Imamate: Difference between revisions

'''Imamate''' (Arabic: {{ia|الإمامة}}), from Shi'a point of view, is the leadership of the Islamic society, designated by God to succeed the Holy Prophet (s) 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 Holy 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 [['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 Khumm]].

[[Sunni]] Muslims also emphasize on the necessity of an Imam and to obey him, however, they believe that it is upon the Muslim umma to elect an Imam and that the Holy Prophet (s) has not appointed any person as his successor.

Literally, imamate means leadership and the word imam refers to one or thing followed by people. Accordingly, different examples for this meaning have been provided in Arabic dictionaries such as the glorious [[Qur'an]], the Prophet's (s) successor, [[imam of congregational prayer]], a commander of an army, a guide of passengers, a caravan leader, a camel herder, and a scholar who is followed.<ref>Ibn Faris, ''Mu'jam maqayis'', p.48; Fayyumi, ''al-Misbah al-munir'', vol.1, p.31-32; Ibn Manzur, ''Lisan al-'Arab'', vol.1, p.157; Raghib al-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: [[al-Lawh al-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 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" (Quran 17:71).

The second definitions are those which regard imamate as the succession of [[the Prophet (s)]] in religious affairs and consider following imam obligatory.<ref>Hilli, ''al-Bab al-hadi 'ashar'', p.66; Fadil al-Miqdad, ''Irshad al-talibin'', p.325-326; Fadil al-Miqdad, ''al-Lawami' al-ilahiyya'', p.319-320; Sayyid al-Sharif, ''Sharh al-mawaqif'', vol.8, p.345; Amidi, ''Abkar al-afkar'', vol.3, p.416; Taftazani, ''Sharh al-maqasid'', vol.5, p.234</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 compared with [[Sunni]]s. In Shi'a culture, imamate includes more duties and responsibilities, in addition to those of a caliph. 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 among Muslims also becomes obvious when the matter is historically studied. After [[the Prophet (s)]] passed away, the most important and critical issue debated and discussed 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 the Islamic society after the Prophet (s) is 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 Khalifat Allah [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 succession of [[God]] and His Prophet (s).<ref>Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', vol.1, p.155</ref>

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, "and when his Lord tested Abraham with certain words, and he fulfilled them, He said, 'I am making you the Imam of mankind.' Said he, 'And from among my descendants?' He said, 'My pledge does not extend to the unjust.'" (Quran 2:124)

The importance of imamate is evident in hadiths mentioned about the [[al-Ikmal Verse]]<ref>Qur'an 5:3</ref> [perfection of religion]. 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 [[Imam 'Ali (a)|'Ali (a)]] as the leader of Islamic society after himself.<ref>Amini, ''al-Ghadir'', vol.1, p.230-236; Bahrani, ''Ghayat al-maram'', vol.3, p.328-340</ref> Accordingly, [[Islam]] reached its desired perfection through imamate.

According to the glorious [[Qur'an]], on the [[Day of Judgment]], everyone goes to his own leader, "The day We shall summon every group of people with their imam" (Quran 17:71).