He guides others towards the true path.

He guides others towards the true path. He enlivens the Sunnah. He destroys innovations. His recognition is the cause of deliverance for the people. His rejection is the cause of eternal chastisement. He does not desire worldly power and authority. He does not crave for the treasures of the world. He makes manifest the signs of religion. He establishes peace and tranquility in Allah's cities. He provides shelter to His oppressed servants. He revives the forgotten commands. He is not a miser.

He is not ignorant. His traits and mannerisms are not evil and wicked. He is not a coward. He is not a corrupt. He does not destroy the Sunnah. Imam Ali (a.s.) highlights the above points in another sermon, 'Certainly, there is no obligation on the Imam except what has been devolved on him from Allah, namely to convey warnings, to exhort and advice, to revive the Sunnah, enforce penalties on those liable and issue shares to the deserving.' (Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 105, vol. 1, pg.

400, Ansariyan Publications) The Ahle Bait (a.s.) If we search for the cha racteristics of the rightly guided Imam, we find that these traits are present only in the pure and infallible members of the Ahle Bait (a.s.). Hazrat Ali (a.s.) exhorts, 'Look at the people of the Prophet's (s.a.w.a.) family - Ahle Bait (a.s.). Adhere to their direction. Follow their footsteps because they will never misguide you, and never throw you into destruction.

If they sit down, you too must sit down, and if they rise, you also rise. Do not go ahead of them, as you will go astray and do not lag behind them, as you will be ruined. (Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 97, vol. 1, pg. 378, Ansariyan Publications) 'Where are those people who have lied and have tormented us and have deceitfully claimed that they are 'the ones firmly rooted in knowledge' and not us?

📌(They lie against us and covet over position) because Allah, the All-Merciful has exalted our status and has made them inferior to us. He has conferred upon us an eminence from which He prevented them from surpassing us. He allowed us entry to the transcendental sphere of divine revelation, which He denied them. Remember that guidance could be acquired and ignorance could be dispelled through us only. Undoubtedly the Imams shall be from the Quraish, from the Bani Hashim.

This divine appointment has been made for this august progeny, and none else deserves this sublime and sacred rank.' (Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 144, vol. 1, pg.

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