The doctrine of Imamate as a Divine office is quite evident...

The doctrine of Imamate as a Divine office is quite evident in this letter of the Imam (a), and the various aspects of the argument on which it is based are quite clear. Its most significant part is that which asserts a relationship between prophethood, wasiyyah, and Imamate and affirms them as deriving from an original tradition in the history of the prophets. Mu'awiyah's denial of the Imamate of the Apostle of God (s) is also a noteworthy point in this correspondence.

In any case, Imam Ali ('a) made a great effort ill many of his speeches and sermons to establish the preeminence of the over others and to establish their Divine right. In asserting such a right he considered it to be an inalienable element of the Imamate, and, naturally, he did not recognize such a right for the other caliphs. The characteristics of Shi'i thinking are quite evident in many passages narrated from the Imam Ali ('a).

In one of his sermons he declares concerning the ('a): They have been entrusted with the secret of the Apostle, and whoever takes refuge in them finds the way to the truth. They are the repository of the knowledge of the Apostle and the exponents of the laws of the Shariah. The Qur'an and the Sunnah are secure with them, and they, like a high mountain, are the sentinels of the faith. By their means, Islam is kept straight, steady, and stable.

[^69] In another place he says, Where are you going and where are you being led away? The waymarks are established the signs are clear, and the lighthouses stand raised. So where are you being mislead and how do you go astray? The Household of your Prophet is in your midst and they are the guardians of the truth, the standards of religion, and the tongues of truthfulness. So place them in the best stations of the Qur'an and turn to them like thirty camels approaching their watering place.

[^70] In another passage he declares: We are the tree of prophethood and the place of descent of Messengerhood, the place of frequenting of angels, the mines of knowledge, and the mainspring of wisdom. Our friend and supporter is hopeful of receiving Divine mercy and one who regards us with enmity and hostility awaits Divine vengeance. [^71] They (i.e. the ) are life for knowledge and death for ignorance.

Their temperance will inform you of their learning, their exterior of their interior, and their silence of the wisdom of their speech. They do not oppose the truth, nor do they disagree regarding it.