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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Leading The Ummah Chapter 2:Two Hypotheses on Imamate Caliphate, from the view point of Sunnit scholars, is a social position for which only talents for specific purposes are reckoned as significant and urgent. On the other hand, Imamate, from a Shia perspective, is a divine position which is occupied by God’s appointment and is equal to the position of the Prophet in many respects.

Concerning the issue of Imamate, there are two views among scholars: one is specific to the Sunnite scholars and the other is held by the Shiite scholars: The Sunnite point of view Sunnite scholars hold that Imamate is a widespread sponsorship of Muslim religious and mundane affairs. An Imam or a caliph, in their view, is an individual who held this position after the Prophet’s death and who would solve any problem Muslims might encounter.

They define Imamate in the following manner: [^1] “الإمامة رئاسة عامة في أُمور الدين و الدّنيا خلافة عن النبي” In the Sunnite view, this great religious and social position is a social asset which is bestowed upon a caliph by people for he is elected by the people. The limits and boundaries of a caliph are clearly specified in the above definition. a) Sponsorship of religious affairs: This phrase indicates that people's religious problems are solved by the caliph.

For instance, the spread of Islam across the globe through holy wars is among an Imam's tasks. b) Sponsorship of mundane affairs: An Imam or a caliph should preserve people's security through armies and should secure the borders.

When we carefully analyze this definition and consider the caliph's tasks, we can conclude that Sunni scholars consider an Imam a usual governor and a social leader who is elected to secure general security and justice, and in this way only the Imam's knowledge and capability are required (neither a comprehensive knowledge of the Islamic commandments, nor a divine immunity against error is necessary).

However, in every society there are cases of corruption; in every corner of society there are wrong-doers who engage in gambling or who drink wine; there are aggressors who steal public wealth or commit sexual crimes. Therefore, after the Prophet's death there should be a capable man who should stop the wrongdoings through the application of divine punishments. These and many other such tasks weigh over the shoulders of the Imam who resumes the Prophet's tasks when the latter passes away.