An In-depth Analysis of Madelung's View about the Political Leadership of Imam Ali (P.B.U.H.) in the Book "The Succession to Muhammad"

Wilferd Madelung the German orientalist has studied the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.)'s successorship in his book "The Succession to Muhammad". Although his viewpoint is fairer and wiser than the other orientalists, he studied the character and the political and social behaviors of Amir al-Momenin Ali (P.B.U.H.) in the history from a non-religious viewpoint and through the Sunni and the other orientalists sources and methods, and has presented views, which are incompatible with the historical and religious foundations as well as the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (P.B.U.T.). Studying the political and administrative performance of Amir al-Momenin Ali (P.B.U.H.) during the historical events, as one of Madelung's notable interests, and relying on the Sunni sources, he believes that Imam Ali (P.B.U.H.) has had weak points in understanding the political issues and managing the political and social crises of Islamic society, because from his point of view, the sacred viewpoint towards the infallible Imams (P.B.U.T.) cannot be justified historically. Using a historical-theological approach and a descriptive-analytical method, and focusing on the Sunni and Shiite sources, while expressing the weakness of the author's research, this paper typified Madelung's historical views to answer the misconceptions and defend the political and social understanding and management of Imam Ali (P.B.U.H.) in solving the crisis.