Welcome to today’s episode of the series Let’s Know Islam. Today, we discuss the topic of Imamate.

In the previous weeks, it was mentioned that mankind maintains countless talents and abilities, and the path is paved for the growth and development of mankind. God Almighty, who is well aware of the delicate aspects of His creatures, has bestowed innumerable talents to mankind and has shown the path of development to him. God has sent prophets with their heavenly books to show the righteous path to mankind and to actualize man’s God-given aptitudes. In relation to the topic of prophet hood, it was reminded that awareness and knowledge is not adequate for growth of mankind, and it is in fact necessary to also present actual and tangible role models; with the assistance of which people would find the right path. There should be role models who guide people to the right path; and distinguish righteousness from falsehood.

In previous weeks, it was stated that the Last and Greatest Messenger of God, Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) presented the most comprehensive teachings to mankind. The divine religion which he established, guides mankind in all phases in time. The sacred religion of Islam is characterized by its ability to match the conditions of any era. Thus, Islam has remained alive and eternal throughout the course of history. In this manner, after the demise of Prophet Mohammad, the divine guidance of mankind has not ended, given that man has maintained access to the divine religion of Islam and Holy Quran.

Now, the question which arises is that given the continuous need of mankind to guidance, and the fact that Prophet of Islam was the Last Messenger of God, how will the ideological problems of man be solved?

In response, it should be said that based on divine justice, the need of generations of mankind to guidance doesn’t remain unanswered in any phase in time. In accordance to prudence and wisdom, following the demise of the Prophet, there should be individuals who would take care of religious matters; protect the divine religion; and implement religious principle and plans in the community. Meanwhile, everyone believes that the Prophet of Islam tolerated all hardships and made every effort to promote the divine religion of Islam. Undoubtedly, such an infallible figure could not remain indifferent toward the fate of Islam, which was exposed to many threats. At this stage, the Prophet was instructed by God to delegate the responsibility of protection of Islam and Islamic Ummah to those, who were merited and qualified. In a hadith cited from the Prophet of Islam, he introduces two important sources of guidance for Islamic Ummah, in the era after the Prophet, which are Holy Quran and the Prophet of Islam’s Infallible Household (Peace be upon them). This hadith is the most credible hadith which Muslim Ulema and scientists have cited from Prophet Mohammad.

The Islamic scientists and researchers have attributed the citation of this hadith to thirty disciples of Prophet Mohammad. Based on the writings of Shia and Sunni hadith scholars and historians, the Prophet of Islam has drawn the attention of people to the profound bond between Holy Quran and Prophet’s Infallible Household, on several occasions, and has in this manner drawn the path to the future.

Now, the question which springs to mind is why has Prophet Mohammad introduced his Infallible Household as a source for guidance and salvation of mankind, alongside Holy Quran?

As it was said, the Prophet of Islam brought the Heavenly Scripture for mankind which contained the most comprehensive plan for guidance of man until the Day of Resurrection. The ayahs of Holy Quran contain a series of Islamic heavenly principles, teachings, and rules and regulations, which secure man’s prosperity and salvation. However, the exegesis of the contents of Holy Quran should be carried out by those, who are well familiar with the divine revelations. Thus, qualified individuals for interpretation of Holy Quran and guidance of people should be introduced by Prophet Mohammad.

Naturally, the successors of the Prophet of Islam, who aim to guide the Islamic Ummah, should be immune from deviations and mistakes in the realms of science and in practice. Otherwise, they would derail from the right path and would mislead people.

The true and merited successors of the Prophet of Islam are characterized by their appropriate understanding of the language and logic of Holy Quran. They are also capable of interpretation of ayahs of the Heavenly Scripture, and can match these ayahs with the contemporary topics of importance. In fact, one of the reasons behind naming the Prophet of Islam’s Infallible Household alongside Holy Quran is that this Holy Book should be interpreted by highly knowledgeable individuals.

The Prophet of Islam noted that if people would resort to Holy Q      uran and the Prophet’s Infallible Household, they would not derail from the right path. What message is conveyed by these remarks to the contemporary mankind? Placement of Holy Quran and the Prophet’s Infallible Household alongside each other by the Prophet shows that both of them are within the same direction and path. One is the Word of God and the other is comprised of interpreters and implementers of this Holy Book. Based on this hadith, separation of Holy Quran and Prophet’s Infallible Household from each other only leads to misunderstanding.

MR/ME