Was Imam Ali the true Successor of Prophet Muhammad- Pbuh ? - A Study in the light of Holy Quran and Hadith

As Salaam o Alaikum,

Friends, After Holy Prophet Muhammad -Pbuh left this world, Muslims got split in two Sects i.e. Sunni and Shia. Many Muslims ask the question, who was the true successor of Prophet Muhammad - Peace be upon him in the light of Holy Quran and Hadith ?  

Sunni Muslims believe that Hazrat Abu Bakar r.a., being one of the closest companions and father-in-law of the Prophet, was chosen by the community as the first caliph (successor). While Shia Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad - Pbuh designated his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as his successor through various statements and actions, including the event at Ghadeer e Khum. Shia Muslims see Ali and his descendants (the Imams) as divinely appointed leaders of the Muslim community, holding both religious and political authority. 

Here Let us know who is the true successor of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the light of Holy Quran and Hadith?

Firstly we study the Sunni belief, - as Sunni believe that Hazrat Abu Bakr r.a. was chosen by Community as the first Caliph. By this, it is clear that Hazrat Abu Bakr r.a. was chosen as the first Caliph by Community, Not by Prophet - Pbuh or not any mention it in Holy Quran.

Now we study the Shia belief, - as Shia believe that Hazrat Ali r.a. was chosen by Prophet Muhammad - Pbuh during the event at Ghadeer e Khum. Wherein Prophet Pbuh said, "Mankunto Maula Fa Ali un Maula" For whomever I am his Master then 'Ali is his Master.

Now we should know the event of Ghadeer e Khum:

When our Prophet (ﷺ) set out to perform his last Hajj, which we also know as Hajjaatul-Wida, approximately 1.25 lakh companions participated in this Hajj. When the Hajj was completed and they were returning, they reached a place is called Ghadeer-e-Khum on 18th Zul Hijjah and ordered everyone to stop. The Companions who had gone ahead were called back and the Companions who were behind were also called. Then you ordered that a Stage be made. So the Companions made a Stage of camel's kajwa.

Then he (ﷺ) praised Allah and read Surah Ahzab Ayat No.6 & Surah Maida Ayat No.67 and said, "O people, the angel of death is about to come and I accept him. I am leaving behind two great things among you. Firstly, the Book of Allah, in it is guidance and light. And the second thing is my kinship. I remind you of Allah in the matter of my kinship, I said this three times. And said, who will ever hold on to these two? Will not be misled.

Then when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) descended to Ghadeer Khum, he held the hand of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and said: “O people, do you not know that I have more rights for the believers than their own caste?” Everyone said: Yes. Then he (ﷺ) said: “Do you not know that I am more worthy of every believer than his community than he is himself?” Everyone said: Yes. Then he (ﷺ) said: "O God, for whom I am the Maula, Ali is his Maula. O God, whoever loves Ali, you also love him and whoever is the enemy of Ali, you also become his enemy." After this Hazrat Umar r.a. met him and said to him: Congratulations, O son of Abu Talib! You are the Maula of every believer.

Here are all the Hadith references : 18th Zilhaj - Ghadeer e khum,  Quran 33-6, 5-67, Jame Tirmizi Hadees No. 3713, 3786  Mustabrak al Hakim 4576. Mishkat-6103, Sahi Muslim - 2408 / 6228 & 6225, & Musnad Ahmed: 18671 & 19540

Conclusion:

From the above Quranic verses and Prophetic Hadiths, it is clear that after Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the Virtues person is only Imam Ali (May Allah peace on him). We respect the rest of the Companions, especially the Khulafa-e-Rashidin (Rashidun Caliphate), but if anyone will read Ghadeer e Khum Hadith references, can easily understand that it is clear that Prophet pbuh appointed his true successor / Caliph to Imam Ali.