And, finally, the Imam is the rein and head of the religion,...

And, finally, the Imam is the rein and head of the religion, order of Muslims, the benefit to the believers in the world and their glory.” Again, he remarked: “The ‘Imam’ is the flourishing root of Islam and the ‘prime branch’ of it.

The ‘Imam’ is an honest friend, a kind and friendly father, a truly-loyal brother and a companion, just like an affectionate and honest mother towards her young child, and a refuge for Allah’s servants.” Then, he said: “The ‘Imam’ is the Lord’s trustee on the earth and among His people. He is the Lord’s proof for His servants and is His substitute in the cities.

He calls (the people) to Allah and defends His sanctuaries.” [^2] Quoting Ibn Abbas, Muj ahid says: “The Messenger of Allah (S) has remarked: ‘As the day of resurrection comes about, the Lord commands Gabriel to sit down at the gate of the Paradise, and do not let any one in unless he possesses the admission card and passage of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (as)’.” [^3] There are two types of leaders mentioned in the Qur’an.

The first one includes the leaders of ‘light’ and ‘guidance’; while the latter comprises of leaders who lead to the Fire and misguidance. The second group compel people to follow their lead by force, threats, allurement, and humiliation.

Abū Basir once told Imam Sadiq (as): “I witness that verily you are my Imam.” The Imam replied: “Every group will be mustered with their own Imam in the Hereafter.” [^4] And, again, the same Imam remarked: “He who rejects or refuses to accept one of the living ‘Imams’, he has certainly rejected the ‘Imams’ (and ‘leaders’) of the past.” [^5] Incidentally, the issue of ‘Imamat’, (leadership) and ‘Wilayat’ (mastership) are the subject-core of life, and are within the context of one’s very life, and it is not to be regarded as a marginal or merely an ideological issue side-lined by others.

The issue of ‘leadership’ may make people either happy or wretched. Therefore, the result of selection of a leader and obedience to him is a burning one till the threshold of the Hereafter. The Hereafter is not only the tribunal for individuals, but it is also the great court set-up for nations, peoples, parties, schools of thought, and for governments. Then, the verse implies that the people will be categorized into two different groups in the doomsday.

Those whose record of deeds is delivered to their right hand, and this is done with their pride, joy, and pleasure when they read it joyfully, and no cruelty is done to them.