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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al Kafi (volume 4)(part 1) Chapter 15 : the Unique Ahadith That Sums Up the Virtue and Qualifications of the Imam (a.s.) H 523, Ch. 15, H 1 Abu Muhammad al-Qasim ibn al-'Ala', may Allah grant him blessings, in a marfu' manner (rafa'abu), has narrated from 'Ad al-'Aziz ibn Muslim the following. "We had been with al-Rida (a.s.) at Marw. During an assembly in the central mosque on Friday, we attended the gathering. It was when we had just arrived (in Marw).
People spoke and discussed about the issue of Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority). All the differing opinions among people in this matter came up. I then went to see my leader (a.s.) and informed him of the people's controversies over the issue (leadership). The Imam (a.s.) smiled and then said the following. "O 'Abd al-'Aziz, people are ignorant and their opinions have mislead and deceived them.
Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, did not cause His Holy Prophet to leave this world before completing for him the religion. Allah sent him the Holy Quran in which all things are clearly explained. Allah has explained in the Holy Quran what is lawful and what is unlawful. He has explained totally the limits and the rules for all issues that people may face in the affairs of life. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, "We have left nothing without a mention of it in the Book. . .
." (6:38) During the last visit of the Holy Prophet to Makka for pilgrimage towards the end of his life the following verse of the Holy Qauran was sent to him. "On this day I have perfected your religion, completed My favors to you, and have chosen Islam as your religion. . . ." (5:3) The issue of Imamat (leadership) is part of the completion of religion.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.) did not leave this world before explaining to his followers the principles of their religion and show them the path clearly, and he left them on a point of a path that faced the direction of the truth. He raised Ali (a.s.) among them as a flag and Imam (a leader). He did not leave anything that his followers needed without full explanation.
Those who think that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has not completed His religion, they rejected the book of Allah and those who reject the book of Allah they have become expressed unbelievers in it. "Do they realize the value and the status of the Imamat (leadership) of the 'Umma (the nation) to justify their selection?