"upon the earth and beneath the soil." And after comparing these two texts, the Shi'ite inclination of Ibn Tumart in the matter of obedience to the Imam becomes clear.

The Succession of Imams: - 2 In the context of proving the aforementioned idea, which is that the order of the universe is only maintained by the Imamate, the Mahdi explained how the Imamate has continued from Adam to Noah, and from his son to Abraham. Then from after Abraham to David, then from after him to Jesus. Then from after him to Muhammad, peace be upon him.

And the Imam after the Messenger, peace be upon him, is Abu Bakr, whom he chose to lead the people in prayer and approved of him as an Imam in his religion. He was trustworthy in their affairs, a successor to the people, and restored the Imamate to its rightful place. He preserved and cared for it as it deserved.

Then after Abu Bakr was Imam Umar, who upheld the truth in the best way, as is proven from his qualities and accounts. The people obeyed him with sincerity and affection, without distress or hardship in his judgments and rulings.

Then he refers after that to the Imamate of Uthman and Ali, where he says: "...And it remained so until the period of the Prophetic Caliphate ended, thirty years after the Chosen One, peace be upon him."

And after these Caliphs, the matter of the Imamate became disturbed, and the life of the community became corrupt, and disputes, differences, and desires appeared. Truths were inverted, and rulings were suspended. Sciences became corrupt, and deeds were neglected. Sunnahs died, and truth departed. Justice was lifted. The world became darkened by ignorance and falsehood, by disbelief and transgression. It changed with innovations and desires, and the people of falsehood prevailed and took control until they reached a far extreme with falsehood and injustice.

Al-Kulayni: Al-Kani: (45) And thereafter. Book of the Imamate: Ibn Tumart (46) Same source: (47) Same source: (48) Same source and page. (49) 238