181. Of those We have created are people who direct (others) with truth. And dispense justice therewith.
13:7 You are only a warner, and for every people is a guide.
17:71 One day We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imams: those who are given their record in their right hand will read it (with pleasure), and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.
28:41. And we made them (but) leaders inviting to the Fire; and on the Day of Judgment no help shall they find.
We believe the Holy Prophet of Islam (S) has appointed the imams after him based on a divine commandment in the Quran 5:67. In one place, specifically the Hadeeth of Thaqalayn, he has stated it in general. We read in Saheeh Muslim that the Noble Prophet (S) stood up in a place in between Mecca and Medina called Khumm and gave a sermon. Then he said, “Soon I will leave you and verily I leave among you two valuable things. The first of which is God’s book. In it is guidance and light… And the second is my household. I advise you before God that you do not forget my household (he repeated this sentence three times.)”
This matter has also been related in Saheeh Al-Tirmidhi where it explicitly says, “If you hold fast to these two, you will not go astray.”7
This hadeeth has also been related in Sunan Al-Darimi, Khasais by Al-Nasai and Musnad Ahmad as well as most of the famous and well-known Islamic books. There is no room for doubt in its authenticity. In actuality, it is counted among one of the successive narrations (mutawaatir) which no Muslim can deny. And it can be seen from traditions that the Prophet of Islam (S) did not just mention it in one place but in various places.
It is clear that everyone from the Prophet’s household cannot have such a lofty position next to the Qur’an. Therefore, this only refers to the infallible imams from the Prophet’s progeny. Only in some very weak and doubtful narrations, my way of life (sunna) is mentioned instead of my household. One narration that substitutes the word “Sunna” for “my family” exists in a book (By Imam Malik 179AH) and it is invalid because it has no isnad (no chain of transmitters) vs the Traditional translation of my Family which is in over 100 chains of narration making it a mutawaatir hadith.
SAHIH MUSLIM- Hadeeth of Thaqalayn. ‘One day the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be Allah’s peace and benedictions, addressed us near a pond called Khumm between Makkah and Madinah. He praised God and extolled Him and preached and reminded (us). Then he said, “Lo, O people, I am only a human being and I am about to respond to the messenger of my Lord [i.e. the call of death]. I am leaving behind two precious things (thaqalayn) among you. The first of the two is the Book of Allah. In it is guidance and light. So get hold of the Book of Allah and adhere to it.” Then he urged and motivated (us) regarding the Book of Allah. Then he said, “And my Ahlul Bayt (family). I urge you to remember God regarding my Ahlul Bayt. I urge you to remember God regarding my Ahlul Bayt. I urge you to remember God regarding my Ahlul Bayt”‘” ….(Sahih Muslim, part 7, Kitab fada’il al-Sahabah [Maktabat wa Matba’at Muhammad ‘Ali Subayh wa Awladuhu: Cairo] pp. 122-123.) or Sahih Muslim BOOK 31, Hadith #5920
Saheeh Al-Tirmidhi– Hadeeth of Thaqalayn.
Narrated Zaid bin Arqam, may Allah be pleased with both of them: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said :”Indeed, I am leaving among you, that which if you hold fast to them, you shall not be misguided after me. One of them is greater than the other: The Book of Allah is a rope extended from the sky to the earth, and my family – the people of my house – and they shall not split until they meet at the Hawd, so look at how you deal with them after me.” 49 Chapters on Virtues, English Reference: Vol 1, Book 46, Hadith 37887
1 The Prophets that came with Revelation (infallible),
2 Warners or Imams (infallible)
3 People that died for Islam
4 Good Believers
7: https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/49 Chapters on Virtues, English Reference: Vol 1, Book 46, Hadith 3788