Fiqh [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Fundamentals of Islam

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Roots of Religion

Tawheed

- (Oneness of Allah)
'Adl

- (Justice of Allah)
Nubuwwat

- (Prophethood)
Imamat

- (Guidance)
Qiyaamat

- (Resurrection)

Branches of Religion

Imamat

Imamat is the belief in the need for guides after the Holy Prophet (S).There are 12 such guides (A-immah).

A-immah is the plural of Imam. Imam means guide/leader.

Just like the Prophets, the A-immah have to have the following qualities:
be chosen by Allah,
be Ma'sum - not commit any sin, not even by mistake.
be able to perform miracles
be the most perfect person at that time(in their Akhlaq and Knowledge)

The A-immah (A) are 12 in number:
Imam Ali (A)
Imam Hasan (A)
Imam Husain (A)
Imam Ali Zainul Abideen (A)
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (A)
Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (A)
Imam Musa al-Kadhim (A)
Imam Ali ar-Ridha (A)
Imam Muhammad at-Taqi (A)
Imam Ali an-Naqi (A)
Imam Hasan al-Askari (A)
Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (A).

The 12th Imam, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi (A) is the Imam of our time and is still alive. This is why when we hear his name we should stand up and put our right hand on our head and bow our head down, to show our respect for him.

Our Holy Prophet (S) has said that any Muslim who dies without knowing the Imam of his time dies the death of a
non-believer.

Why do we need an Imam to guide us when the Holy Prophet (S) has taught us the whole of Islam and left behind the Holy Qur'an ?

The Imam (A) is there to help us and guide us when we do not understand something, also when we forget something, and to intervene on our behalf to Allah.

Once in a mosque in Iraq there was a man called Amr bin Ubayd who was telling the people that he did not believe in the need of an Imam.

Hisham, a young student of Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (A) asked Amr that if he was so sure that there was no need of an Imam, could he please answer some of his questions. Amr agreed.

Hisham asked Amr if he had eyes, to which Amr replied of course he had eyes.

Hisham then asked Amr what was the use of his eyes, to which Amr replied they were to see with.

Hisham then asked Amr if he had ears. Amr said he did.

Hisham then asked what was the use of his ears. Hisham replied that they were to hear with.

Hisham then asked Amr about his nose, then his mouth in this same way, and Amr replied him, thinking what foolish questions he was being asked.

Hisham then asked Amr if he had a brain. Amr said he did.

Hisham asked of what use was the brain to him, to which Amr replied that it was with the brain he was able to understand what all the other organs perceived.

Hisham asked Amr that did that mean even if all the organs that he had (eyes, ears, nose, mouth) were healthy, still they could not work without the brain. Amr agreed.

Hisham then continued that if Allah has made a brain to guide the organs in the body, did Amr not think that Allah would leave a guide (Imam) for man himself.

Amr could not reply !

Our Holy Prophet (S) has said: Those who hold on to his Ahlulbayt are like those who held onto the ark of Prophet Nuh (A), they will be saved.

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