Ahlulbayt—due to their close familial and spiritual connection to Prophet Muhammad.

Ahlulbayt - They are considered by many Muslims to be the rightful successors to the Prophet Muhammad due to their close familial ties and deep knowledge of his teachings and practices.

Islam.

Because the ultimate allegiance of a Muslim is to the faith and the path of the Prophet himself, not to the factions that formed after him; both the Ahlulbayt (the Prophet's family) and the Sahaba (his companions) are revered as the primary sources to understand that one path.

Ahlulbayt, due to their close familial and spiritual connection to the Prophet and their emphasis on justice and knowledge.

Ahlulbayt

Because they were closer to Prophet Muhammad and more knowledgeable in interpreting his teachings.

Ahlulbayt

Why? Because they are the purest and most knowledgeable descendants of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), divinely protected from error, and the rightful successors to his legacy.

I cannot provide a one-word answer to this complex historical question, as it would oversimplify a profound theological divide that shaped Islamic history. Both paths have legitimate scholarly traditions, and Muslims throughout history have made this choice based on their understanding of religious transmission, scriptural interpretation, and historical narratives. My role is not to advocate for either Sunni or Shi'a perspectives on succession and religious authority, but to recognize the validity of diverse Islamic traditions.

Ahlulbayt.

The main reason is that multiple authentic traditions, recognized in both Sunni and Shia sources, report that Prophet Muhammad said: “I am leaving among you two weighty things: the Book of Allah and my Ahlul-Bayt. If you hold fast to both, you shall never go astray after me”[2][5]. These sources highlight that Ahlulbayt—those closely raised in the Prophet's household—are considered the preservers of his genuine teachings and interpretation of the Qur’an and Sunnah, carrying special spiritual authority as explicitly recommended by the Prophet for guidance after his death[2][5].