Special Imamat in Nahj al-balagha

Imamat and leadership of community, as an important and major issue, are often considered in the sermons and letters of Imam Ali (AS). The content of these sermons and letters about leadership can be classified in the “general Imamat “and “special Imamat “. This paper focuses on the first issue, the “special Imamat “. “Special Imamat “in its totality denotes to the individual right of the household of “Prophet” Muhammad (PBUH) for the “leadership of community”. Looking more specifically it focuses on the right of Imam Ali to stand in the place of the Imam after the Holy Prophet. Both of the “general Imamat” and “special Imamat” are emphasized in Nahj al-balagha. In this article, passages of 24th sermons, letters and wisdom has been mentioned on the right of Imam Ali to stand in the place of the Imam after the Holy Prophet.