THE REALITY OF IMAMATE WE BELIEVE that Imamate is not only...

THE REALITY OF IMAMATE WE BELIEVE that Imamate is not only the apparent rulership or leadership of a caliph but rather a high spiritual or religious position. Besides ruling and governing the Islamic society, an Imam has the overall leadership of this mortal life of people as well as that of the Hereafter. He guides the soul and mind of people, and guards against any deviation from the law, meanwhile he leads at the targets assigned by the Prophet (PBUHH).

This is the same high rank that Almighty Allah gave to Abraham after passing the stages of prophethood and the steps of apostleship and many other exams.

When Abraham asked his Lord to assign the position of Imamate to some of his near kins, he was answered that this title or position will not be given to the oppressors or sinners: “When his Lord tested Abraham with certain words and he fulfilled them, He said, ‘I am making you the Imam of mankind.’ Said he, ‘And from among my descendants?’ He said, ‘My pledge does not extend to the unjust” (2:124).

It is evident that such a high moral and religious position cannot be abridged or lowered to apparent rulership or leadership, or else the verse will not hand over a reasonable meaning or sense. We believe that all the Arch Prophets had the dignity and grade of Imamate through their prophethood. This is because whatever they decreed by their prophethood they put it to work as an Imam.

So was the great Prophet of Islam, when at the beginning of his mission he conveyed the messages of Almighty Allah to His servants, and meanwhile, he carried out his leadership, teaching people and leading them to the path of truth. WE BELIEVE that after the , his mission was continued by the innocent Imams who succeeded him from among his nearest kin and their offspring.

By the definitions given above, to reach the high rank of an Imam is very difficult and heavy conditions are to be observed, such as piety to the level of innocence, having the highest level of knowledge of religion and the law, and also full acquaintance with the human needs in any age or time. IMAM MUST BE INNOCENT WE BELIEVE that an Imam should be free of any guilt or sin.

As a matter of fact, one who is not innocent, cannot be trusted to teach the realities of the law and the tenets of a divine Religion. It is for his innocence that we hold an Imam’s word or deed as religious proof.