Who are the Twelve Imams in Shia Islam?

The Twelve Imams are the divinely appointed successors to Prophet Muhammad in Shia Islam. They are:

  1. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (d. 661 CE)
  2. Imam Hasan ibn Ali (d. 670 CE)
  3. Imam Hussain ibn Ali (d. 680 CE)
  4. Imam Ali Zain al-Abidin (d. 713 CE)
  5. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (d. 733 CE)
  6. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (d. 765 CE)
  7. Imam Musa al-Kadhim (d. 799 CE)
  8. Imam Ali al-Rida (d. 818 CE)
  9. Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (d. 835 CE)
  10. Imam Ali al-Hadi (d. 868 CE)
  11. Imam Hasan al-Askari (d. 874 CE)
  12. Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (in occultation)

Shia Muslims believe these Imams are infallible guides chosen by Allah to interpret the Quran and guide the Muslim community. The Twelfth Imam, Imam Mahdi, is believed to be in occultation and will return to establish justice on earth.