What is Necessity of the Existence of Imam?

Hawzah News Agency- Many reasons have been provided for the necessity of the existence of an Imam, but we will suffice with just one simple statement:

The same reason that expresses the need for a prophet also expresses the need for people to have an "Imam"; because on the one hand, Islam is the last religion and that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet of God, therefore, Islam must meet all the needs of humanity until the Day of Judgment.

On the other hand, the Holy Quran has stated the principles of divine laws and teachings, and its explanation and clarification has been entrusted to the Prophet (PBUH). 1

However, it is evident that the Prophet (PBUH), as the leader of Muslims, has explained the divine verses according to the needs and capacity of the Islamic community of his time, and it is necessary for him to have worthy successors who, similar to him, are connected to the boundless ocean of knowledge of Allah Almighty, so that they can explain what the Prophet (PBUH) has not explained and can respond to the needs of the Muslim community at any time.

In a tradition that Shia and Sunni have narrated from the Prophet of Islam, it is stated:

«اِنّی تارِکٌ فیکُمُ الثَّقَلَینِ کِتابَ اللّهِ وَ عِتْرَتی؛ ما اِنْ تَمَسَّکْتُمْ بِهِما لَنْ تَضِلّوُا بَعْدی اَبَداً.» 2

'O people! Indeed, I have left among you, that which if you hold fast to it, you shall not go astray: The Book of Allah and my family, the people of my house.'

Indeed, I am leaving among you two precious things: the Holy Quran and my Ahl al-Bayt. As long as you hold on to them, you will never go astray after me.

According to this hadith, the presence of the Prophet's progeny alongside the Quran will be essential.

The Imams, peace be upon them, are also the guardians of the legacy left by the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and the true interpreters of the Holy Quran so that the religion of God is not subject to distortion by the scheming and enemies, and this clear source remains pure until the Day of Judgment.

In addition, the "Imam" as a perfect human being is a comprehensive and complete model in all human dimensions, and humanity has a serious need for such a model, so that by his guidance, it can be trained in a way that is worthy of its human perfection, and in the light of the guidance of this heavenly mentor, it can be protected from the deviations and traps of its rebellious self and external devils.

Imam Sadiq (PBUH) says in this regard:

«إِنَّ اَلْأَرْضَ لاَ تَخْلُو إِلاَّ وَ فِیهَا إِمَامٌ کَیْمَا إِنْ زَادَ اَلْمُؤْمِنُونَ شَیْئاً رَدَّهُمْ وَ إِنْ نَقَصُوا شَیْئاً أَتَمَّهُ لَهُمْ». 3

“Indeed, Earth is not devoid of an Imam on it who, if believers add something, brings them back, and if they decrease something, perfects for them.”

From the above Hadith, it is evident that the people's need for an Imam is a vital need, and some of the duties of the Imam are as follows:

- Leading and managing the affairs of the society (forming the government)

- Preserving the religion and customs of the Prophet from distortion and expressing the authentic Quran

- Purifying the souls and spiritually guiding the people 4

This discussion continues...

Extracted from the book “Negine Afarinesh (The Jewel of Creation)”, with slight changes

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Footnotes:

1. The Holy Qur’an addresses the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) with the verse: “We have sent down the Reminder [the Qur’an] to you so that you may explain to the people what has been revealed to them” (Surah An-Nahl, verse 44).

2. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 100.

3. Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 178.

4. It is important to note that the formation of a government by the infallible Imam depends on specific contexts and conditions. However, many of the Imam’s responsibilities continue even during the period of occultation, although these duties become more tangible and visibly enacted during his appearance and physical presence among the people. Additionally, the points discussed here pertain to humanity’s need for the Imam in their spiritual life. The broader cosmic need for the Imam’s presence, which encompasses the world at large, will be explored in the section on “The Benefits of the Absent Imam.”