The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family): The people of Yemen came to know of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and became very glad, and when they came before the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) ... they said: 'O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family)! Who is your successor?' He said: 'He is the one to whom Allah the Mighty and Majestic has commanded you to hold fast, and He said: وَ اعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللهِ جَمِیعاً وَ لا تَفَرَّقُوا [And hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah (the Quran, Islam and every means of unity), and do not become divided!] (Aal Imran/103).' They said: 'O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family)! Make clear to us what this rope is.' He said: 'The explanation of the divine rope is the word of Allah إِلَّا بِحَبْلٍ مِنَ اللهِ وَ حَبْلٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ [except by a rope from Allah and a rope from the people]; so the rope which is from Allah is the Book of Allah (the Quran), and the rope which is from the people is my successor.'