In short...

In short, by using these methods they would alter the Scriptures or Testaments and progressed to the point where it became impossible to recognize the truth from falsehood. Of course the primary motive for these treacherous acts and plundering was that Heavenly truths were always and in every place at war and in conflict with a part of mans' sensual passions and desires.

The validity and value of these types of realities closed the way to the enactment and practice of sensual desires for the powerful and pleasure seeking. Either these pleasures and countless conveniences must be refuted; those realities removed from their valid, recognized position; or changed in essence and nature. The powerful persons of nearly all nations chose the third method.

This was because they were not willing to accept the first method which meant forsaking their pleasures and the second method was not feasible because refuting religious truths in their entirety would damage their position making life difficult for them. As such, the best method was to alter and plunder all of its meanings and realities under the pretense of religion. This was the fate of all Divine religions and past religious laws, they were altered in this fashion.

The Holy Quran groups these crimes and malicious acts under the word revolt, injustice. 46 Previously we learned that the exigency of Divine Lordship is that his laws---being the only laws that ring true for mankind---be sent to the prophets in the form of revelations which are then taught to us by them. We also learned that because they are messengers, Divine messengers have no responsibility except that of propagation.

In addition to that however, every prophet before being Gods messenger is also a Muslim. That which is required of us with regard to our being Muslim is also required of him. Being a Muslim he must pray, fast, perform the rites of Hajj, perform Holy War (Jehad) and establish a just government. All of these are Islamic responsibilities, not those of prophetic mission. In the sense that the prophet is a messenger of God and an apostle he has no other responsibility but that of propagation.

Now, with the preliminary information we have acquired we will proceed to the main topic of this series of lectures, being the role and responsibilities of the Holy Imams (a.s) in Islamic society. Imamate and Caliphate In Islam there exists two schools of thought and insight: The Imamate school and the Caliphate schools.