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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Explanation to the Belief of Mahdism in Shi'a Imamia Reality of reason or audience ================================= Reality of reason, as the writer says, is it preferable over the reality of hearing? This is a question well drawn and it can be well answered. The subject of Imamate is like that of prophet hood and the conditions surrounding a prophet.

To prove a general Imam-hood, that is, the need for an Imam and the conditions of Imam; reason is enough to prove it. Had the issue of Imamate been one of those that remained out of the premises conception and reason, not independent enough to have say in it, the hearing of the proof would suffice like that of the Prophet’s (S) teachings. What the Prophet (S) has advocated or instructed is in itself a ground for the reason to be taken in account.

The condition that an Imam should have immunity from any wrong doings, that is, ‘Ismat, and for his appointment people have no part; it is reasonable. On the other hand, what is heard form the Prophet (S) in this regard is also a proof - a ground to establish the truth. What the Prophet (S) said and what we heard from him is alike with reason sufficient to establish the truth. Reason cannot accept what one accepts by hearing. For some items only hearing of the proof is essential.

For example, the existence of an Imam, the benefits, the blessings that ensue there from cannot be proved by reason; they can be established only by audible evidence. This is also applied to the prophet hood. With regards to a particular Imam, the previous one introduces the coming one, that is his successor - exactly the same as the prophets did. Jesus (as) foretold the prophet hood of Mohammed (S). The predecessor informs the people as to whom his successor is.

The testament of one prophet or Imam to the prophet-hood or the Imam-hood of the coming one is a proof to establish the truth of that prophet or the Imam. To explain here we should say that a miracle is a proof for the prophet. Almost all the prophets were blest with this power to perform miracles by the Greatness of God. The first Prophet cannot establish the truth unless he should show or comply with the demands to show a miracle.

God has sent His Prophet with the power to perform miracles because a miracle cannot be denied, and it establishes the truth of his being a prophet. A miracle is a proof that of reason and that of hearing.