A candid answer to the question of Shia Islam's stance towards the Sahaba (companions) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), specifically the three individuals - Abu Bakr bin Abu Quhafa, Umar bin Al-Khattab, and Uthman bin Affan - who successively held the political post of caliphate in the early Muslim community, ahead of Imam Ali bin Abu Talib (peace be upon him). Note we say that those three - and other caliphates that came later - may have held the political post of caliphate, however the true Imamah (divinely-appointed leadership) and authority over the Islamic Ummah (nation) could never be usurped, and always successively belonged to the 12 Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (peace be upon them), whether or not they held the political manifestation of their leadership.

We understand that this may be a contentious issue for a Sunni viewer looking into Shia Islam. We advise you to delve deeper into, read and research why the followers of the Ahlul-Bayt (peace be upon them) hold the positions they do. Several useful videos may be found on this topic within the following playlist we have made for a Sunni audience, as well as other playlists you can find on our channel:    • For the non-Shia Muslim viewer...  

Biography of Abu Bakr bin Abu Quhafa:    • Biography of Abu Bakr - Sayed Hossein...  

Biography of Umar bin Al-Khattab:    • Biography of Omar ibn al Khattab - Sa...  

Why do Shia Muslims not hold some of the wives of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in the same light as Sunni Muslims?    • Video   Simply because the Holy Quran doesn’t.

An explanation of Shia Islam’s position towards Aisha bint Abu Bakr:    • Aisha & The Shia - عائشة والشيعة  

A book recommendation for such contentious issues of early Islamic history and a useful gift for any inquisitive non-Shia Muslim looking into the path of the Ahlul-Bayt (peace be upon them): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/191112001...

Arabic answer to a similar question:    • Video  

Credit: Sayed Mahdi Al-