Anonymous user
Imamate: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
imported>Shakeri |
imported>Shakeri No edit summary |
||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
=== Imam in the Qur’an === | === Imam in the Qur’an === | ||
In the | In the Qur’an, the word "imam" is used both for some human beings and for referring to other issues; non-human usages of this word are: Lawh mahfuz,<ref>Qur'an, 36:12</ref> an open highway<ref>Qur'an, 15:79</ref> and the Book of [[Moses (a)]].<ref>Qur'an, 11:17</ref> The usage of this word for humans has been two kinds: imam of the truth and imam of the falsehood. The cases of the imam of the truth are: prophets (s),<ref>Qur'an, 2:124, 21:73, 32:24</ref> righteous servants of [[God]]<ref>Qur'an, 25:74</ref> and the oppressed.<ref>Qur'an, 28:5</ref> | ||
Leaders of disbelief such as Pharaoh and his agents are imams of the falsehood in the | Leaders of disbelief such as Pharaoh and his agents are imams of the falsehood in the Qur’an.<ref>Qur'an, 9:12, 28:41</ref> | ||
Also in some cases, the word "imam" is used including all the mentioned usages, "The day We shall summon every group of people with their imam" (17:71) | Also in some cases, the word "imam" is used including all the mentioned usages, "The day We shall summon every group of people with their imam" (17:71) | ||
| Line 109: | Line 109: | ||
From the Twelver shi'a viewpoint, God has revealed religion to the Prophet (s) in complete form and the Prophet (s) has delivered it to Imams (a) in complete form so that they gradually explain all the rulings to people. | From the Twelver shi'a viewpoint, God has revealed religion to the Prophet (s) in complete form and the Prophet (s) has delivered it to Imams (a) in complete form so that they gradually explain all the rulings to people. | ||
Accordingly, details of the rulings related to worship, contracts, unilateral deals, heritage, punishments, blood-money are not mentioned in the | Accordingly, details of the rulings related to worship, contracts, unilateral deals, heritage, punishments, blood-money are not mentioned in the Qur’an and the conduct of the Prophet (s). What is mentioned is the general aspects of these rulings. The rulings we have received through hadiths of the Prophet (s) are limited and not all of them are authentic regarding their references. | ||
Therefore, to compensate for this deficiency, Sunnites have had to use means such as Qiyas [deduction by analogy], Istihsan [judicial preference] and other sources which do not bring about certitude. | Therefore, to compensate for this deficiency, Sunnites have had to use means such as Qiyas [deduction by analogy], Istihsan [judicial preference] and other sources which do not bring about certitude. | ||
| Line 127: | Line 127: | ||
== Attributes and Requirements of Imamate == | == Attributes and Requirements of Imamate == | ||
=== Infallibility === | === Infallibility === | ||
One of the conditions and requirements of imamate is his immaculacy from sins and error in carrying out his duties and mission. The reason for it is that imam is the successor of the Prophet (s) and the reference in religious rulings and teachings, the | One of the conditions and requirements of imamate is his immaculacy from sins and error in carrying out his duties and mission. The reason for it is that imam is the successor of the Prophet (s) and the reference in religious rulings and teachings, the Qur’an and the conduct of the Prophet (s). Therefore, he needs to be immaculate from sins and errors so that people can trust on him and his words. Otherwise, people’s trust would be lost and God’s goal from appointment of imams would be found meaningless. | ||
=== God-given Knowledge === | === God-given Knowledge === | ||
| Line 133: | Line 133: | ||
=== Wilayah === | === Wilayah === | ||
Wilaya is a closeness to God which brings about a certain power of influence for the closed one. This Wilaya has two types: in creation and in religion. Wilaya in creation or Wilaya over creation is Imam’s guardianship over creatures of the world and influencing on them. The other type is Wilaya in religion which includes Imam’s guardianship in interpretation and explanation of the | Wilaya is a closeness to God which brings about a certain power of influence for the closed one. This Wilaya has two types: in creation and in religion. Wilaya in creation or Wilaya over creation is Imam’s guardianship over creatures of the world and influencing on them. The other type is Wilaya in religion which includes Imam’s guardianship in interpretation and explanation of the Qur’an, the conduct of the Prophet (s) and leadership of the society. | ||
=== Authoritativeness of his Words and Necessity of his Obedience === | === Authoritativeness of his Words and Necessity of his Obedience === | ||