Imams of Shia

These are the Twelve Imams from the pure progeny of the Prophet arranged chronologically as follows:  

* The first is the Commander of the Faithful (Amir al-Mo’menin) and the Imam of the pious, the leader of the elite, the master of Muslims and Allah's victorious lion, Ali ibn Abu Talib, salaam be upon him, the gate of knowledge who challenged the minds, dazzled the hearts, and enlightened the intellect, the man without whom the Messenger of Allah(SBUH&HP) could not have been able to set the foundations of the creed.  

* Second is Imam Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Ali, Salaam be upon him, Master of the Youths of Paradise, the fragrant flower of the Prophet in this nation, the ascetic worshipper of Allah, the faithful adviser.  

* Third is Imam Abu Abdullah al-Husayn ibn Ali, Salaam be upon him, the Master of the Youths of Paradise and the fragrant flower of the Prophet in this nation, the master of martyrs and the one who was slaughtered on Karbala and who sacrificed his all seeking to reform the nation of his grandfather.  

* Fourth is Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn Zaynul-Abidin, Salaam be upon him, the master of all those who prostrated to their Lord.  

* Fifth is Imam Muhammad ibn Ali al-Baqir,Salaam be upon him, who penetrated the knowledge of the early generations and the last.  

* Sixth is Imam Ja`far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq, Salaam be upon him, the like of whom no eyes had ever seen nor anyone had ever heard nor any mind had ever realized with regard to the knowledge of fiqh; none was more learned, or better in deeds, than him. 

* Seventh is Imam Musa ibn Ja`far al-Kazim, Salaam be upon him, the descendant of the prophet, the substance of knowledge.  

* Eighth is Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Rida, Salaam be upon him, who was granted wisdom even as a child.  

* Ninth is Imam Muhammad ibn Ali al-Jawad, Salaam be upon him, the Imam of generosity and giving, the Imam of excellent conduct.  

* Tenth is Imam Ali ibn Muhammad al-Hadi, Salaam be upon him, the one who received Allah's favors, who was the lighthouse of guidance.  

* Eleventh is Imam al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Askari, Salaam be upon him, the Imam of asceticism and piety.  

* Twelfth is Imam ibn al-Hasan al-Mahdi, Salaam be upon him, who will fill the world with justice and equity after being filled with inequity and oppression, and the son of Maryam, Salaam be upon him, will pray behind him, and Allah will complete through him His Light, and through him will the believers be very pleased.  

from Dr. Tijani's book