ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Theological Instructions LESSON THIRTY-EIGHT: THE APPOINTMENT OF AN IMAM The appointment of an Imam In the previous lesson we have explained that the termination of the chain of prophecy without the nomination of an Imam is against Divine wisdom.

In order for the religion of Islam to be perfect, universal and eternal it requires a successor - who possesses all the qualities and realities of the Prophet, (except the station of prophethood and messengership) - after his demise (the Prophet).

This can be extracted from the noble verses of the Qur’an and from the many traditions, which are applied and utilised by both Sunnites and Shi’ites: “Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessings upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion”. (al-Māi’dah: The understanding with regards to the above verse is common between the Sunnites and Shi’ites.

This verse was revealed at the period when the Prophet was returning from his last pilgrimage (hajj - known as hajj al-wadā’). This happened to be just a few months before the demise of the Prophet. After indicating the hopelessness of the infidels (kuffār) in damaging Islam, it emphasizes on the fact that ‘today your religion has been perfected and all the bounties upon you have been completed’.

In addition, by focusing upon many traditions with regards to the reason of this verse, it becomes very clear that the perfection and completion of bounties together with the hopelessness of the infidels in hurting Islam is due to the very nomination of the successor of the Prophet through God the Supreme and the Prophet.

The infidels were waiting for the death of the Prophet, with the understanding that he was not leaving behind any son and thus assuming that Islam would be left without a custodian, causing it to weaken and deteriorate. However through the appointment of the successor the religion became perfect and God completed His favour upon the Muslims and hence, the assumption of the infidels was shattered.

When the Prophet of Islam returned from the last pilgrimage, he assembled all of the pilgrims at a place called Ghadīr Khumm, where he proceeded to deliver a detailed sermon.