Imamate

[truthseeker]

Salaam,

A question to the Twelver Shia in regards to the Imamate of 12 Imams. How come other members of the Ahl Al-Bayt (as) weren't aware of the belief of 12 Imams? They were claiming Imamate for themselves during the lives of the other 'divinely' appointed Imams, if this was some Divine God given position which was reserved for just 12 people, how come the closest members of the Imams family not know about it?

And what do you make of those who claimed the Imamate? Imam Nafs Zakiyya (as), Imam Zayd bin Ali (as) and so forth.

[Shia not Rafidi]

point 👌

[Rationalist]

The 12er Shia say Imam Zayd believed in the Imamate of Imam Jafar and did not claim Imamate for himself. For others they accuse them of being deviant or even make takfir on them.