The issue of succession to the Prophet (pbuh) after his demise has been one of the most fundamental challenges in the Islamic world. This issue has given rise to extensive debates and arguments throughout Islamic history. Western scholars engaged in Islamic studies have often been influenced by Sunni biographical and historical sources, and consequently have put forward interpretations largely aligned with the Sunni theory of the caliphate. Within this scholarly context, Moshe Sharon, a specialist in the history of the medieval Islamic period, has undertaken a new examination of the succession to the Prophet Moḥammad (pbuh). In his works, Sharon critically reviews and rejects several major theories proposed by earlier Orientalists and places particular emphasis on kinship with the Messenger of God as a key factor in succession. However, by offering a specific interpretation of the term Ahl al-Bayt (as), he advances a perspective on leadership after the Prophet (pbuh) that stands in opposition to the foundational principles of Shiʿi doctrine concerning the Imamate. This article analyzes and critically evaluates Sharon’s views and seeks to answer the following two questions: 1.What are the views of Orientalist scholars who have studied the issue of the Prophet’s succession, and what criticisms can be raised against them? 2.What are Moshe Sharon’s views on the issue of the Prophet’s succession, and what criticisms can be made of them in light of Shiʿi beliefs?