Does the conflict and contradiction in the opinions of scholars regarding the interpretation of the Hadith, "This matter will continue to be mighty until there have been twelve caliphs," contradict Allah’s saying, "Today I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion"?

The disagreement regarding the designation of the twelve imams in the aforementioned hadith is not surprising, nor does it contradict the verse about the completion of religion, because the religion has indeed been completed. However, this does not preclude differences in understanding texts, or the authenticity of hadiths, or whether some are abrogating or abrogated.

Disagreement in religion is divided into two types: that which pertains to doctrines and fundamental rulings established by sound consensus – in this, division is not permissible. And that which is a difference in subsidiary matters and jurisprudential issues – in this, there is no harm.

Accordingly, there is no harm in the differing opinions of scholars regarding the designation of the imams in the aforementioned hadith, as long as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not define them in a way that definitively settled the dispute.