Imamate: Difference between revisions

'''Imamate''' (Arabic:{{ia| إمامة }}/Persian: {{ia|امامت}}) is the leadership of the Islamic society in all religious and worldly affairs. It is among the [[principles of Shi'a school]] and one of the points of difference between [[Shi'a]] and [[Sunni]]s. The importance of this principle among shi'a led them to be titled as [[Imamiyya]]. According to shi'a teachings, [[the Prophet (s)|the noble Prophet (s)]] made a lot of efforts to introduce his [[caliphate|caliph]] and the leader of Muslims after himself since the beginning of his mission. His efforts towards this aim began since his first public invitation by introducing [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] as his caliph and successor and continued until the last days of his life on the way back from [[Hajjat al-wida']] on [[Dhu l-Hijja 18]] in [[Event of Ghadir|Ghadir]].

According to Islamic references, the number of shi'a Imams (a) is twelve; the first of whom was Imam 'Ali (a) and the last one of them will be [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]]. After Imam 'Ali (a), [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and then his brother [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] became Imam and after these three, nine sons among every generation of the children of Imam al-Huasyn (a) became Imam.

The existence of Imam is for preserving and religion and correctly explaining religious teachings; therefore, to do his duties better, it is necessary for Imam to have [[Infallibility|the power to abandon sins]], [['Ilm al-ghayb|God-given knowledge]] and [[Wilaya]] (guardianship) from [[God]].

Literally, imamate means leadership and the word imam refers to one or thing followed by people. Accordingly, different examples for this meaning have been given in Arabic dictionaries such as the glorious [[Qur'an]], the Prophet's (s) successor, imam in [[congregational prayer]], commander of an army, guide of passengers, caravan leader and a scholar who is followed.<ref>Ibn Faris, ''Mu'jam al-Maqayis'', p.48; Fayyumi, ''al-Misbah al-munir'', vol.1 p.31-32; Ibn Manzur, ''Lisan al-'Arab'', vol.1 p.157; Raghib Isfahani, ''al-Mufradat'', p.24; Shartuni, ''Aqrab al-mawarid'', vol.1 p.19</ref>

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>

=== Applied Meaning ===

This way, it can be said that the definition of imamate as the "leadership of the Islamic society in religious and worldly affairs as the successor of the Prophet (s)" is accepted by all Islamic schools.<ref>Fayyad Lahiji, ''Gowhar-i murad'', p.461-462; ''Sarmayiyi iman'', p.107</ref>

Shi'a regards imamate one of the Islamic doctrines of faith, but [[Mu'tazilites]], [['Asharites]] and other Islamic schools consider it among [[Furu' al-din|Furu']] [secondary beliefs]. Accordingly, shi'a have a more prominent position for imamate comparing with [[sunni]]s. In shi'a culture, imamate includes more affairs than caliphate alone. Its importance can be clearly understood from verses of the [[Qur'an]] and [[hadith]]s about imamate because according to shi'a, imamate is in fact a matter similar to prophethood.

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.<ref>Subhani, ''al-Milal wa l-nihal'', vol.1 p.22</ref>

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.<ref>Ibn Khaldun, ''Muqaddama'', p.191</ref> [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] have also regarded imamate as vicegerency of [[God]] and His Prophet (s).<ref>Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', vol.1 p.155</ref>

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 [[hadith]]s.<ref>Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', vol.1 p.133-134,149-151,154; Bahrani, ''Ghaya al-maram'', vol.3 p.127-129; ''al-Burhan'', vol.1 p.149-151</ref>

"The difference between prophethood and explanation of the knowledge of the noble Prophet (s) is obvious and does not need much explanation; as prophethood means that the Prophet (s) receives [[revelation]], hears God's word, sees His messenger and either delivers an independent religion or preaches the religion before himself.