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Shia regards imamate one of the Islamic doctrines of faith, but Mu’tazilites, Asharites and other Islamic schools consider it among Furu’ [secondary beliefs]. Accordingly, Shia have a more prominent position for imamate comparing with Sunnis. In Shia culture, imamate includes more affairs than caliphate alone. Its importance can be clearly understood from verses of the Qur’an and hadiths about imamate because according to Shia, imamate is in fact a matter similar to prophethood. | Shia regards imamate one of the Islamic doctrines of faith, but Mu’tazilites, Asharites and other Islamic schools consider it among Furu’ [secondary beliefs]. Accordingly, Shia have a more prominent position for imamate comparing with Sunnis. In Shia culture, imamate includes more affairs than caliphate alone. Its importance can be clearly understood from verses of the Qur’an and hadiths about imamate because according to Shia, imamate is in fact a matter similar to prophethood. | ||
== Imamate and Caliphate == | === Imamate and Caliphate === | ||
The special position of imamate is obvious among Muslims also when historically studied. After the Prophet (s) passed away, the most important and critical issue among Muslims was imamate. No other religious teaching has ever been argued over like imamate has. | The special position of imamate is obvious among Muslims also when historically studied. After the Prophet (s) passed away, the most important and critical issue among Muslims was imamate. No other religious teaching has ever been argued over like imamate has. | ||
Leadership of Islamic society after the Prophet (s) is also called both caliphate and imamate and the one who take over this position is called both caliph and imam. From the point that people have to follow him, he is called imam and from the point that his leadership is in succession of the Prophet (s), he is called caliph. Therefore in Islam, Imam is the caliph and successor of the Prophet (s). However, about the question whether he can be called as Khalifatallah [vicegerent of Allah], there are two opinions among Sunni scholars; some regarded it permissible and some others considered it impermissible. Ahl al-Bayt (a) have also regarded imamate as vicegerency of God and His Prophet (s). | Leadership of Islamic society after the Prophet (s) is also called both caliphate and imamate and the one who take over this position is called both caliph and imam. From the point that people have to follow him, he is called imam and from the point that his leadership is in succession of the Prophet (s), he is called caliph. Therefore in Islam, Imam is the caliph and successor of the Prophet (s). However, about the question whether he can be called as Khalifatallah [vicegerent of Allah], there are two opinions among Sunni scholars; some regarded it permissible and some others considered it impermissible. Ahl al-Bayt (a) have also regarded imamate as vicegerency of God and His Prophet (s). | ||
== Imamate as the Divine Promise == | === Imamate as the Divine Promise === | ||
The glorious Qur’an has regarded Imamate higher than prophethood, because about the Prophet Abraham (a), it has mentioned that after he (a) achieved the position of prophethood and was successful in trials and divine tests, the position of Imamate was granted to him. | The glorious Qur’an has regarded Imamate higher than prophethood, because about the Prophet Abraham (a), it has mentioned that after he (a) achieved the position of prophethood and was successful in trials and divine tests, the position of Imamate was granted to him. | ||
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Moreover, in this verse, God refers to Imamate as His promise. Therefore, this position is not a choice of people. This has also been mentioned in hadiths. | Moreover, in this verse, God refers to Imamate as His promise. Therefore, this position is not a choice of people. This has also been mentioned in hadiths. | ||
== Imamate as the Cause of Religion’s Perfection == | === Imamate as the Cause of Religion’s Perfection === | ||
One of the hadiths which have been mentioned as the cause of revelation from the verse Ikmal al-din [perfection of religion] is the great position of imamate. According to these hadiths, the mentioned verse has been revealed about the event of Ghadir Khumm when by the order of God, the Prophet (s) introduced Ali (a) as the leader of Islamic society after himself. Accordingly, Islam reached its desired perfection through Imamate. | One of the hadiths which have been mentioned as the cause of revelation from the verse Ikmal al-din [perfection of religion] is the great position of imamate. According to these hadiths, the mentioned verse has been revealed about the event of Ghadir Khumm when by the order of God, the Prophet (s) introduced Ali (a) as the leader of Islamic society after himself. Accordingly, Islam reached its desired perfection through Imamate. | ||
The verse of Tabligh is also referring to the same issue; since, according to this verse and the hadiths about the cause of its revelation, Imamate has such a great position that if the Prophet (s) did not announce it, it was as if he (a) had not accomplished his mission and his efforts would be lost. | The verse of Tabligh is also referring to the same issue; since, according to this verse and the hadiths about the cause of its revelation, Imamate has such a great position that if the Prophet (s) did not announce it, it was as if he (a) had not accomplished his mission and his efforts would be lost. | ||
== Importance of Imamate on the Day of Judgment == | === Importance of Imamate on the Day of Judgment === | ||
According to the glorious Qur’an, on the Day of Judgment, everyone goes to his own leader: | According to the glorious Qur’an, on the Day of Judgment, everyone goes to his own leader: | ||
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* Mu’tazilites: Mu’tazilites, Maturidites, Abadiyyas and a group of Zaydis regarded imamate incumbent upon people. Some Mu’tazilites regarded the necessity of imam rational and some others considered it necessary due to hadiths. | * Mu’tazilites: Mu’tazilites, Maturidites, Abadiyyas and a group of Zaydis regarded imamate incumbent upon people. Some Mu’tazilites regarded the necessity of imam rational and some others considered it necessary due to hadiths. | ||
== Reasons for Necessity of Imamate == | |||
=== Verse of Uli al-Amr === | |||
“O you who have faith! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those vested with authority among you.” (4:59) | “O you who have faith! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those vested with authority among you.” (4:59) | ||
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Taftazani refers to this reason and says. “the necessity of obedience from Uli al-Amr requires its actualization.” | Taftazani refers to this reason and says. “the necessity of obedience from Uli al-Amr requires its actualization.” | ||
=== Hadith “Man mata…” === | |||
The Prophet (s) said, “One who dies not knowing Imam of his time, dies the death of ignorance.” | The Prophet (s) said, “One who dies not knowing Imam of his time, dies the death of ignorance.” | ||
Some Islamic theologians has interpreted this hadith as the reason for the necessity of imamate, since according to this hadith, knowing Imam at any time is a religious duty and requires constant existence of Imam. | Some Islamic theologians has interpreted this hadith as the reason for the necessity of imamate, since according to this hadith, knowing Imam at any time is a religious duty and requires constant existence of Imam. | ||
=== Tradition of Muslims === | |||
Some theologians have regarded the tradition of Muslims as the reason for necessity of imamate since it can be understood from the tradition of Muslims that they have considered the necessity of imamate a certain and unshakable issue. The disagreement between Shia and Sunnis has been actually over the case of imamate, not its principle. Abu Ali and Abu Hashim Jubba’i and some others have referred to the consensus of Companions on necessity of imamate. | Some theologians have regarded the tradition of Muslims as the reason for necessity of imamate since it can be understood from the tradition of Muslims that they have considered the necessity of imamate a certain and unshakable issue. The disagreement between Shia and Sunnis has been actually over the case of imamate, not its principle. Abu Ali and Abu Hashim Jubba’i and some others have referred to the consensus of Companions on necessity of imamate. | ||
=== Qa’idih Lutf [Rule of Kindness] === | |||
The most important rational reason theologians bring for necessity of Imamate is the Rule of Kindness. Shia theologians consider Imamate a clear example of the Rule of Kindness and have said that God should be kind to His servants and appointing and introducing Imam is an act of kindness, thus imamate is incumbent upon God. | The most important rational reason theologians bring for necessity of Imamate is the Rule of Kindness. Shia theologians consider Imamate a clear example of the Rule of Kindness and have said that God should be kind to His servants and appointing and introducing Imam is an act of kindness, thus imamate is incumbent upon God. | ||
To explain that imamate is an act of kindness, Sayyid Murtada said, | To explain that imamate is an act of kindness, Sayyid Murtada said, | ||
“We know that human beings have rational duties and we know that the duty-bound are not infallible. Therefore, the reason for necessity of imamate is that any intelligent person who is familiar with the common sense and the tradition of the wise would know that whenever there is a competent and wise leader in a society who stand against tyranny and evil and defends justice and human values, social situation will be readier for development of virtues and values and this nothing but God’s grace, since kindness is what causes the duty-bound turn to obedience and virtues and turn away from vices and evil. Therefore, imamate is an act of kindness towards the duty-bound.” | “We know that human beings have rational duties and we know that the duty-bound are not infallible. Therefore, the reason for necessity of imamate is that any intelligent person who is familiar with the common sense and the tradition of the wise would know that whenever there is a competent and wise leader in a society who stand against tyranny and evil and defends justice and human values, social situation will be readier for development of virtues and values and this nothing but God’s grace, since kindness is what causes the duty-bound turn to obedience and virtues and turn away from vices and evil. Therefore, imamate is an act of kindness towards the duty-bound.” | ||
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Imams of Shia re twelve people from the progeny of the Prophet (s) who are intellectual, spiritual and political leaders of Shia. The first one of whom was Imam Ali (a) and the rest are Imam Ali (a) and Lady Fatima’s (s) children and grandchildren. According to Shia beliefs, after the Prophet (s), leadership of the Islamic society would always be upon Imams (a) who have been appointed by God. These Imams (a) have God-given knowledge, infallibility and the rights of intercession and by making Tawassul to them, one can become close to God. In addition to authority in religious teachings, these twelve Imams (a) have political leadership of the society as well. There are many hadiths from the Prophet (s) which have described their attributes and mentioned their names and show that all of them are from Quraysh and among the Ahl al-Bayt (a) of the Prophet (s) and the Promised Mahdi (a) is the last one of them. | Imams of Shia re twelve people from the progeny of the Prophet (s) who are intellectual, spiritual and political leaders of Shia. The first one of whom was Imam Ali (a) and the rest are Imam Ali (a) and Lady Fatima’s (s) children and grandchildren. According to Shia beliefs, after the Prophet (s), leadership of the Islamic society would always be upon Imams (a) who have been appointed by God. These Imams (a) have God-given knowledge, infallibility and the rights of intercession and by making Tawassul to them, one can become close to God. In addition to authority in religious teachings, these twelve Imams (a) have political leadership of the society as well. There are many hadiths from the Prophet (s) which have described their attributes and mentioned their names and show that all of them are from Quraysh and among the Ahl al-Bayt (a) of the Prophet (s) and the Promised Mahdi (a) is the last one of them. | ||
There are clear hadiths from the Prophet (s) about imamate of Imam Ali (a), the first Imam. Also, there are definite hadiths from the Prophet (s) and Imam Ali (a) about the imamate of the second Imam and respectively Imams (a) have clearly mentioned the Imams after them. According to these hadiths, | There are clear hadiths from the Prophet (s) about imamate of Imam Ali (a), the first Imam. Also, there are definite hadiths from the Prophet (s) and Imam Ali (a) about the imamate of the second Imam and respectively Imams (a) have clearly mentioned the Imams after them. According to these hadiths, | ||
Imams (a) are 12 and their names are: | Imams (a) are 12 and their names are: | ||