Why Can't Anyone Falsely Claim
The Will Of The Prophet (s.a.w)?
by Zainab al-Shammari
The Holy Will of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)
written at the night of his death is a text
which mentions the successors of Allah (swt)
by their names, as it is a divine evidence that
is enough to confirm the truth of its claimant.
The Most High talked about the glad tiding
that Jesus (a.s) has brought which including
the name of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w):
“And bringing good tidings of a messenger to
come after me, whose name is Ahmad."
But when he came to them with clear
evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic."
– Holy Quran [61:6]
If the Will was a divine evidence, then surely
none would claim it except its possessor or
else it wouldn’t have been an evidence.
The Will is not claimed unless by its possessor
because it is a book that prevents the nation
from misguidance as Muhammad [s.a.w] has
promised, “Bring me a leaf and a pen to write
for you a statement with which you will
never go astray after it.”
Whereas if someone else was given the
chance to claim it and present it as a proof to
people, it would have contributed in
misguiding them and this would be against
the promised of the Prophet (s.a.w) that this
will prevents from misguidance, far be the
Prophet (s.a.w) from infringing his promise.
The will is not claimed unless by its possessor
because the Prince of the Believers, Ali (a.s)
mentioned it and considered it one of their
(pbut) chief characteristics:
“None in the Islamic community can be taken
at par with the Family of the Prophet (s.a.w).
One who was under their obligation cannot
be matched with them. They are the
foundation of religion and pillar of Belief. The
forward runner has to turn back to them
while the follower has to overtake them.
They possess the chief characteristics for
vicegerency. In their favor exists the will and
succession”- Bihar Al-Anwar vol.23 p.117
A similar narration was reported from his son
Al-Sadiq (a.s), “O you who distinguished us
with the Will and gave us the knowledge of
the past and the knowledge of what is left
and made hearts among the people incline
towards us, and made us the Successors of
the Prophets.” - Basaer Al-Darajat p.149
Therefore, it would not have been one of their
chief characteristics and a means to
distinguish them if others can claim it too.
The Will is not claimed unless by its possessor
because Imam Al-Baqir (a.s) guaranteed it as a
scale to recognize the holder of the truth
when he was asked about a way to recognize
him, so he said, "Through peacefulness,
dignity, knowledge and the Will” –Basaer AlDarajat p.509.
If a misguided person can claim it, it would
not have been a constant method of
recognizing the holder of the truth, and far be
it from him (pbuh) to breaking his guarantee
and misguiding people.
The Will is not claimed unless by its possessor
because Imam Al-Reza (a.s) proved the truth
of his grandfather Muhammad (s.a.w) to the
Jewish and Christian scholars by mentioning
the texts in their books that appointed him by
name. So they said it has not been proven to
them that this ‘Muhammad’ mentioned in