The efforts made in Mecca were also a historical prelude for...

The efforts made in Mecca were also a historical prelude for the establishment of a formal government in Medina. Purging of the internal enemies and the hypocrites in Medina and waging war against the infidels and foreign powers demonstrated the Muslims’ motivation to establish a global government under the leadership of the Prophet Muḥammad ( ṣ ). No Muslim at that time ever thought that the Prophet’s ( ṣ ) duty was only to convey the message.

His all-encompassing authority was such that there was no separation between religion and politics. In addition to the conveyance of revelation, the Prophet Muḥammad ( ṣ ) had two other responsibilities—intellectual authority and practical leadership of the Islamic ummah —exactly the same responsibilities shouldered by the Imāms ( ‘a ) after the Prophet ( ṣ ). Apart from being the recipient of revelation, the Prophet ( ṣ ) was also the Imām and proof of Allah [ ḥujjat Allāh ] for the people.

His being the proof of Allah entailed responsibilities on the part of the people. Firstly, whatever the Prophet ( ṣ ) declared as lawful or unlawful—even though not explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an—became a duty upon the people. Secondly, whatever policy he as the leader adopted, was thereafter an inviolable administrative measure or decree.

Whatever dispute, whether theoretical or practical, that was settled in the presence of the Holy Prophet ( ṣ ) subsequently the people had to “hold fast” [ i‘tiṣām ] to it as “Allah’s cord” [ ḥabl Allāh ].[^4] The Apostle ( ṣ ), therefore, had two functions, viz. apostleship [ risālah ] and leadership [ imāmah ] . With the declaration of the finality of prophethood by God, risālah culminated with the Prophet Muḥammad ( ṣ ) and the people were not supposed to look for another prophet after him.

Until the end of the world, all must adhere to one religion—Islam—and its heavenly book —the Qur’an—must be the basis of religion. However, after the demise of the Holy Prophet ( ṣ ), this question was raised: With the departure of the Prophet ( ṣ ), what is the designation of Imamate or religious authority and leadership [ imāmah ] of the Islamic ummah ?

Shī‘ism Some believed that with the passing away of the Prophet ( ṣ ), leadership [ imāmah ]—in the sense of perfect interpretation of the religion—also came to an end. They believed that after the Prophet ( ṣ ), God did not designate anyone to be the flawless interpreter of the religion.