The Third & Fourth Dimensions...

The Third & Fourth Dimensions: Socio-Political & Universal Authority The third and fourth dimensions of wilayat are unique Shí'í beliefs, and they are considered as part of the " dharuriyyat al-madhhab, the essential parts of Shí'a sect." It is the common view of our scholars that anyone who rejects one of the dharuriyyat al-madhhab, is not considered a member of the Shí'a sect.

It is important to note that whenever the Shí'as use the term "Imamate" or "Imam", it encompasses all the four dimensions of wilayat. It excludes neither the spiritual and universal authority nor the social and political leadership.[^9] In this sense, the Shí'í term "Imamate" or "Imam" is more comprehensive than the Sunni term "khilafat" or "khalifa".

In books dealing with the Shí'a-Sunni debate of the leadership after the Prophet, the focus is more on the socio-political leadership but not in the sense of denying the spiritual and universal authority of the Imam. So while reading or discussing the issue of succession of (s.a.w.), one should not lose the universal import of the status of an Imam from the Shí'a point of view.

The Universal Wilayat It seems necessary to explain the fourth dimension of the wilayat in more detail for the benefit of the readers. The fourth dimension is the universal authority that the Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt have been vested with by the Almighty Allah. It is an authority that makes it possible for the wali to exercise his power over everything that exists.

In the words of Ayatullah al-Khumayni, "It is a vicegerency pertaining to the whole of creation, by virtue of which all the atoms in the universe humble themselves before the holder of authority."[^10] This authority of the chosen servants of Allah is totally dependent on His discretion and power. It should not be seen in the horizonal form but in the vertical form vis-à-vis the power of Almighty Allah.

As long as we maintain the vertical hierarchy of the power, we have safeguarded the tawhíd (unity and oneness) of Allah. For example, all Muslims believe that it is Allah who gives life and death to the people.