This order will continue to be dominant until there have been twelve Caliphs. The narrator says: Then he said something which I could not understand, and I said to my father: What did he say? My father told me that he said that all of them (Caliphs) would be from the Quraish.
Exposition of the Hadith on the Twelve Caliphs
This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim (1821e) establishes the prophetic prediction concerning the leadership of the Muslim Ummah. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) informed that the affairs of Muslims will remain upright and dominant through twelve successive caliphs, indicating a period of stability and proper governance in accordance with Islamic principles.
Scholarly Interpretation of the Twelve Rulers
The classical scholars have differed in identifying these twelve caliphs. Some include the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs along with Mu'awiyah, Yazid, Abd al-Malik, and others from the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties who ruled with strength and maintained Islamic governance.
Other interpretations suggest these caliphs may appear at different times throughout Islamic history, not necessarily consecutively. What remains consistent across scholarly opinions is that these rulers will uphold justice and maintain the Islamic system of governance.
Significance of Qurayshi Lineage
The clarification that all twelve caliphs will be from Quraysh affirms the prophetic tradition that leadership of the Muslim community resides within the Prophet's tribe. This specification serves to maintain unity and prevent fragmentation, as Quraysh held recognized authority among the Arabs even before Islam.
This condition does not imply superiority of lineage in piety, but rather reflects the wisdom of maintaining a recognized leadership structure that ensures political stability and prevents civil strife over leadership claims.
Practical Implications for the Ummah
This prophecy provides hope and assurance that despite periods of political turmoil, Allah will preserve the Islamic community through righteous leadership at various stages of history.
Muslims are reminded to respect legitimate authority and work toward establishing just governance, while understanding that ultimate sovereignty belongs to Allah alone, and earthly leadership is a trust to be exercised in accordance with Divine guidance.