ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.): The Spring of Life Part 2: Significance and Obligations The Creed of Imamate The belief of Imamate is that important pillar of Islamic belief, without which the religious structure remains incomplete. The acceptance of all actions depends on the belief in Imamate.

When the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) commenced his mission with Daawat al-Zul Asheerah, along with the call for Divine Monotheism, proclamation of his own messengership, he (S) also announced the mastership and wilayat of Amir’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.). He invited one and all for accepting this invitation. From then onwards, the Holy Prophet (S) kept informing and announcing the people about Imamate and Caliphate.

Finally, on 18th Zilhajj, 10 A.H., in the vast plain of Ghadir al-Khumm, in front of a crowd of 1,24,000 pilgrims, he (S) not only announced the successorship and Imamate of Amir’ul-Mu’minin (a.s.) in clear terms, but, even ordered the people to pay allegiance to ‘Ali (a.s.). The Muslims duly obliged. Later, in the destruction of Harith Ibn No'man, people also saw the fate of him who denies ‘Ali's mastership.

Along with the announcement of the mastership of ‘Ali (a.s.), the Holy Prophet (S) also declared the Imamate and mastership of his eleven descendants. On various occasions, and in numerous ways, he made it clear that after him, till the Day of Judgement, the number of his successors and caliphs shall remain only twelve. The first of them will be ‘Ali (a.s.) and the last, Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).

In a number of traditions, he has also mentioned the names, titles, agnomens, and characteristics of these twelve successors. Through his companion, Jaabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari, he sent salutations to the fifth among the Imams, Imam Muhammad al-Baqer (a.s.). All these are practical testimonies of the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a). The series of Imamate and guidance continues today and will go on till the dawn of resurrection.

The Messenger of Allah (S) has underlined the significance of Imam al-Asr's (a.s.) recognition through the famous tradition, "من مات ولم يعرف امام زمانه مات ميتة جاهلية." "One who dies without knowing the Imam of his time, dies the death of ignorance (i.e. unbelief). As is evident, the unbelievers will not attain salvation. They will go to hell and shall abide in it forever.