Imamah and the Quran - An Objective Perspective

Existence of an Imām more Important for Humankind than Existence of a Prophet

It is also noteworthy to mention that in Imāmi Shia ideology, the existence of an Imām is of great importance, of such great relevance in fact that the world may remain without a Prophet, but Allah will not leave the world without an Imām. Allamah Muhammad Hussayn Tabatabai writes in his book “Shia”:

… it is not necessary for a prophet (nabi) always to be present among mankind, but the existence of the Imam, who is the guardian of Divine religion, is on the contrary a continuous necessity for human society. Human society can never be without the figure whom Shi'ism calls the Imam whether or not he is recognized and known.

… the functions of prophecy and Imamate may be joined in one person who is then appointed to the functions of both prophet and Imam, or to both the reception of the Divine law and its preservation and explanation. And sometimes they can be separated, such as in periods during which there is no prophet living but when there is a true Imam living among men. It is obvious that the number of God's prophets is limited and the prophets have not been present in every period and age. ⁹

Similarly, Allamah Muzaffar writes:

… it is impossible for there to be a time without an Imam appointed by Allah, and that it makes no difference if human beings deny him or not, help him or not, obey him or not, or if he is absent from people's sight.¹⁰