Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

IMAMATE AND THE IMAMS

Author: Ayatollah Ibrahim Amini

Translated: Hamideh Elahinia

Publisher: Ansariyan Publications

First Edition: 1390 - 1432 - 2011

www.alhassanain.org/english

Notice:

This work is published on behalf of www.alhassanain.org/english

The typing errors are n’t corrected.

Table of Contents

Translator’s Preface 7

Author’s Preface 8

Chapter on: Characteristics of the Imam 10

Lexical Definition of Imamate 10

Definition and Position of Imamate 10

The Prophet’s Positions 10

The Duties of the Imam 11

The Imam as Mentioned in Traditions 12

Characteristics of the Imam 12

The Necessity of Obeying the Imam 13

The Imam’s Knowledge from a Logical Point of View 14

The Imam’s Knowledge in Traditions 14

Conclusion of Prophethod and Accomplishment of Religion 15

The Range of Imam’s Knowledge 16

The Prophet’s (s) Traditions as Source of Imams’ Knowledge 18

The Prophet Confirms Ali’s Scientific Mastery 19

Inscription Order 20

Transmission of Science Books to Other Imams 20

Conclusion 21

Reference to the Books 21

The Contents of the Books 22

The Holy Quran 22

Transmission of Quranic Sciences to the Infallible Imams 24

The Infallible Imams (`a) and Mental Sciences 25

The Role of Mind in Recognizing Ethics 26

The Prophet (s) and Guardianship Commandments 27

The Imams and Guardianship Commandments 30

The Infallibility of Imams (`a) and its Limits 31

The Secret of Infallibility 31

Infallibility in Traditions 32

Chapter two: The Ahlul Bayt in the Quran and the Traditions 33

The Infallibility of Ahlul Bayt in the Holy Quran 33

Revelation Reason of Tat’hir Verse 33

Instances of the Ahlul Bayt 34

Exegesis of the Tat’hir Verse 34

Will in the Holy Quran 35

The Itrat (Household); Most Valid Religious Source 36

The Content of the Ghadir Tradition 38

The Itrat and its Instances 38

The Imamate Position 42

Material Aspects 44

The Real Position of the Imam with three Advantages 46

Two Devious Beliefs 46

Taqsir 46

Ghuluw 46

The Motives of Ghuluw (Hyperbole) 49

Summary and a Warning 49

Chapter three: The Arguments for Imamate 51

The Methods of Selecting the Prophet’s (s) Caliph or the Imam 51

The Imªmiyyah Shi’ahs 52

The Names of Twelve Imams 52

The First Reason; Prophet Muhammad’s (s) Traditions 52

The first type; twelve people and All from Quraysh 52

The Second Type; Twelve People and All Infallible 53

The Third Type; Twelve People and the Names of the First and Last Ones 53

The Fourth Type; Twelve People in Order of Imamate 54

The Second Reason; Appointment by the Previous Imam 55

The Third Reason; Miracles 56

Chapter four Brief Biographies of the Infallible Imams 57

The Shi’ah Opinion about the Infallible Imams 58

Guarding the Divine Commandments 58

Holding the Caliphate Position 58

The Signs of Genuine Shi’ah 59

The First Imam; Ali Ibn Abi Tªlib 62

Birth and Martyrdom 62

Ali (`a) in Prophet Muhammad’s (s) Age 62

Ali (`a) After Prophet Muhammad’s Demise 63

Texts Proving His Imamate 63

Virtues and Ethics 64

Ali’s (`a) Knowledge 65

Ali’s (`a) Worship 66

Ali’s (`a) Piety 67

Ali (`a) and Dividing War Booties 68

Strictness in Defending the Truth 70

Equality before the Law 71

The Second Imam; Hassan ibn `Ali 72

Birth and Martyrdom 72

Texts Proving His Imamate 72

Worshipping 73

Generosity 74

The Third Imam; Hussayn ibn ali 76

Birth and Martyrdom 76

Texts Proving His Imamate 76

Imam Hussayn’s (`a) Virtues 77

Worship 77

Almsgiving 77

The ‘Ashura Event 79

The Fourth Imam; `Ali ibn Hussayn 83

Birth and Martyrdom 83

Texts Proving His Imamate 83

Worship and Vigil 85

Almsgiving 86

Modesty 87

Remission 87

The Fifth Imam; Muhammad BAqir 90

Birth and Martyrdom 90

Texts Proving His Imamate 90

Virtues 91

Knowledge 92

Worship 93

Almsgiving 94

The Sixth Imam; Ja’far Sadiq 96

Birth and Martyrdom 96

Texts Proving His Imamate 97

Knowledge 99

Worship 101

Seeking Halal (Lawful) Sustenance 102

Almsgiving 103

Equanimity 104

Recommendation to Making Happy 105

Patience in Calamity 106

The Seventh Imam; Musa Kazim 107

Birth and Martyrdom 107

Texts Proving His Imamate 107

Virtues 109

Knowledge 110

Worship 111

Almsgiving 112

The Eighth Imam; `Ali ibn Musa Riza 115

Birth and Martyrdom 115

Texts Proving His Imamate 115

Virtues and Social Personality 117

Knowledge 118

Worship 120

Almsgiving 123

The Ninth Imam; Mu¦ammad Jawad 125

Birth and Martyrdom 125

Texts Proving His Imamate 125

Virtu es 127

Worship and Ethics 131

The Tenth Imam; `Ali Hadi 134

Birth and Martyrdom 134

Texts Proving His Imamate 134

Virtues 136

Knowledge 137

The Eleventh Imam; Hassan Askari 139

Birth and Martyrdom 139

Texts Proving His Imamate 139

Virtues 141

Imam’s Knowledge 144

The Twelfth Imam; Mahdi 146

Birth and Martyrdom 146

People Who Saw Imam Mahdi (`a) in his early days 146

Texts Proving His Imamate 147

More Proofs 148

Continuous News about the Existence of Mahdi 150

Foretelling the Occultation 153

Imam Mahdi’s (`a) Virtues 154

Short Occultation and Long Occultation 155

The Philosophy of Occultation 156

Traditions about Imam Mahdi (`a) in Sunni Books 159

Imam Mahdi’s (`a) Reappearance Time 161

The Signs of Imam Mahdi’s Reappearance 162

Characteristics of Imam Mahdi’s (`a) Government 162

Present Conditions of the World 162

Conditions of Victory 162

Notes 164

Translator’s Preface

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, Who bestowed me with the knowledge and perseverance necessary to translate this valuable work of Ayatollah Amini into English. Translation of Islamic works is a demanding job, especially when the assigned work is lengthy. Keeping the same tone and style throughout the work requires outstanding attention and concentration. It will be very much appreciated for the readers to point out their viewpoints on my translation, including any constructive criticism.

I’d like to express my thanks to my father, Hujjatul Islam Elahinia, for helping me with jurisprudential issues and Arabic terms.

I am very much indebted, also, to my husband, Mr. Seddighian, for his constant help and support during this translation project.

I sincerely dedicate this little attempt in propagating Islamic beliefs to the presence of infallible Imams (`a) of the Shi’ah. May Allah accept their intercession for us in the Last Day; “the day when We call every person with their Imams”[1] and “the day on which property will not avail, nor sons.”[2]

Author’s Preface

Imamate is not a dated ineffective issue so that it would be said, “It is not related to our time; discussing it is only a waste of time and increases old religious differences. It does not make any difference if Imam Ali (`a) is the Prophet’s successor or the fourth Caliph after him. Such issues have no influence on our current lives.”

It can be said in reply that the importance of Imamate, as a vital Islamic issue, will be proved later on in this book. It has a leading role now and in all eras, in all aspects of life. It also brings about a kind of responsibility for every Muslim. That is why various traditions cite recognition of the Imam in every age as a major Islamic duty and a sign of the belief. This duty is so important that ignoring it is regarded as going astray.

The Messenger of Allah (s) stated, “Anyone who dies without having an Imam has died as a pagan.[3] ”

He also said, “Anyone who dies while he has not recognized his Imam has died a pagan death.”[4]

Ibn Abi Ya’fur said that he asked Imam Sadiq (`a) about this tradition of the Prophet (s), “Does it mean death as an infidel?” Imam Sadiq (`a) replied, “It means dying in deviation.” He asked Imam (`a) again, “Therefore, has someone who dies while he has no Imam died as a pagan?” Imam Sadiq (`a) answered, “Sure he did.[5] ”

Fuzayl Ibn Yasar has narrated from Imam Sadiq (`a) that the Messenger of Allah (s) stated, “Anyone who dies without having an Imam has died a pagan death.” Fuzayl asked Imam Sadiq (`a), “Has the Messenger of Allah (s) stated this?” Imam (`a) answered, “Yes, by Allah.” The narrator asked again, “So if someone dies while he has no Imam, has he died a pagan death?” Imam Sadiq (`a) stated, “Surely he did.”[6]

Various other traditions have also been narrated with the same theme. Such traditions reveal that recognition of the Imam is one of major Islamic obligations. Two important questions come to mind in this regard. The first one is that what is meant by recognition of the Imam? Does it mean knowing the identifications of the Imam or a deeper recognition?

The second question is that what is the advantage of recognizing the Imam? Why is it so emphasized in traditions of Prophet of Islam (`a) and his Household, the infallible Imams (`a)? This question arises especially since the Imamate age has apparently terminated; no one is supposed to be Imam today, so that we have no duty to search for and find the true Imam. In these conditions, isn’t it better to leave the Imamate issue and the controversy about it and attend to more important Islamic issues?

In answer to the first question it can be said that as will be proved later in the present book, Imamate and leadership are high positions in Islam, which cannot be occupied by regular people. Only qualified persons, with the following characteristics, can reach the Imamate position:

1. The Imam should know all the Divine sciences, teachings, and verdicts that are revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s) by Allah. In other words, the Imam is and should be the inheritor of the Prophet’s knowledge.

2. The Imam should be away from mistakes and forgetfulness (be infallible) in gaining, recording, maintaining, and publishing religious sciences and teachings.

3. The Imam should also be away from committing sins and transgressing religious rules. He should follow religious rules and verdicts so that the people follow his Islamic speech, behavior, and morality.

Therefore, the recognition of Imam, mentioned in the traditions, is not merely being familiar with his identification; rather it is recognition of his brilliant scientific, practical, ethical, and virtuous personality.

The answer to the first question clears the answer to the second question too. In other words, if we consider the Imam as the source of all religious sciences, teachings, and verdicts, every Muslim should refer to the Imam -as an original reliable source- for learning his religious duties. As a result, research for recognizing the true Imam -for acquiring religious sciences- is a major duty of every Muslim, who thinks of his salvation in this world and the Hereafter. It is clear that such an important duty does not belong to a certain age and is necessary in all times. In fact, Muslims in all eras should attempt to recognize the infallible Imam of their age -introduced by Prophet Muhammad (s) along with the Holy Quran as two reliable scientific sources- and benefit from his virtuous speech and behavior. Moreover, since only an infallible Imam is introduced from Allah to rule the Islamic Ummah (nation), as the Prophet’s true successor, people in all ages should discover the true Imam and ruler and help establish the Islamic government. The government issue does not belong to a certain time and place either. In fact, the need for legitimate Islamic government has always been a preliminary need of the Islamic Ummah.

The present book is written for the youth about the same topics in four chapters:

The first chapter is about definition of Imamate and privileges of the Imams. The second chapter is about Prophet Muhammad’s (s) Household, as mentioned in the Holy Quran and the traditions. The third chapter discusses the Imamate reasons. Finally, chapter four introduces the infallible Imams (`a), specific reasons for Imamate of each of them, virtues, ethical values, knowledge, worship, and moral journey of these selected servants toward the Exalted Allah. This is the most important part of the book, so that we may follow the pattern of the infallible Imams (`a).

I hope the Islamic Ummah, especially the youth, attend to spiritual lives of the infallible Imams (`a), learn lessons for life, and set them as their leaders everywhere and every time. In fact, this is the true way of being a real Shiah.

Ibrahim Amini

11/22/1387 (2/12/2008)