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The Concept of Imamate between Shia and Sunni Muslims - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief The Concept of Imamate between Shia and Sunni Muslims 2022-12-16 1360 Views Shia Muslims , Imamate , Sunni Muslims By Imamate, we meant the general Imamate for Muslims, caliphate, rulership, leadership and Wilāyah (guardianship).

Since the main topic of my book being a comparison between the school of Ahl al-Sunnah and that of the Imāmiyyah Shia, I have to expose the principle of Imamate from the perspective of both sects, in order that the reader and researcher be acquainted with the foundations and principles upon which each sect depends, knowing consequently the convictions that led me to accept conversion and abandon my previous belief.

The Shia view Imamate as one of the principles of religion (Usul al-Din), due to its great significance and seriousness, being the leadership of the best Ummah (community) that has been raised up for mankind. Besides, the numerous virtues and unique characteristics upon which leadership is based, of which I refer to knowledge, bravery, forbearance, honesty, chastity, asceticism (zuhd), piety (taqwā), and godliness…etc.

The Shia hold that Imamate being a Divine post with which Allah encharges whomever He chooses from among His upright bondmen, to undertake this critical role, being to lead and guide the world after the demise of the Prophet (God’s peace and benediction be upon him and his Progeny).

On this basis, Imām ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib was the Imam and leader for Muslims in accordance with the election of Allah, Who has revealed to His Messenger to nominate him (Ali) as the chief of mankind, the task that he (PBUHH) did, telling the Ummah to follow him as his successor, after returning from his last Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajjat al-Wadā‘) at Ghadir Khumm, and people swore allegiance to him “as held by the Shia.” [1] Ahl al-Sunnah also believes in the necessity of the Imamate for leading the Ummah, but they give the Ummah the right to choose its Imam and leader.

According to this, Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhāfah became the leader of the Muslims through their electing him after the demise of the Messenger of Allah (PBUHH), who kept silent concerning the matter of successorship never declaring anything in its regard to the Ummah, leaving the issue to be determined according to the shurā (consultation) among people. Where the Truth be?