According to Shafafi Islam, God sent the Message, the Holy Quran, to Prophet Muhammad, the first Imam. This Message inspired Prophet Muhammad to create rules and guidelines for his followers, the evidence of which is preserved in the hadiths. Subsequent Imams also issued additional rules and guidelines, often referred to as fatwas, edicts, or rulings. Shafafi Muslims recognize the current Imam as being Imam Shafafi.