the divine Islamic law) and the Imam is the describer of divine Islamic law.

the divine Islamic law) and the Imam is the describer of divine Islamic law. The Imam follows the path of the Prophet in all affairs except for the issue of revelation. All the requirements of a prophet (such as knowledge of, Islamic principles and practical laws, Islamic commandments, immunity against sins) are shared by an Imam.

The holders of this view state: If it is true that the Prophet brought an extensive and complex divine system for people and imparted to people all the Islamic knowledge, there should be a capable individual after the Prophet who can analyze all those principles. Such a task could not be carried out except through thorough knowledge.

It is also a fact that while the Prophet lived all the Islamic commandments were revealed to him by God but due to specific conditions a series of problems had to be addressed by the Imam who had to enjoy divine revelation. The Shiite believe that an Imam should be aware of and informed on the affairs of Islamic jurisprudence.[^4] But why should an Imam be innocent and infallible?

Sunnites recognize an Imam as the teacher and instructor of the Ummah, however, education should be practical and should be carried out by the instructor. If the instructor himself were to break laws, how could he influence others to the right path? This view holds: since the Ummah could never recognize a sponsor so innocent and well informed, an Imam should be appointed by God.

Now we should find out which one of the two views is correct and well founded and is in harmony with the verses of the Holy Quran and with the Prophet's authentic narrations. [^1]: . Sharhe Tajrid, Alaeddin Qoshji, p 72. In addition to this definition, there are other definitions which we will not get into. [^2]: . Al-Tamhid, p 186. [^3]: . Sharh-e-Maqasid, vol. 2, P. 271. [^4]: .

Due to the fact that the Shiite scholars, unlike the Sunnites, recognize the position of Imamate as a divine position, they define Imamate in the following .manner: الامامة رئاسة عامة إلهيه في امور الدين والدنيا خلافة عن النبي: Imamate is a divine general sponsorship which deals with people's mundane and religious affairs, as a substitute for the prophet. Previous…