In doing so...

In doing so, it was purposefully overlooked that the word ‘ ulil Amr ’ is conjointly used while speaking about obedience to the Authority of God and His Prophet (S) both in religious and temporal matters. The Qur’an reveals:“ O Ye believers, obey the commands of God, the Messenger and the Holders of Authority [Ulil Amr]. When you fall into disagreement concerning your affairs, refer to the commands of the Lord and his Messenger, if you believe in God and the Day of Judgement.

This will be better for you than anything else you might imagine, and conducive to a far better outcome .”[^10] Thus, the Qur’an makes implicit obedience to the Divinely appointed Holders of Authority [ ulil amr ] to be far superior and beneficial than any contrivance adopted by man, to govern every aspect of an individual’s life, both in this world and in the hereafter.

This is explained by Imam Ali (a.s.) as, “ The only obedience incumbent upon people is to the laws of God and the commandments of the Prophet of God. As for obedience to the Holders of Authority, this has been made incumbent because they are immune from sin, and in the very nature of things they can not issue any order that violates or runs counter to God’s Commands .”[^11] The Qur’an brings out the other side of the coin.

It reveals:“ Do not follow those who have abandoned Me and pursue their own fancies .”[^12] Thus, the use of any conjecture in matters pertaining to Islam is strictly ruled out.

Who the Holders of Authority are, is talked about by Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) :“ The Holders of Authority [Ulil Amr] are the leaders of the Ummah, from the progeny of Ali (a.s.) and Fatima (a.s.) who shall remain in existence till the Day of Resurrection .”[^13] Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari asked the Prophet (S) about the Holders of Authority whose obedience was made obligatory on the Ummah , and the Prophet (S) replied, “ O Jabir, the first of them is Ali ibn Abi Talib, followed by his two sons Hasan and Husayn, and then by Ali ibnul Husayn, followed by Muhammad al-Baqir whom you, O Jabir, will live to see.

When you meet him, convey my salutations to him. He will be followed by Ja’far as-Sadiq, Musa al-Kadhim, Ali ar-Ridha, Muhammad al-Jawad, Ali al-Hadi, al-Hasan al-Askari, and finally the Hidden One; the Promised Mehdi.