The Concept of Imāmah Imāmah...

The Concept of Imāmah Imāmah, lexically speaking means leadership and whoever becomes the leader of a group, is known as the Imam, whether he leads his group towards the truth or towards the falsehood, as the Noble Qur’an in al-Tawbah:12 has utilized the phrase ‘ Imams of the infidels’ (ai’mmat al- kufr) for the leaders of the disbelievers. Furthermore the person who leads the congregational prayers is also known as the congregational Imam (Imam al- jamā’ah).

However in the terminology of theology, the Imam means the universal administrator over an Islamic state or society, and he administers all the issues relating to this world and the next world. The reason for mentioning the issues relating to this world is to emphasise upon the extension of Imāmah and its perimeters, as in an Islamic society, an issue relating to this world is part of religion.

The standpoint of a Shi’ites with regards to the legitimacy of this administration is due to the fact that it is by Divine appointment coupled with the fact that the person who occupies this station is free from sin and fault. In Islamic sciences such a person is termed as infallible. In reality an infallible Imam will have all the specifications that the Noble Prophet had, except the station of prophethood and messengership.

Therefore his words will be considered as an authority in the field of law and order, and his commands in the different governmental issues will be determined as obligatory. Thus one can chart out three fundamental differences between the Shi’ites and Sunnites regarding the issue of Imāmah: The Imam must be nominated by God the Supreme. He must possess Divinely given knowledge and be free from faults. He must be infallible.

However being infallible is not equivalent to being an Imam, as according to Shi’ite belief Fatima Zahra’ (a) was also infallible, yet she did not hold the position of Imam. Likewise Mary (a) and may be several other saints of God, held this station. Questions 1- What other positions did the Prophet of Islam hold apart from Prophet and Messenger? 2- What is the essential point of departure between a Shi’ite and Sunnite?

3- What were the consequences of accepting leadership without Divine nomination? 4- Give the lexical meaning of the term Imāmah? 5- Explain the fundamental issues of Imāmah. Previous…