Imam -asws and his Powers and Responsibilities...
Imam -asws and his Powers and Responsibilities: عن طارق بن شهاب عن أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام انه قال: يا طارق الامام كلمة الله وحجة الله ووجه الله ونور الله وحجاب الله وآية الله يختاره الله ويجعل فيه ما يشاء ويوجب له بذلك الطاعة والولاية على جميع خلقه فهو وليه في سماواته وأرضه، أخذ له بذلك العهد على جميع عباده، فمن تقدم عليه كفر بالله من فوق عرشه، فهو يفعل ما يشاء وإذا شاء الله شاء.
ويكتب على عضده: ” وتمت كلمة ربك صدقا وعدلا ” فهو الصدق والعدل وينصب له عمود من نور من الارض إلى السماء يرى فيه أعمال العباد، ويلبس الهيبة وعلم الضمير، ويطلع على الغيب، ويرى ما بين المشرق والمغرب فلا يخفى It is narrated by ‘Al-Barisi in Mashariq-ul-Anwar that once Tariq bin Shihab asked: “O Ameer al-Momineen -asws please explain the virtues of an Imam (masoom), Ameer al-Momineen -asws replied: ‘O Tariq, the Imam is the ‘Kalima-tul-Allah’ word of Allah; ‘Hujat-Allah the proof of Allah; Waj-Allah’ the direction to Allah; ‘Noor-Allah ’ the light of Allah; ‘Hijab-Allah’ the veil of Allah and ‘ Ayat-Allah ’ the sign of Allah [4] .
He -asws is chosen by Allah -azwj who bestows onto him whatever (qualities, perfections) He -azwj Chooses, and Makes it compulsory on all His -azwj creatures to Obey him-the Imam -asws . Thus he is Allah -azwj ’s appointed ruler in the heavens and on the earth. Allah -azwj has taken a covenant regarding this from all His servants. Whosoever precedes the Imam -asws has denied established kingdom of Allah -azwj .
An Imam -asws can act as he finds it appropriate; however his actions only correspond to the will of Allah -azwj . The Imam -asws is the guide for the seekers of the truth, an inspiration for the rightly guided, an established path for the travellers to Allah -azwj and a radiant sun in the hearts of al-Arifoon- the devotees of Allah -azwj . His ‘Wilayah’ is the vehicle leading to salvation.
Wilayah is to safeguard followers from danger and disasters and the management of their all affairs, even down to demarcating the days and the months’.