Welcome to this week’s episode of the series Let’s Know Islam. Today, we follow upon the topic of Imamate, and intend to speak about the status of Infallible Imams and the Prophet of Islam’s Infallible Household as the solid pillar of religion and the Ark of Salvation of mankind, based on the Infallible Imams’ remarks.

In accordance to countless hadiths, the Prophet of Islam’s Infallible Household and Imams are introduced as the successors of Prophet Mohammad. Prophet Mohammad was the scientific and religious source of reference for people in his auspicious and blessed lifetime, and upon his demise, his infallible successors play the same role, and people should refer to them.

The 3^rd Infallible Imam  of Prophet Mohammad’s Infallible Household, Imam Hussein (Peace be upon him), noted: “God Almighty appointed His servitude, Mohammad, to prophet hood, and we, as the Prophet’s Household, were Prophet Mohammad’s heirs and closest figures to his status among people. But, they replaced us by other individuals.”

The Prophet of Islam, based on a well-known hadith, has placed Holy Quran and Prophet’s Infallible Household next to each other. This remark of the Prophet of Islam clearly and appropriately shows that the Prophet’s Infallible Household are the scientific, religious, political, and social source of reference of people after the demise of Prophet Mohammad. In other words, as Holy Quran is one of the sources for understanding Islam and Islamic teachings; the Prophet’s Infallible Household is also considered as the true exegetes of the Word of God, and a reliable source for appropriately understanding the divine religion.

The First Infallible Successor to Prophet Mohammad, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him), has introduced Prophet’s Household as a complete role model for guidance of mankind and recognition of the righteous path, noting: “Look up to your Prophet’s Household, accompany them in their righteous path and approach and follow them. They never misguide you.”

So, given that the Prophet’s Household are the source of guidance to righteous path, we should not let go of them and should not turn to others. Meanwhile history attests that a few derailed from the righteous path after the demise of Prophet of Islam, and thereby faced several seditions and woes. Imam Ali (AS) in protest to those, who were deceived, disillusioned and lost, notes: How come you were disillusioned, while you had the Prophet’s Household among you, who are the pioneers of righteousness, and signs of religion and honesty?

In elaboration of the issue of Imamate, the 8^th Infallible Imam of Prophet’s Household, Imam Reza (AS), in his remarks, refers to the 3^rd ayah of Surat al-Ma’idah, which was descended upon the Prophet throughout his farewell Hajj pilgrimage, in the waning years of his lifetime.

This ayah partly notes: “… Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion…”

Imam Reza (AS), in elaboration of this ayah, notes:” The topic of Imamate is rooted in the perfection of religion; and the Prophet of Islam, before his demise, expressed the signs of religion for people; clarified their path, and guided Ummah to righteousness; appointed Ali as their guide and Imam, and met their needs.”

God has drawn boundaries and has set a number of regulations for the life of mankind and has called on man to safeguard these regulations and boundaries. This is because otherwise mankind would suffer from corruption, and would derail from the righteous path. Imam’s role, as a trustworthy ruler, is to implement these regulations within the community and prevent people from wrongdoing and corruption.

One of the main reasons behind the need for Imam is that the community needs a prudent leader who would organize and arrange the affairs, would protect and defend righteousness, and would liberate people from the yoke of oppressors. Imam Reza notes: “We never find any group who would continue its existence in the absence of a ruler or a caretaker, because in order to administer any group’s material and spiritual matters, there is need for a prudent ruler. People should have a ruler, who would reinforce and sustain the community; would guide them in battle with enemies; would divide public assets among them; would observe their Friday and congregational prayers, and would prevent the injustices of oppressors against the downtrodden.”

In this manner, Imam should be the most merited and vigilant individual for leadership of the community. In the view of Imam Ali (AS); capability, knowledge, and awareness are the necessary conditions for Imamate and leadership of the community.

Imam resembles a solid fortification for religion, which protects the divine religion from any possible derailment. Imam safeguards religion from the ignorant individuals.

Imam Reza (AS) notes: “If God would have not appointed a trustworthy and reliable caretaker and ruler for people, the divine tradition would have surely vanished and divine rules and traditions would have changed; disbelievers would have derailed the divine religion, stirring a number of shortcomings; and would have cast doubts among people about Islam.”

Imams, as role models who had captured the attention of the public opinion, played a decisive role in the ethical upbringing of people and their spiritual growth and elevation. History attests that whenever an unjust ruler obstructed people’s bond with Imams, people rushed toward and resorted to the Prophet’s Infallible Household, because they believed that Prophet’s Infallible Household were the closest individuals to Prophet of God, and a reliable source of reference.

The scientific status of Imams among people was so elevated that scientists in all eras felt a sense of need for Imams. Obviously, the role of Imams was not restricted to the education of Shia Ulema and thinkers, and in fact Imams also enlightened the scientists of other Islamic denominations. History attests that many Sunni theologians referred to the Prophet’s Infallible Household for acquirement of knowledge.

The scientific status of the Prophet’s Infallible Household was so elevated and prominent that even some of the caliphs sought the advices of Prophet’s Household in ideological matters, and in rule of the Islamic lands. For instance, Omar Ibn Khattab consulted with Imam Ali (AS) in administration of affairs and in regard to battles and conquests such as the conquest of Bait ul-Moqaddas, and the battle with Iran. Omar also consulted with Imam Ali (AS) on judicial affairs, benefitting from the vast knowledge of Imam Ali (Peace be upon him).

The valuable remarks of Infallible Imams show their deep-rooted understanding of Islamic and Quranic teachings, and the countless hadiths which have been cited from Imams in different encyclopedias shape an original and valuable source for understanding the sacred religion of Islam.

Imams were against going to extremes in religious affairs and moved based on the true Islam, which is moderate, balanced, wise, and prudent. Thus, hadiths call on people to accompany the Infallible Imams in religious and social matters. The 4^th Infallible Imam of Prophet’s Household, Imam Sajjad (AS) notes: “Prophet’s Household resemble a ship which is sailing on turbulent waters. Anyone who boards this ship is safe and whoever is left behind is drowned. Anyone who joins the Prophet’s Household, reaches the destination.”

Imam Reza noted: “Imam governs religion and the ruling system of Muslims. Imam is the goodness of the world; and a source of honor for the faithful. Imam is the root of divine religion of Islam. Thanks to the existence of Imam; daily prayers, Zakat, fasting, Hajj pilgrimage, and Jihad are appropriately observed. Thanks to existence of Imam; Islamic rulings are enforced, and the boundaries of Islamic lands are safeguarded. Imam materials God’s instructions and supports the divine religion, while guiding people to the path of God with prudence and appropriate advice.”

MR/MG