Designation of Successorship in Judaism and Christianity and Its Reflection in Imamiyya Hadiths

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Associate Professor, Department of Shia Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran

Abstract

In Imamiyya narratives, the issue of the succession of Prophet Moses (a) and Prophet Jesus (a) through explicit designation (nass) by those prophets is significantly reflected. A review of the Old and New Testaments confirms that this claim aligns with their contents. Imamiyya hadiths regarding the succession of Joshua ibn Nun after Moses (a) address not only the principle of designation and successorship, but also topics such as the criteria for his selection (his superior knowledge and merit), the trials during his leadership—including the rejection of his appointment by some Israelites, and the rebellion of two hypocrites aided by Safura, the wife of Moses (a) against him. They also note the similarity in the duration of Joshua’s life after Moses (a) to that of Imam Ali (a) after the Prophet Muhammad (s), the coincidence of his martyrdom with the anniversary of Imam Ali’s (a) wounding, and the idea that only the followers of Joshua among the Jewish sects are deemed to be saved. Regarding Simon (Sham’un), the hadiths mention not only his designation and succession, but also his virtues and the hardships he endured after the ascension of Jesus (a). The greater number of reports about Joshua compared to Simon may be due to the presence of more Jews than Christians in the environment in which Islam emerged, and their closer interactions with Muslims. The Prophet (s) and the Imams likely intended, by narrating the stories of Joshua and Simon, to console the Shia amid the political and social pressures of the Umayyads and Abbasids, and to prevent doubts among the Shia masses regarding the legitimacy of the Imams and their followers.
 

Keywords

References

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Al-Tarikh Va Al-Hazarah Al-Islamiyah Royat al-Mu'asirah
Volume 5, Issue 1 - Serial Number 9
February 2025
Pages 126-150

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 28 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 09 March 2025

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