The Prophet’s Positions It is proved in Kalam [^4] books...

The Prophet’s Positions It is proved in Kalam [^4] books that Prophet of Islam (S) had several positions during his lifetime: Having relation with the invisible world and getting revelation from the Almighty Allah, Maintaining religious knowledge, teachings, commandments, and laws descended as revelation, Propagating this heavenly collection among the people, answering their questions, and fighting superstition, Enforcing political, social, judiciary, economic, legal, and punitive Islamic commandments, defending Islam and the Muslims, and establishing Islamic government.

(S) was always away from mistakes and forgetfulness in fulfilling these duties. He was also infallible and away from committing sins and crimes. If a prophet is not infallible, religious commandments and rules are not guaranteed and Divine Mercy is not accomplished.

This is, in fact, the Shiah viewpoint, who believe that just as human being needs Divine knowledge, teachings, and rules revealed to prophets (a.s.) for reaching material and spiritual perfection, he needs to have an infallible leader who undertakes the Prophet(S)’s responsibilities and follow his goals in the absence of the Prophet (S) throughout history. Otherwise, the prophets’ (a.s.) mission in guiding human beings will remain incomplete.

Human need for religious sciences and teachings is not limited to the Prophet (S)’s age; humans need this Divine Source of knowledge in all ages. The short time of (S)’s prophetic mission did not secure this continual need; especially because of termination of prophetic missions ever. The Shiah Muslims know the Imam as a brilliant complete human, who succeeds the Prophet of Islam (S) and undertakes all his duties, except receiving revelation.

The Duties of the Imam The characteristics and duties of the Imam are as follows. He knows all sciences, teachings, commandment, and rules of the religion, not from revelation, but through the Prophet (S)’s training and other sources that will be mentioned later. He tries to propagate Islamic teachings and commandments and fight religious deviations.

He enforces political, social, judiciary, legal, punitive, and economic rules of Islam; that is he continues the Prophet (S)’s Islamic government based on Islamic criteria. The Imam, like the Prophet (S), is completely away from mistakes, forgetfulness, and intentional wrongdoing.