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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Leading The Ummah Chapter 25: The Greater The Responsibilities, The Heavier The Conditions As a rule, great responsibilities demand hard conditions and the greater the responsibilities the harder their fulfillment becomes. The work conditions of worshippers and an Imam who has control over people's lives and possessions is not identical. Both prophethood and Imamate are the most demanding positions in the world.

The Prophets and Imams, who have control over people's possessions and lives, have full control over people the Holy Quran concerning the Prophet declares ﴿ النَّبِيُّ أَوْلى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ ﴾ “The Prophet has a greater claim on the faithful than they have on themselves” [^1] . In the sermon of Ghadir it is said that the Prophet has a greater claim on the faithful. Would it be possible for Allah to bestow such a significant job upon an individual who is prone to sins?

The Quran's guidance Both the Prophet and “those in authority” (اولى الامر) according to the Holy Quran are to be obeyed in the same way that we obey Allah. The Holy Quran declares: ﴿ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الأَْمْرِ مِنْكُمْ ﴾ “Obey Allah and obey the apostle and those in authority from among you” [^2] . This verse most vividly stipulates that we should unconditionally obey the group called “those in authority from among you”.

Since this group is flawless, their obedience becomes urgent and such obedience is entirely justifiable. However if this group were not flawless and performed sins how could Allah oblige us to obey them? When the Holy Quran compels us to obey “those in authority” beside Allah and His Apostle we would conclude that “those in authority” are, like the Apostle himself, flawless. No man in such an authority would ever participate in homicide or in the confiscation of the possessions of the oppressed.

An Answer to a Question It might be said that the obedience towards “those in authority” is feasible only if he carries out his duty in accordance with Shariah and the explicit commands of Allah and the Apostle, otherwise obedience towards them should be stopped and even be opposed.

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