Welcome to this week’s episode of the series Let’s Know Islam. Today, we continue our discussion about Imamate, in order to study other aspects of this important topic.

In accordance to divine blessings bestowed on creatures, every creature is divinely guided toward a set goal, which is growth and perfection. For instance, a tree is guided to grow and develop and to bear fruit. Each of the creatures covers their especial path, and is guided toward their destination. Mankind is also included in this general guidance. Given that mankind’s prosperity is achieved via man’s resolve, humans are guided through divine appointment of prophets, and invitation of man to the righteous path. Meanwhile, upon the demise of the Last and Greatest Messenger of God, Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), the guidance of mankind continues in another form. After the demise of Prophet of Islam, there is need for the infallible successors of the Prophet of Islam, in order to guide people to the right path, and to protect and safeguard Islamic teachings and values. Otherwise, the public guidance would have been left half-completed.

The Prophet of Islam was well-aware that religion, as a large social organization, should guide people for good; and naturally no social organization can continue to function without a merited and qualified caretaker. So, there is need for caretakers who protect religious rules and regulations, and guide mankind toward prosperity. Now, can one believe that the Prophet of Islam had forgotten the days after his demise?

If we pay attention to the style of leadership of Prophet Mohammad, many facts become crystal clear. For instance, whenever the Prophet intended to leave the city of Medina for a few days to observe Hajj rituals; to take part in a battle; or for any other reason; he chose a successor for administration of people’s affairs. Also, whenever the Prophet sent troops to a battlefield, he chose a commander for the Muslim troopers. Even, at times, the Prophet made all the necessary arrangements for appointment of another successor to the incumbent commander of troops, in case the related first commander would have been martyred in the battlefield. Even if the second commander were also martyred, the Prophet would choose another successor for him.

A precise and realistic glance at the managerial skills of the Prophet of Islam shows that the Prophet has never left Muslims on their own and has chosen a number of infallible figures as his successors for protection and maintenance of the divine religion of Islam.

As it was previously mentioned, for the guidance and salvation of mankind, two factors should be taken into consideration. Firstly, there is a need for a comprehensive and all-encompassing set of laws, which determine the outlines of human life. Holy Quran maintains that unique set of laws. Also, there is need for competent and knowledgeable leaders, who elaborate Quranic teachings and plans in an appropriate manner and in line with the logic of this Holy Book. This is because Holy Quran is the Holy Book consisting of divine rules, and Quranic goals only materialize if in addition to announcement of plans and instructions, there are skilled and qualified exegetes and implementers of the ayahs of Holy Quran.

One of the reasons behind the presence of Imam in human community is the necessity of presence of a perfect human being as the representative of God on Earth; a human being who has covered the path to perfection and fully mirrors ethical virtues. On this basis, with due regard to divine ayahs, Imamate can be considered as a principle, coordinated with the philosophy behind creation. By reference to ayahs of Holy Quran, one realizes that God has handed over whatever is in heavens and earth to mankind. So, mankind maintains an especial status within the universe and plays a pivotal role. Holy Quran clearly points out that God has bestowed all blessings on earth for the sake of mankind.

The 29^th ayah of Surat al-Baqarah notes: “It is He who created for you all that is in the earth, then He turned to the heaven, and fashioned it into seven heavens, and He has knowledge of all things.”

The philosophy behind the creation of mankind is for him to cover the righteous path and to establish a strong bond with God Almighty.

God in Holy Quran invites mankind to worship the one and only creator of the world. Holy Quran points out that the goal behind creation of mankind and the universe is to test human beings, so that individuals would strive for attainment of prosperity by maintaining faith in God and carrying out good deeds.

God in the 7^th ayah of Surat al-Kahf notes: ‘Indeed We have made whatever is on the earth an adornment for it that We may test them to see which of them is best in conduct.”

The divine prophets and Imams have been perfect human beings and representatives of God on earth. In the view of Holy Quran, those who are representatives of God on earth are merited for the status of Imamate and for leading human beings.

Holy Quran, in regard to David, firstly mentions him as a representative of God on earth, and thereafter refers to his other aspects.

The 26^th ayah of Surat Saad in Holy Quran notes: “O David! Indeed We have made you a vicegerent on the earth. So judge between people with justice, and do not follow desire, or it will lead you astray from the way of Allah.”

An Infallible Imam, in any phase in time, exemplifies the perfect human being, who appropriately realizes the righteous path and does not deviate from the righteous path in his views and practice. The world has been created for such a human being.

It is important to note that Islam has not just presented a series of ideal plans and instructions, and has also presented a number of practical role models. These role models should be infallible in order to influence thoughts and minds.

The Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) is a role model for man.

The 21^st ayah of Surat al-Ahzab notes: “In the Apostle of Allah there is certainly for you a good exemplar, for those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remember Allah greatly.”

After the demise of the Prophet of Islam, the Infallible Imam, as his successor, is a role model for the community. The Infallible Imam is the manifestation of a perfect human being. Naturally, if these actual role models do not exist in the community, fake role models would capture the attention of people via a number of deceptive approaches.

The Infallible Imam in fact transforms the Islamic ideals into reality. Meanwhile, Imamate is not limited to a particular phase in time. As long as this world and mankind remain, the presence of the Infallible Imam is essential for understanding divine teachings.

MR/MG