He who denies them and they who denies him shall enter hell.

He who denies them and they who denies him shall enter hell.” The Imams were introduced beforehand by the Prophet (S) who disclosed their names and specifications individually. Each Imam has introduced the following one his successor indicating his name and his person. These are the fundamentals of principle belief.

There is no likelihood, no possibility for any mistake or confusion in the order and the person of the Imam, because of the precautions already taken by the Prophet (S) in his time in disclosing their names individually. Also each Imam pointed out to the people his successor (the next Imam). One should take these matters into consideration if he were to know something of the Imamate. For a believer who acknowledges God and the Next world the ground is reason on which the pillars of belief rest.

These fundamentals are irrefragable and incontrovertible because they are supported by the Quran and the constant circuit of the Prophet’s traditions. This subject that the Imamte is a Divine obligation has been established by the Quran and the tradition that took the wing of constancy. Dr. Allama Hilli in his book “Two Thousands” (Alfain) has brought forward two thousand arguments and evidence to prove this subject only.

Basically this subject springs from Tawheed (oneness of God) and it is the oneness of God that gives origin to this subject. Imamate is so basic and so fundamental that it is deep-rooted in Tawheed. Tawheed is the essence of Islam. And, it is this Tawheed that establishes Imamate thereby making it obligatory upon all Muslims.

The importance of Imamate is reflected form this where we suffer: “To Him is the Command and to Him is the order and He is the Sultan and He is the Ruler and He is the Guardian and He is the cognizant of the interests of the creatures. There is no order nor is there a dismissal to any one without Him.” The matter of immunity from sin gives strength to this subject besides the superiority of knowledge.

The Quran here says: “He who guides to the truth more deserves to be followed; he who does not guide should be guided.” (10:35) The Imam should necessarily be infallible. Reason requires so. Dr. Allama Hilli has established this fact through two thousand arguments. One many refer to the book Alfain. There should be God’s Authority over the earth.