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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Recognition of Imam al-‘Asr: Significance and Obligations Belief, Disbelief and Deviation The lowest grade of belief: Ameerul Mu’mineen ‘Ali Ibn Abi Taalib (a.s.) states, "The bare minimum by which a person becomes a believer is that when Allah introduces Himself, he should submit himself completely and absolutely before His commands. And when He grants him the recognition of His Prophet (s.a.w.a.), he must obey him (s.a.w.a.).

And when He introduces His Proof and His Witness on His earth to him, he should acknowledge him and obey him (a.s.)." On this Sulaym asked Ameerul Mu’mineen (a.s .), "Even if he remains un aware of other realities?" He (a.s.) replied, "Yes.

This will apply till he continues to obey what has been made obligatory on him and refrains from what has been prohibited."[^1] The lowest grade of disbelief: In the same tradition, Ameerul Mu’mineen (a.s.) proceeds to explain the minimum thing that makes a person an unbeliever.

📌"The minimum that makes a person an unbeliever that he considers Allah's command as prohibition and that Allah has determined for him a religion which he is following, and he thinks that he is worshipping as per the dictates of Allah, although the fact is that he is venerating the Devil." The lowest grade of deviation "And the minimum level of deviation is that man does not recognize Allah's proof, His witness up on the creatures, whose obedience has been ordered by Allah and whose leadership and mastership is compulsory." [^2] Please Note Man is either a believer or an unbeliever or deviated.

In this tradition, Ameerul Mu’mineen (a.s.) has provided the standards for all three. Belief is that man recognizes Allah, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and the Imam of his time. Along with this recognition, he also worships Allah and obeys His Messenger and the Imam. Disbelief is that man denies all that has been revealed or acknowledges that which Allah has not revealed. He accepts them as his Prophet and Imam whom Allah has not appointed.

Deviation is that he denies the Imamat and mastership of those whom Allah has deemed to be His Proofs on the earth and made them as His Witnesses on the people. To believe in the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and his recognition implies that we recognize him (s.a.w.a.) as Allah has introduced him (s.a.w.a.). Moreover, we should believe that he (s.a.w.a.) enjoys all those positions and stations that Allah has determined for him (s.a.w.a.).

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