Imamate in Shia doctrine
Part of a series on Shia Islam |
---|
Shia Islam portal |
Part of a series on Aqidah |
---|
Including:
|
In
Etymology
The word "Imām" denotes a person who stands or walks "in front". For Sunni Islam, the word is commonly used to mean a person who leads the course of prayer in the mosque. It also means the head of a madhhab ("school of thought"). However, from the Shia point of view this is merely the basic understanding of the word in the Arabic language and, for its proper religious usage, the word "Imam" is applicable only to those members of the house of Muhammad designated as infallible by the preceding Imam.
Introduction
The Shia further believe only these A'immah have the right to be Caliphs, meaning that all other caliphs, whether elected by consensus (Ijma) or not, are usurpers of the Caliphate as those were political positions not divine positions.
All Muslims believe that Muhammad had said: "To whomsoever I am Mawla, Ali is his Mawla." This hadith has been narrated in different ways by many different sources in no less than 45 hadith books[citation needed] of both Sunni and Shia collections. This hadith has also been narrated by the collector of hadiths, al-Tirmidhi, 3713;[3] as well as Ibn Maajah, 121;[4] etc. The major point of conflict between the Sunni and the Shia is in the interpretation of the word 'Mawla'. For the Shia the word means 'Master' and has the same elevated significance as when the term had been used to address Muhammad himself during his lifetime. Thus, when Muhammad actually (by speech) and physically (by way of having his closest companions including Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman [the three future Caliphs who had preceded Ali as Caliph] publicly accept Ali as their Master by taking Ali's hand in both of theirs as token of their allegiance to Ali) transferred this title and manner of addressing Ali as the Mawla for all Muslims at Ghadiri Khum Oasis just a few months before his death, the people that came to look upon Ali as Muhammad's immediate successor even before Muhammad's death came to be known as the Shia. However, for Sunnis the word simply means the 'beloved' or the 'revered' and has no other significance at all.
Sects
Part of a series on |
Islam |
---|
Within Shia Islam (Shiism), the various sects came into being because they differed over their Imams' successions, just as the Shia – Sunni separation within Islam itself came into being from the dispute that had arisen over the succession to
The Shia tariqah with a majority of adherents are the
Although all these different Shia tariqahs belong to the Shia (as opposed to the Sunni) sect in Islam, there are major doctrinal differences between the main Shia tariqahs. After that there is the complete doctrinal break between all the different Shia tariqahs whose last Imams have gone into Occultation and the Shia Nizari Ismailis, who deny the concept of Occultation and so have to have a present and living Imam until the end of time.[citation needed]
Twelver view
Part of a series on Shia Islam |
Twelver Shi'ism |
---|
Shia Islam portal |
Shias believe that Imamah is of the Principles of Faith
They refer to the verse ("...This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion...") 5:3 of
By the verse Quran, 2:124, Shias believe that Imamah is a divine position always Imamah is accompanied by the word guidance, of course a guidance by God's Command. A kind of guidance which brings humanity to the goal. Regarding 17:71, no age can be without an Imam. So, according to the upper verse, 1. Imamah is a position which is appointed by God and must be specified by Him; 2. Imam is protected by a divine protection and no one excels him in nobility; 3. No age can be without an Imam and finally Imam knows everything which is needed for human being to get to the truth and goal.[7]
Why only specific members of Muhammad's family?
Sunnis reject the doctrine of Imamate on the basis of their interpretation of verse 33:40 of the
It is narrated that it is forbidden for the Divine Leader not to be from the family of Muhammad.
The Ismā'īlī view
The doctrine of the Imamate in Isma'ilism differs from that of the Twelvers because the Isma'ilis had living Imams for centuries after the last Twelver Imam,
According to Isma'ilism,
Why Imams from only (specific) family members
Ismailis view Imams as the true representative of God. God has made all prophets his representative. Individual prophets era are distinct. After one prophets God created next prophet. Islam view that Mohammed is last prophet. Mohammed appointed his specific representative Ali. Ali made imams as his next representative and one imam appointed another until date. The Isma'ili view that these Imam are only from their hereditary chain and their appointment is a must, and Earth cannot remain vacant, without presence of Imam.[14][15][original research?]
Zaidi view
In the context of the Shi'a Muslim belief in spiritual leadership or Imamate, Zaydis believe that the leader of the
Zaydis believe Zayd ibn Ali was the rightful successor to the Imamate because he led a rebellion against the
Unlike
The Imamate can be passed down to anyone of the household of Muhammad.The period of occultation
Twelver view
The period of occultation (ghaybah) is divided into two parts:
- Ghaybah al-Sughra or Minor Occultation (874–941), consists of the first few decades after the Imam's disappearance when communication with him was maintained through deputies of the Imam.
- Ghaybah al-Kubra or Major Occultation began in 941 and is believed to continue until a time decided by God, when the Mahdi will reappear to bring absolute justice to the world.
During the Minor Occultation (Ghaybah al-Sughrá), it is believed that al-Mahdi maintained contact with his followers via deputies (
For the Shia, the idea of consulting a hidden Imam was not something new because the two prior
Shia Tradition hold that four deputies acted in succession to one another:
- Uthman ibn Sa’id al-Asadi
- Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Uthman
- Abul Qasim Husayn ibn Ruh al-Nawbakhti
- Abul Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Samarri
In 941 (329 AH), the fourth deputy announced an order by al-Mahdi, that the deputy would soon die and that the deputyship would end and the period of the Major Occultation would begin.
The fourth deputy died six days later and the Shia Muslims continue to await the reappearance of the Mahdi. In the same year, many notable Shia scholars such as Ali ibn Babawayh Qummi and Muhammad ibn Ya'qub Kulayni, the learned compiler of Kitab al-Kafi, also died.
One view is that the Hidden Imam is on earth "among the body of the Shia" but "incognito". "Numerous stories" exist of the Hidden Imam "manifesting himself to prominent members of the ulama."[21]
The Ismā'īlī view
Part of a series on Islam Isma'ilism |
---|
Islam portal |
The Ismailis differ from
Imām |
Imām |
Imām |
Period |
1 | Asās/Wāsīh | Imām |
(632–661) |
Pir | 1 | Imām |
(661–669) Mustā‘lī
|
2 | 2 | Imām |
(669–680) Nizārī
|
3 | 3 | Imām |
(680–713) |
4 | 4 | Imām |
(713–733) |
5 | 5 | Imām |
(733–765) |
6 | 6 | Imām |
(765–775) |
7 | 7 | Imām |
(775–813) |
First phase
The eighth Imam,
Second phase
Upon the death of the twentieth
Imams
Twelver Imams
According to the majority of Shī'a, namely the
List of The Twelve Imams
According to Twelvers, there is always an Imam of the era, who is the divinely appointed authority on all matters of faith and law in the Muslim community.
Ismaili Imams
The Ismaili line of imams for both sects (the
The line of imams of the Musta'li Muslims (also known as the Bohras/
The line of imams of the Nizari Ismaili Shia Muslims (also known as the Agha-khani Ismailis in South and Central Asia) continues to their present living 49th hereditary imam,
Zaidi Imams
The Zaidi branch of Shi'ism established its own line of Imams starting in the year 897; the line continued without interruption until 1962 when the North Yemen Civil War brought the Imamate to an end and established a republic.
Sunni view of the Shia Imamate
The belief of the Twelver Imamah with the consideration of the sacred status of the four Rashidun Caliphs is shared in Sunni Islam, due to the following hadith of Muhammad:
I heard the Prophet of Allah say 'Islam shall not cease to be glorious up to twelve Caliphs, every one of them being from the Quraish'". (And in a narration) "The affairs of men will not cease to decline so long as twelve men will rule over them, every one of them coming from Quraish. And in a narration: The religion will continue to be established till the hour comes as there are twelve Caliphs over them, everyone of them coming from the Quraish[29]
The affairs of the people will continue to be conducted as long as they are governed by twelve men, he then added from Quraish[30]
I will be followed by twelve Khalifas all will be Quraysh[31]
Succession
Various Imāmah sects emerged from the descendants of Al-"Imām" and Al-Sādiq | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
See also
Footnotes
- ^ See Goldziher, Muhammedanische Studien, II, 105-6; Y. Friedmann, 'Finality of Prophethood in Sunni Islam', JSAI, 7 (1986), 177-215, at 187-9.[8]
- ^ The Sufi spiritual leader Ibn Arabi said: "A Muslim is a person who has dedicated his worship exclusively to God...Islam means making one's religion and faith God's alone."[11]
- ^ 19:28
Citations
- ^ Nasr 2006, p. 38
- ^ Sociology of religions: perspectives of Ali Shariati (2008) Mir Mohammed Ibrahim
- ^ "Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3713 - Chapters on Virtues - كتاب المناقب عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ "Sunan Ibn Majah 121 - The Book of the Sunnah - كتاب المقدمة - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)". sunnah.com. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ Tabataba'i 2008
- ^ al-Tijani al-Samawi 2013, p. 79
- ^ Ayoub 1984, p. 157
- ^ a b c Madelung 1997, p. 17
- ^ Moslem bin Hajjaj (2006). Sahih Moslem. Dar Tayibbah. p. 882.
- ^ a b c al-Shaykh al-Saduq 2006, p. 194
- ^ Commentary on the Qur'an, Razi, I, p. 432, Cairo, 1900
- ^ "Surah Maryam - 28". Quran.com. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ Dawr 1 at Encyclopædia Iranica
- ^ Historical representations of a Fatimid Imam-caliph: Exploring al-Maqrizi’s and Idris’ writings on al-Mu‘izz Li Din Allah, Dr. Shainool Jiwa
- ^ shiite-encyclopedia-ahlul-bayt
- ^ Islamic Dynasties of the Arab East: State and Civilization during the Later Medieval Times by Abdul Ali, M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd., 1996, p97
- ^ Ahkam al-Quran By Abu Bakr al-Jassas al-Razi, volume 1 page 100, published by Dar Al-Fikr Al-Beirutiyya
- ISBN 0871966298
- ^ "Zaidiyyah". The Free Dictionary.
- ^ Zaydi Islam John Pike – http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/intro/islam-zaydi.htm
- ^ Momen, Moojan, An Introduction to Shi'i Islam, Yale University Press, 1985, p. 199
- ^ Rise of The Fatimids, by W. Ivanow. Page 81, 275
- ^ "ISMAʿILISM xvii. THE IMAMATE IN ISMAʿILISM".
- ^ Yeomans 2006, p. 43.
- ISBN 81-7231-592-9.
- ISBN 0-02-865604-0.
- ^ "Aga Khan Development Network".
- ^ See "Ibn Taymiyya's Critique of Shia Imamology. Translation of Three Sections of his 'Minhāj al-Sunna'", by Yahya Michot, The Muslim World, 104/1–2 (2014), pp. 109–149.
- ^ Mishkat al Masabih Vol 4 p 576, Hadith 5
- ^ Sahih Muslim, Hadith number 4478
- ^ Sunan Tirmidhi Volume 1 page 813
References
- al-Shaykh al-Saduq (2006). Uyun Akhbar Al-Reza: The Source of Traditions on Imam Reza (a.s.) Vol. 2. Qomindex.htm: Ansariyan Publications. p. 194.
- Al-Tabataba'i, Muhammad H. (1977). Shi'ite Islam. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-87395-390-0.
- al-Tijani al-Samawi, Muhammad (30 January 2013). To Be with the Truthful.
- Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (27 September 1994). The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism: The Sources of Esotericism in Islam. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-2122-2.
- Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (2005). "Shiʿite Doctrine". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2014-07-07.
- Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (2007). "Islam in Iran vii. The Concept of Mahdi in Twelver Shiʿism". Encyclopædia Iranica.
- Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali (15 February 2011). The Spirituality of Shi'i Islam: Belief and Practices. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84511-738-2.
- ISBN 978-0-87395-727-4.
- Chittick, William C. (1980). A Shi'ite Anthology. SUNY Press. ISBN 978-0-87395-510-2.
- ISBN 0-7103-0416-1.
- Dungersi, Mohammed Raza. A Brief Biography of Imam Hasan bin Ali (a.s.): al-Askari. Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania. GGKEY:NT86H2HXN40.
- Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
- ISBN 1-56859-050-4.
- Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East and North Africa. Gale Group. 2004. ISBN 978-0-02-865769-1.
- Halm, H (1987). "ʿAskarī". Encyclopaedia Iranica.
- Kohlberg, E.; Poonawala, I. K. (1985). "ʿAli B. Abi Ṭāleb". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2014-07-07.
- Martin, Richard C. (2004). "Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World: A-L". Encyclopaedia of Islam and the Muslim world; vol. 1. MacMillan. ISBN 0-02-865604-0.
- ISBN 978-0-521-64696-3.
- ISBN 978-1-86064-859-5.
- Madelung, Wilferd (1985a). "'Alī Al-Hādī". Encyclopædia Iranica.
- Madelung, Wilferd (1985b). "ʿAlī Al-Reżā". Encyclopædia Iranica.
- Madelung, Wilferd (1985c). "ʿAlī Al-Reżā". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
- Madelung, Wilferd (1988). "Al-Baqer, Abu Jafar Mohammad". Encyclopædia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
- Madelung, Wilferd (2003). "Hasan ibn Ali". Encyclopædia Iranica.
- Madelung, Wilferd (2004). "Ḥosayn B. ʿAli i. Life AND Significance IN Shiʿism". Encyclopædia Iranica.
- Mashita, Hiroyuki (2002). Theology, ethics and metaphysics. London: RoutledgeCurzon. ISBN 9780700716708.
- Momen, Moojan (1985). An Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The History and Doctrines of Twelve. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-03531-4.
- ASIN B0006E4J0C.
- Nasr, Seyyed Hossein (2007). "Ali". Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
- ISBN 978-1-134-53895-9.
- Nasr, Seyyed Vali Reza (2006). The Shia Revival: How Conflicts Within Islam Will Shape the Future (1st ed.). New York: Norton. ISBN 0-393-06211-2.
- Qurashi, Baqir Sharif (1999). The Life of Imam Muhammad ibn 'Ali al-Baqir. Ansariyan Publications. ISBN 9644380444.
- Qurashi, Baqir Shareef (2005). The Life of Imam Muhammad Al-Jawad. Qom: Ansariyan Publications.
- Qurashi, Baqir Sharif (2007). The Life of Imām Zayn al 'Abidin (A.S.). Ansariyan Publications. ISBN 978-9644381652.
- ISBN 978-9976-956-13-9.
- ISBN 0-19-511915-0.
- ISBN 0-87395-390-8.
- Tabataba'i, Muhammad Husayn (2008). Islamic Teachings in Brief. Qum: Ansariyan.
- Yeomans, Richard (2006). The art and architecture of islamic cairo. Garnet & Ithaca Press. ISBN 978-1-85964-154-5.
External links
- Al-imamah (emamah) page Archived 2019-10-27 at the Wayback Machine
- A brief introduction of Twelve Imams
- Shia Islam: History and Doctrines
- Al-Muraja'at Archived 2016-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
- A Brief History Of The Lives Of The Twelve Imams a chapter of Allameh Tabatabaei
- "The Twelve Imams"—Taken from A Shi'ite Anthology by Allameh Tabatabaei
- A Short History of the Lives of The Twelve Imams
- Imamah in the Qur'an
- "Imam"—An article by Encyclopædia Britannica Online
- "Hojjat" Archived 2008-04-17 at the Wayback Machine by Maria Dakake, an entry in the Encyclopædia Iranica
- Twelve Successors
- Bay Area Shiite-Muslims Association (basma.us)
- Graphical illustration of the Shia sects
- The Shia Islamic Guide Archived 2019-08-25 at the Wayback Machine (shiacode.com)
- Imamah in Sunni Islam