Welcome to this week's episode of the series Let's Know Islam. Today, the question which is raised is who are the ones that shoulder the responsibility of guidance of mankind toward fulfillment of his duties, during the era of Major Occultation of the 12th Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household, Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance).

The social life of mankind, and his personal and spiritual perfection is in need of comprehensive laws, as well as just, and righteous leaders. As previously mentioned, God Almighty has declared the roadmap for a prosperous life via His messengers. In the final phase, the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) has brought about the most developed and comprehensive roadmap for the prosperity of mankind, within the framework of sacred religion of Islam.

Obviously, the rules and regulations which the Prophet of Islam promoted and made every effort to fulfill throughout his 23-year prophet hood, have not belonged to a limited period of time and a particular group of people. The Prophet of Islam and the Infallible Imams, as the role models of mankind, guided Muslims.

Now the question that springs to mind is that throughout the era of Occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS), who are the religious sources of reference, and who will respond to the religious questions of people?

As it is evident from the lives and traditions of the Infallible Imams, they made utmost efforts to educate scientists and jurisprudents, familiar with Islamic rulings and laws, via reference to Holy Quran and the traditions of the Prophet of Islam and Infallible Imams. These thinkers went to remote cities and presented Islamic teachings to people.

Reference to jurisprudents and narrators of hadiths was common throughout the eras of Infallible Imams. During the era of Imamate of the 6^th Infallible Successor to Prophet of Islam, Imam Jafar Sadeq (AS), he lived in the city of Medina. However, those who lived in Marv, or residents of other cities and remote regions who could not meet Imam Jafar Sadeq, were forced to learn their related topics of importance from the narrators of hadiths.

In this manner, in the era of Infallible Imams, religious Ulema were actively present in the scene. They established scientific communications between the Infallible Imams and people, and the Infallible Imams also referred people to religious Ulema for learning Islamic teachings.

However, given that in the era of Occultation, access to the Infallible Imam is not possible, this communication system completely changed. In this era, the role of prominent Ulema is revealed more than ever. These Ulema are profoundly familiar with the culture of narrations, and are capable of analyzing and interpreting them. A number of narrations have called on people to refer to Ulema and narrators of hadith throughout the era of Occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS).

During the eras of Infallible Imams, people found the answers to their questions from the Infallible Imams, in a direct or indirect manner. However, in the era of Occultation of Imam Mahdi, the situation is different. In this era, experts should study and research the existing hadiths via adoption of scientific approaches to find the corresponding answers. Thus, in the era of occultation of the Infallible Imam, the pious jurisprudents safeguard the sacred religion of Islam and shoulder the responsibility of elaboration of Islamic rulings.

So, in the era of occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS), prudent and pious Uelma and jurisprudents shoulder the leadership and guidance of Muslims on behalf of the Infallible Imam, leading the community toward Islamic goals.

In fact, Islamic Ulema and jurisprudents have always made every effort to safeguard Islamic beliefs and values. Throughout a number of eras, Islamic Ulema and jurisprudents have taken major strides for promotion of Islam via delivering sermons, authoring valuable books and articles, establishing seminaries, and debating with leading opponents. In this manner, the thirst of those, who sought the truth has been quenched via attending the classes of insightful and righteous Islamic Ulema.

Ulema have also played a significant role in prevention of any possible deviation from the divine religion of Islam.

In the era of Occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS), jurisprudents have protected the profound legacy of Islam and have made every effort to show the superiority of the Islamic path in provision of mankind's prosperity.

In the era of occultation of Infallible Imam, the enemies of Islam try in vain to undermine the ideological beliefs of Muslims. However, Ulema have always enlightened people, and have entered the scene to wipe out any sign of ignorance. Islamic Jurisprudents and Ulema have always selflessly staged scientific Jihads. The present day Islamic sciences such as the science of jurisprudence, exegesis of Holy Quran, theosophy, philosophy, and ethics are the outcomes of the courageous efforts of major thinkers in the field of Islamic teachings.

Thanks for tuning in today. Next week we will discuss the topic of Velayat-e Faqih; and the necessity of establishment of an Islamic ruling system in the era of Occultation of the Savior of Mankind, Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance).

MR/ME