Imamah is the
Shia Islam doctrine (belief) of religious, spiritual and political
leadership of the
Ummah. The Shia believe that the Imams are the true
Caliphs or
rightful successors of
Muhammad, and further that Imams are possessed of divine knowledge and authority (
Ismah) as well as being part of the
Ahl al-Bayt, the family of Muhammad. These Imams have the role of providing commentary and interpretation of the Quran as well as guidance to their
tariqa followers as is the case of the living Imams of the
Nizari Ismaili tariqah.