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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Mahdaviyat in Hadith Imamate and Nahjul Balagha : a Perspective There is a famous tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) recorded by both - the Shias and the Ahle Sunnah traditionalists- 'One who dies without recognizing the Imam of his time, dies the death of ignorance.' This means that even if a person accepts and conforms to all the Islamic beliefs and puts in practice all the edicts, but dies without recognizing the Imam of his time, his death will be on ignorance and apostasy.

Such a person is condemned to eternal Hellfire regardless of his deeds in this world. This is because good deeds will only benefit a person provided his beliefs are correct, as espoused by the Quran and traditions. Hence, any person, who wants to secure himself from the raging fire of hell, should necessarily possess the recognition of the Imam of his time and not simply rely on his worship and virtuous deeds. Two Kinds Of Imams: The Holy Quran has mentioned two types of leaders (Imams).

The first type is the one who leads the people towards Hell. Allah declares in Surah Qasas: 41, 'And We made them Imams who call to the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall not be assisted.' It means that the end of the one who accepts such an Imam will be in Hell. The second group of Imams guides the people by Allah's command.

Surah Sajdah: 24 points out 'And We made of them Imams to guide by Our command when they were patient, and they were certain of Our communications.' 'Say: Is there any of your associates who guides to the truth? Say: Allah guides to the truth. Is He then Who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed, or he who himself does not go aright unless he is guided?

What then is the matter with you; how do you judge?' (Surah Yunus : 35) Hazrat Ali (a.s.) has described the characteristics of both kinds of Imams in his orations. 'The reality of people is not understood by their names but by the pattern of their behavior and mannerisms. Just as clothes hide the defects of the body, external manners cloak the defects of the soul. A connection of the soul is a necessity between the Imam and the follower. If a person (i.e.

Imam) is not pious in his own heart, he will not be able to guide his followers towards piety and servitude.