zaid ibn arqam says that we went with the prophet (p.

zaid ibn arqam says that we went with the prophet (p.) to the valley called vadi khum *. he asked us to pray, then he gave a speech in which he said, " don't you know, don't you witness that i am the leader of every believer "? they replied, "yes". then he said, " whomever i an the leader of , ali (a.) would be his leader. o' lord ! be enemy of his enemy and be helper of his followers ". see musnad ahmed bin hanbal vol : 4 p. 372.

Qualification of leadership qualification for leadership are as follows : 1.) the leadership in islam during the prophet muhammad (p) was both for religion and daily matters. most important qualifications were knowledge and justice. there is no value for blood relationship nor age in islam. therefore, we see prophet muhammad (p.) appointed osama bin zaid who was 20 years old as a leader for the islamic army.

the prophet (p.) ordered all his older companions to follow osama because prophet muhammad (p.) found in him the qualification of knowledge and justice. the prophet muhammad (p.) did not care about the age. therefore, shi'a believe that the question of age which was brought against imam ali (a.) was not valid at all. further, during the islamic history until 1339 a.h. most of a leader as a required qualification for leadership. 2.) infallibility : the other qualification is justice.

according to shi'a principle, the leader should be just. the holy qur'an says to ibrahim (a.), " unjust people cannot reach my promise ". (2 : 124) the holy qur'an says " who does not repent is unjust " . therefore, every wrong doer is unjust. the prophet muhammad (p.) brought the message of islam completely during his life. the holy qur'an says, " today we have completed your religion " ( 5: 3). therefore, no one has the right to add anything to islamic principle.

rather everyone should apply qur'anic teachings to his life. infallibility of an imam is nothing but to adhere to his duty as leader. imam ali (a.) says, " how can i be called a commander of faithfuls and not share with them their difficulties of life". the ahl-ul-bayt followed the prophet (p.) who said, " i am not but a human being like you ". in short, infallibility is adhere to the principle of leadership as it is explained by the islamic teachings. Meaning of Shi'a?

the qualification of a leader can be fully understood but by the previous leader. therefore, the prophet muhammad (p.) appointed imam ali (a.) and each imam appointed the imam after him.