For generations, many believers assumed that the hadith corpus accurately preserved the teachings of the Prophet (SAW) and the Aimmah (AS). Yet leading scholars have acknowledged that large numbers of narrations are weak, contradictory, or fabricated. How reliable, then, is the body of hadith upon which so much theology and law depends?
Few narrations have shaped Twelver theology as profoundly as the hadith of the Twelve Caliphs. Yet does the evidence truly support the conclusions often built upon it? A careful examination of its authenticity, wording, and historical context reveals a far more complex picture than is commonly assumed.
Verse 3:7 states that no one knows the taʾwīl of the Qur’an except Allah, raising important questions about later claims that the Prophet (SAW) and the Aimmah (AS) knew the deeper meaning of every verse. A careful examination of the Qur’an and early sources helps clarify what taʾwīl truly means.
Many people call upon prophets, imams, or other righteous figures believing they can help bring them closer to Allah. The Qur’an, however, repeatedly calls believers to direct their prayers and requests to Allah alone. This raises an important question: does invoking others alongside Allah conflict with pure tawḥīd?
The Imams (AS) repeatedly warned that fabrications had been attributed to them, just as false reports had been attributed to the Prophet (SAW) before them. Recognizing the existence of fabricated narrations, understanding the motives behind them, and applying clear standards of verification are essential steps in preserving the integrity of their teachings.
Ghuluww refers to exceeding the limits set by Allah in matters of belief and religion, often by attributing qualities, powers, or ranks to individuals beyond what revelation supports. While motivated by love, reverence, or devotion, such exaggeration has historically altered religious understanding and blurred the distinction between the Creator and His creation.
Many beliefs and claims regarded as ghuluww by early Imami scholars were strongly condemned by the Imams themselves. Yet over time, some of these ideas became increasingly accepted within Twelver thought. Tracing this historical shift invites a re-examination of whether certain contemporary beliefs remain faithful to the earliest teachings.