Imamah and the Quran - An Objective Perspective

What can be concluded about Imāmah in Shiaism

Given the above citations, any person can see that the belief of Imāmah is the heart of Shiaism. It can be correctly said that without it the Shia faith would cease to exist as a separate group, and the differences between Shias and Sunnis would be merely in matters of Fiqh and Islamic legislation.

The Shia Allamah Muhammad Hussayn Tabatabai listed the necessary qualifications and qualities of an Imām and the office of Imāmah while discussing Ayah 2:124 of the Holy Quran in his Tafseer Al-Mizan. I will present this list as a brief synopsis of what Imāmah entails for Shiaism:

First: Imāmah is a Divinely-made status.

Second: The Imām must be ma'sum, by Divine 'ismah; in other words, he must be protected by Allah from sins and errors.

Third: The earth cannot remain without a rightful Imām, as long as there is a man on it.

Fourth: It is essential for an Imām to be supported by the Divine help.

Fifth: The deeds of the people are not hidden from the Imām.

Sixth: The Imām must have knowledge of all that is needed by the people for their good in this world and the next.

Seventh: It is impossible for any other person to surpass the Imām in any virtue.²⁵

In addition to these qualities, the following points may be added:

The Imām is the tool for obeying Allah, any acts of obedience without accepting the real Imām is useless, and will not be accepted by Allah.

According to a considerable number of Shia scholars, Imāms (and the office of Imāmah) have a rank higher than that of the prophets (and the office of Prophethood).

These principles are among the most fundamental of Imāmah according to Shiaism. They will be of importance when they are compared with the text and message of the Quran. Other scholarly Shia statements with respect to Imāmah will also be brought up in the appropriate chapters. Notwithstanding, it is crucial for both the Sunni and Shia readers to realize that Imāmah carries a very special meaning in the psyche of the Shia, and that no stone has been left unturned by Shia scholars and writers in their attempts to glorify and sanctify such a position.