Symposium 43
More on the Message
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom!
Hasan:Alaykom As-Salam!
Anwar:I think last time we concluded that the Noble Quran and the Honorable Sunna contain all rules and the codes needed for deducing thousands of judgments helpful to mankind individually and socially.
Hasan:Yes, no doubt in that. However, we should also remember the weightiness of Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT) alongside the Noble Quran and the role they have in
explaining and preserving the Shari’a as well as fulfilling the needs of people in their devotions and dealings matters. That is why the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) publicly announced the well-known Al-Thaqalain([10]) Hadith.
Anwar:Exactly. This is very necessary for all of us.
Hasan:Actually, I would like to add something. It is important to believe that Islam is concerned with the content away from outer shell during the law making or legislation process. This is the reason why it still continues to be useful for all people and over all ages.
Islam also keeps this balance between the earthly issues and the spiritual issues. Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) says in this regard:“The believers have three times; a time for praising the Lord, a time for earning living and a time for sitting alone with themselves”.
No doubt that these three times would create a wonderful balance in one’s life.
[10]Al-Thaqalain: (The Two Weighty Things):
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: verily, l am leaving behind two weighty Things (Thaqalain) a mong you: The Book of Allah, and my kindred ('itrah), my household (Ahlulbayt), for indeed, the two will never separte until they come back to me by the pond (of Alkawthar on the judgement's day).
Anwar:This is a great Hadith, and I will be grateful if you explain it a bit more so I would strengthen my faith.
Hasan:Of course. In order to conclude this discussion on prophethood, I would say that the Imam (PBUH) wants people to worship the Almighty Allah and to devote themselves to Him as long they breath.
At the same time, they need to work hard to earn a Halal living in order to take care of themselves and the people they support. The Imam (PBUH) wants us to always keep this balance between our satisfying our needs in this life as well as the next life.
این صفحه در کتاب اصلی بدون متن است / هذه الصفحة فارغة في النسخة المطبوعة
CHATPTER FOUR
Imamate
(Imamah)
·The Concept of Imamate
·Is Imamate one of the Pillars of Islam or the Branches of the Pillars?
·Is Imamate Established through Allegiance (Bai’a) or the Scripture (Al-Nas)?
·What are the Attributes and the responsibilities of Imam?
·What is the Imam’s Source of Knowledge?
·Does the Imam Know About the Divine secrets?
·Why Don’t Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT) Teach Their Knowledge to All of People?
·Is it Requisite to Obey and Love the Imams (PBUT)?
·Why Is ‘Loving the Imams (PBUT)’ Requisite?
·Is Imamate Established through the Scripture or Election?
·The Evidence to Imamate of Ali Bin Abi Talib and His offspring (PBUT)
·Is it a Duty to Believe in the Existence of Imam Al-Mahdi (AHHR)?
·The Benefits of the Conceal (Al-Ghaibah)
·The Benefits of Waiting
·Words on Claiming His Mediation
این صفحه در کتاب اصلی بدون متن است / هذه الصفحة فارغة في النسخة المطبوعة
Symposium 44
The Concept of Imamate
Anwar:We were talking about the Hadith from Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) on the responsibilities of a person in life. His great words are indicative of an infallible source.
Hasan:True. The words of Imams are the guideline for our life in its all aspects, and Imam Ali (PBUH) is, as we all know, the gate for the city of knowledge.
Anwar:I can see we are going towards Imamate in our discussion, are we going to talk about it?
Hasan:Yes, it is time to talk about Imamate; let the Hadith from Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) be the opening for this topic. I will start with the definition of Imamate:
· General leadership in spiritual and secular issues.
· Succession of the Prophet (PBUH) for putting the religion into practice.
· Representing the owner of Shari’a in preservation of the religion and the earthly matters.
· Succession of the Prophet (PBUH) for putting the religion into practice and preserving the Muslim community.
Regardless of these definitions offered by Muslim clerks, we can say that Imamate is a Divine succession (Caliphate) that provides legislative power to its owner, external succession is one of this.
Anwar:As far as I know, Imams are superior to other people and consequently they act as role models to the people. Right?
Hasan:Yes, this is the definition of Imamate according to linguists; the ones I presented are technical definitions offered by religious experts.
Anwar:You said it is a Divine succession!
Hasan:As we all know, the purpose behind creating mankind is achieving perfection and being closer to the