On the Khilafah of ‘Ali over Abu Bakr

On the Khilafah of ‘Ali over Abu Bakr

The question of rightful leadership after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his Family) is among the most debated issues in Islamic history. On the Khilafah of ʿAlī over Abū Bakr presents a detailed argument, using Sunni sources, that Imam ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (ʿa) was divinely appointed as the legitimate successor of the Prophet, and that his claim to leadership superseded that of Abū Bakr.

About the Book On the Khilafah of ʿAlī over Abū Bakr was authored by Toyib Olawuyi and published in 2014. Subtitled A Dictionary of Ṣaḥīḥ Sunni Hadiths, it carefully examines classical hadith (prophetic tradition) texts preserved in Sunni collections. The author focuses on narrations such as hadith al-Wilāyah (the tradition of guardianship), hadith al-Tawliyah (the tradition of appointment), and hadith al-Wirāthah (the tradition of inheritance), analyzing their chains of transmission and meanings. In addition, the book addresses counter-arguments by figures such as Ibn Taymiyyah, presenting detailed responses within a methodological framework. By doing so, it highlights how Sunni sources themselves testify to Imam ʿAlī’s (ʿa) precedence in succession.

What You Will Discover

• Evidence from Sunni hadith collections that support the Imamate of Imam ʿAlī (ʿa).
• Explanations of key traditions such as hadith al-Wilāyah, hadith al-Tawliyah, and hadith al-Wirāthah.
• Analysis of chains of transmission and reliability of narrators.
• Responses to objections about authenticity or reinterpretation.
• Discussions on the historical implications of these narrations.
• Insights into how the question of succession shaped early Islamic theology and politics.

About the Author Toyib Olawuyi is a contemporary researcher and writer on Islamic history and theology. His works often engage in comparative analysis of Sunni and Shīʿī sources. In this book, he uses Sunni narrations themselves to demonstrate that Imam ʿAlī (ʿa) was the rightful successor, carefully addressing scholarly critiques while providing clear references for further study.

Who Is This Book For? This book is for students of Islamic history, researchers interested in Sunni and Shīʿī perspectives on succession, and readers who wish to understand the historical and theological debates on the caliphate after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his Family).