ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Essence of Life (ain-al Hayat) عین الحیات Chapter 4: Refulgence Or Rays Of Light The First Ray Of Light: The Need For The Imam The Imam is the empowered entity who has been appointed by Allah as the Vicegerent of the Prophet (S) as guide for the spiritual and the temporal affairs of the believers. It has already been explained in the earlier chapter that guidance is not possible without the presence of the Prophet or his Vicegerents at all times.

Imam Ar-Ridha’ (as) has said that Allah has clearly ordered the people about the do’s and don’ts. He has also warned that the people should not go against His Commandments and become cause of controversy and punishment. Therefore it is imperative that the people have a mentor ordained by Allah who can enforce the Commandments and guide the people. If this were not the case then everyone would go his own way running after selfish motives.

Allah, therefore, in His wisdom, has nominated an Imam (as) for every period to prevent the people from discord and make them follow the norms laid down by Allah. It is an established fact that no society or sect has functioned without a leader. Then how was it possible for the all-knowing Allah to leave His Creations without an Imam to guide them on the right path. It is narrated that a group of people went to Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as).

At that moment the Imam (as) asked his student Hisham, to narrate the discussion he had with Umro bin Ubaid of Basra. Hisham said, “O Son of the Prophet (S)! I feel shy to speak in your presence.” The Imam (as) said, “you must comply with the orders of your Imam.” Hisham said, “O Imam (as)! There was a lot of talk about the erudition of Umro bin Ubaid in Basra and he used to lecture a group of Ahl-ul-Jamaa. Having heard a lot about him I went to the Basra Mosque to listen to his talk.

Umro was sitting proudly clad in the raiment of the learned. The people were asking him questions and he was answering them. I was seated in the back row. I stood up and asked him: O learned person! I am a traveller. Do I have your permission to ask you some questions. He replied, “yes.” I asked him, “do you have eyes?” He replied, “O son! What sort of question you asked?