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This is a sub-article to Imamah (Shi'a doctrine).

This article is specifically about the Shi'a twelver concept of Imamah.

Imāmah (Template:Lang-ar) means "leadership" and it is a part of the Shi'a Roots of Religion: it is obligatory for all Shi'a twelver Muslims to believe in Imamah. They conclude that the Qur'an and the authentic collections of Hadith provide sufficient evidence that God has assigned certain people with the position of Imamah, or "leadership" to be custodian of the religion after his demise. Such a figure is referred to as an imam.

Introduction

Refer to Sahih Al-Bukari, Sahih Muslim (Books of Hadiths (or sayings of the prophet of Islam) of the Sunnis) etc. Muhammad is reported to have said that the Islamic leadership is in Koreish (i.e. his tribe) and that 12 "Imams" or "Princes" shall succeed him. There is a difference of opinion within Sunni and Shiite sects as to whom Muhammad was referring. It is also important to mention that Muhammad has stated, and this statement has been authenticated by Sunnis and Shiites alike, that "Whoever does not know the Imam of his Lifetime (i.e. recognizes the Leader of his time) has died the death of Ignorance". Again, this statement has different interpretations and consequences with different Sunni and Shiite sects (or Schools of thought). The idea of a prophet appointing a successor is also found in the Old Testament where Joshua son of Nun is declared Moses' successor or manager of his affairs after his death.

Shias believe that God has appointed certain members of humankind to be the leaders of those who believe in God and practise God's religion. When God's prophet has taught the people the religion, he will then appoint a leader, in accordance with God's orders, to guide believers towards perfection.

Shias believe that just as Moses appointed Aaron as his successor, in accordance with God's order, Muhammad, the final prophet, appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib to be the leader of the believers.

Responsibilities

Shias believe that an imam has several responsibilites. An imam must lead Muslims in all aspects of life. In addition, they believe that because an imam was appointed by God, like prophets and messengers, they are infallible. Shias accept the imams as perfect human beings. Shi'ism teaches that imams must be obeyed. A prophet can also be an imam, but not all prophets are imams. Muhammad is considered by Muslims to be God's final prophet. Shias do not consider that the twelve imams are prophets. They believe that these twelve imams are greater in status than all of God's prophets except Muhammad.

The Shi'a scholar Mohamed Baqer Al-Majlisi, widely considered as the greatest and most influential Shiite scholar of the Safawid era, states: Template:QuoteScholar

Definition

The Shi'a Twelver denomination of Islam consider it to be the highest level of responsibility given by God to a human.

Ranks

Shi'a believe there are different ranks that people have achieved:

Ordinary people

Shi'a believe that people are able to receive revelations/inspiration/guidance (Arabic: Wahy) from God. In support of this, they quote verse 16: 68 of the Qur'an where even bees are said to receive Wahy.

Communicating with angels

Some people raise to the rank of communicating with angels. Shi'a honour Fatima Zahra with a nickname implying this, and some honor her with writing a prophetic book after conversations with the Angel Gabriel, and the Qur'an also merits the Virgin Mary with having talked to Angels.

Prophets

Prophets (Arabic: Nabi) are considered people having the responsibility of sharing the Divine Law (Arabic Shari'a) that was revealed to the latest Messenger. However, they may also privately receive new laws which they are not responsible for sharing. There are considered to have been over 124 000 prophets.

Messenger

"Messenger" (Arabic Rasul) are considered people receiving a new set of laws from God, in addition of being a prophet.

Shi'as and Sunnis believe there are different status among nabis and rasuls, supported by this Qur'anic verse:

We have made some of these Messenger (Rasul) to excel the others among them are they to whom Allah spoke, and some of them He exalted by (many degrees of) rank... [2.253]

Leader

"Leader" (Arabic: Imam) are considered people having the responsibility of implementing the Divine Law (Arabic Shari'a), by leading a group of people, besides being a Messenger and Prophet.

Shi'a Twelver believe that five Messengers achieved the rank of Leadership:

Shi'as and Sunnis also believe there are different status among these five, Muhammad having the highest.

Non-prophets

Shi'a believe that Muhammad perfected the Divine Law (Qur'an 5:3), hence making it impossible to improve it further. This belief results in the role of the prophets and messengers becoming obsolete, since there are no further sets of laws to be received. However, Shi'a believe that the need for guidance that Leaders give is still present. Hence, they believe that after Muhammad, there have been non-prophet leaders.

The shi'i scholar 'Allamah Kashif al-Ghita said about the Imamah: Template:QuoteScholar

Shi'a believe that those are the rightful successors to Muhammad. They are regarded similar to the Caliph in Sunni Islam only with regards to the aspect of political leadership. In fact, the Shia Imam has many more characteristics and responsibilities than the Sunni concept of Caliph beyond mere political leadership. Unlike the Sunni Caliph, the Imam must be appointed by no one other than God. For details of the position held by a Shia Imam, see Imamah. The majority Shia belief is that the Imams are God appointed. After the prophet Muhammad, were Ali, and eleven of his descendants from his wife, Fatima Zahra. This belief is what led to the split between the Shi'a and Sunni, as the Shi'a felt that the descendants of Ali are the rightful successors to Muhammad, while the Sunni felt that it was any who could take the role of Caliph by the will of God and protect Islam. For details, see Succession to Muhammad.

Shi'a believe that non-prophet Leaders can have the same or even greater status than Leaders that also are prophet. For example, they believe that Ali held a higher status than Jesus, but lower than Muhammad. They base their conclusion on the Hadith of Jesus praying behind Mahdi.

Shi'as also believe that imams can perform miracles, intercede, and guide the faithful, including speaking in any language and in any accent, that they know about the past, the present and the future ^[1] that they know when they will die and they die only by their choice ^[2] and present narrations as proof. They also believe that it is disbelief to reject the Imamah-doctrine, but according to the sunnies, this idea is wiedley rejected becuase according to what the quran says( وَعِندَهُ مَفَاتِحُ الْغَيْبِ لاَ يَعْلَمُهَا إِلاَّ هُو 6.59)which means: And with Him (Allah) are the keys of the invisible. None but He knoweth them. Also according to the Quran nobody will or already does know when they will die, it says: وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَنْ تَمُوتَ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِ الله كِتَاباً مُّؤَجَّلاً which means (3.145 . No soul can ever die except by Allah ' s leave and at a term appointed ).

) ^[3]

Regarding rejecting the Imamah-doctrine, al-Hilli, a 14th century Shi'a Twelver Islamic scholar, writes: Template:QuoteScholar

When Sunnis accuse Shi'a of giving too much merit to the Shi'a Imams, Shi'a point to Sunni hadith giving similar honour to the Sunni Caliphs:

Qur'an

Abraham

In verse 2.124 of the Qur'an, it describes how Abraham was "promoted" from being a Messenger to a Leader. Shi'a Muslims believe this is a clear proof of the distinct status and responsibility of an Leadership (Arabic imamate).

Day of Judgement

In verse 17.71, the Qur'an describes that on the Day of Judgement, every person will be asked whom their imam is, to be judged as nations. Shi'a Muslims conclude therefore that the status of imamate is very important. They conclude that this proves that everyone does have an imam, whether he recognizes it or not.

Hadith

Some of the Hadith Shi'a base their arguments on include:

Hadith of Mubahela

Imams

According to the majority of Shi'a, namely the Ithna Ashariya, or Twelvers, the following is a listing of the rightful successors to Muhammad. Each Imam was the son of the previous Imam, except for Husayn ibn Ali who was the brother of Hasan ibn Ali.

Template:ColumHeader\|Number	Template:ColumHeader\|Name	Template:ColumHeader\|Lifespan, in CE	Template:ColumHeader\|Nickname	Template:ColumHeader\|Known by twelver's for	Template:ColumHeader\|Casuse of death
1	Ali	600 – 661	Amir al mo'mineen	Being the first Imam	Assassined
2	Hasan	625 – 669		Peace treaty with Muawiya	poisoned by Muawiya (Shi'a view).
3	Husayn	626 – 680		Battle of Karbala
4	Ali	658 – 713	Ali Zain al-Abedin	Mourning Karbala
5	Muhammad	676 – 743	Muhammad al-Baqir
6	Jafar	703 – 765	Jafar al-Sadiq	Educated the Sunni scholars
7	Musar	745 – 799	Musa al-Kazim
8	Ali	765 – 818	Ali al-Rida, Ali Reza
9	Muhammad	810 – 835	Muhammad al-Taqi, Muhammad al-Jawad
10	Ali	827 – 868	Ali al-Hadi, Ali al-Nadi
11	Hasan	846 – 874	Hasan al-Askari
12	Muhammad	868 – Present	Muhammad al-Mahdi		in occultation (twelvers view)

References

^ Usul al-Kafi by Muhammad Yaqoub Al-Kulayni vol. 1:260
^ Usul al-Kafi by Muhammad Yaqoub Al-Kulayni vol. 1:260
^ Talkhis ash-Shafi by Abu Jaafar Al-Tusi vol. 4 p. 131 (Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, Qum, 3rd ed.)

External links

[1] Usul al-Kafi by Muhammad Yaqoub Al-Kulayni vol. 1:260

[2] Usul al-Kafi by Muhammad Yaqoub Al-Kulayni vol. 1:260

[3] Talkhis ash-Shafi by Abu Jaafar Al-Tusi vol. 4 p. 131 (Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, Qum, 3rd ed.)

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@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 :''This article is specifically about the [[Shi'a]] [[twelver]] concept of Imamah.
-'''Imāmah''' means "[[Islamic leadership|leadership]]" and it is a part of the Shi'a [[Roots of Religion]]: it is obligatory for all Shi'a twelver Muslims to believe in Imamah. They conclude that the [[Qur'an]] and the authentic collections of [[Hadith]] provide sufficient evidence that God has assigned certain people with the position of Imamah, or "leadership" to be custodian of the religion after his demise. Such a figure is referred to as an imam.
+'''Imāmah''' ({{lang-ar|اٍمامة}}) means "[[Islamic leadership|leadership]]" and it is a part of the Shi'a [[Roots of Religion]]: it is obligatory for all Shi'a twelver Muslims to believe in Imamah. They conclude that the [[Qur'an]] and the authentic collections of [[Hadith]] provide sufficient evidence that God has assigned certain people with the position of Imamah, or "leadership" to be custodian of the religion after his demise. Such a figure is referred to as an imam.
 ==Introduction==