Imamate: Difference between revisions

Since Sunnites consider imam only a political leader of the society, they mention establishment of a government, performance of ordinary responsibilities of the government and management of the society as the philosophy for the existence of imam.

For example, from Mu'tazilite viewpoint, performing religious rulings, guarding the existence of the Islamic society, preparing and mobilizing soldiers to fight with the enemy and such affairs are included in responsibilities of the Imam.

However, Twelver shi'a have stated two kind of goals for the existence of Imam:

The first kind are the same practical goals and benefits Sunnites have mentioned. Accordingly, preserving the Muslims' social system, establishing social justice, Islamic rulings especially those with collective aspects and performing religious punishments have been mentioned among the goals of imamate. However, another area which covers the most important goals of imamate include: delivering, preserving and explaining religion.

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 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.

Qiyas, Istihsan and other non-certain methods are regarded inv'Alid by shi'a, since we do not have any authentic rational or legitimate proof according to which such methods can be used in the process of judgment. For example, fasting the last day of Ramadan is obligatory, the first day of Shawwal forbidden and the second day of Shawwal is recommended while these days are the same apparently. Therefore, just based on their similarity, one cannot extend the ruling for one to another.

From shi'a viewpoint, the Prophet (s) has delivered Islam fully and there has not been any deficiency in it to be compensated by Qiyas or Istihsan. However, due to people's lack of maturity and lack of many issues at that time, many rulings would not be applied to common people at that time. The Prophet (s) taught these rulings to Imams after himself so that they later explain them to people.

Another criterion which necessitates the existence of imam and is mentioned among philosophies of the existence of imam is guarding religion. Accordingly, existence of imam helps religion to be saved from alterations, because the Qur'an has neither explained the details of rulings, nor does it speak by itself and needs interpretation. However since people's understanding of the Qur'an would be wrong, there is a need for those whose understanding of the Qur'an would be free from error or alteration. Their existence is a standard for recognizing others' misunderstandings and it would be what guards religion.

Moreover, rulings and teachings which have been narrated as agreed by consensus or by many people are few and do not cover all the rulings of religion. Also, consensus alone, without referring to the ideas of the Infallible (a) is inv'Alid. Therefore, the only way left is that religion would be guarded by an infallible imam (a), because then his opinion is all right due to his infallibility and through which other opinions interpreting the Qur'an and explaining religion can be evaluated.

Among other factors which necessitate the existence of Imam is explanation of those religious rulings and teachings which have not been explained by the Prophet (s) due to lack of time and appropriate situation and they have been left to imam for explanation.