I am currently exploring Shi'ite Islam and am curious about the 12 Imams from the family of Ahlul Bayt. Are there specific references in Islamic sources that name these 12 Imams, and where can I find evidence for this claim?
All Muslim sects have in their books Prophetic Hadeeths stating that the successors of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) will be twelve. ( Saheeh Al-Bukhari 7222 and Saheeh Muslim 1821).
The names of the twelve Imams are mentioned in many Hadeeths.
Wassalam.