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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Imamate and The Imams Author’s Preface Imamate is not a dated ineffective issue so that it would be said, “It is not related to our time; discussing it is only a waste of time and increases old religious differences. It does not make any difference if Imam Ali (a.s.) is the Prophet’s successor or the fourth Caliph after him.

Such issues have no influence on our current lives.” It can be said in reply that the importance of Imamate, as a vital Islamic issue, will be proved later on in this book. It has a leading role now and in all eras, in all aspects of life. It also brings about a kind of responsibility for every Muslim. That is why various traditions cite recognition of the Imam in every age as a major Islamic duty and a sign of the belief. This duty is so important that ignoring it is regarded as going astray.

The Messenger of Allah (S) stated, “Anyone who dies without having an Imam has died as a pagan.”[^1] He also said, “Anyone who dies while he has not recognized his Imam has died a pagan death.”[^2] Ibn Abi Ya’fur said that he asked Imam Sadiq (a.s.) about this tradition of the Prophet (S), “Does it mean death as an infidel?” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) replied, “It means dying in deviation.” He asked Imam (a.s.) again, “Therefore, has someone who dies while he has no Imam died as a pagan?” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) answered, “Sure he did.[^3]” Fuzayl Ibn Yasar has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that the Messenger of Allah (S) stated, “Anyone who dies without having an Imam has died a pagan death.” Fuzayl asked Imam Sadiq (a.s.), “Has the Messenger of Allah (S) stated this?” Imam (a.s.) answered, “Yes, by Allah.” The narrator asked again, “So if someone dies while he has no Imam, has he died a pagan death?” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) stated, “Surely he did.”[^4] Various other traditions have also been narrated with the same theme.

Such traditions reveal that recognition of the Imam is one of major Islamic obligations. Two important questions come to mind in this regard. The first one is that what is meant by recognition of the Imam? Does it mean knowing the identifications of the Imam or a deeper recognition? The second question is that what is the advantage of recognizing the Imam? Why is it so emphasized in traditions of Prophet of Islam (a.s.) and his Household, the infallible Imams (a.s.)?