|
THE 'ISMAH OF
IMAM
From what has already been discussed, it became clear
that like the Prophet (SA), the Imam must be immune from error and sin;
otherwise, the religious call will remain defective and the divine
guidance will become ineffective.
THE MORAL VIRTUES OF IMAM
The Imam must be endowed with moral virtues such as
boldness, bravery, chastity, generosity, and justice, because whosoever is
ma'sum and free from sin will strictly follow and practise
religious laws and since the possession of praiseworthy ethics is
essential for religion, the Imam must surpass all the other people in
moral virtues, for it makes no sense for a man to lead those who are
better and superior than him in virtues. Surely, Allah's justice is not in
conformity with such an idea.
Since an Imam is the guardian of religion and the
leader of the inhabitants of the world, he must have a thorough knowledge
of all matters concerning this world and the Hereafter, namely, the
matters related to man's prosperity. Since having an ignorant person as a
leader is not rationally permissible and is meaningless from the viewpoint
of general divine guidance.
THE FOURTEEN MA'SUMIN
The Holy Prophet (SA), his honourable daughter,
Fatimah al-Zahra' (AS), and the twelve infallible Imams are called the
"Fourteen Ma'sumin. The first five from among the fourteen
Ma'sumin, namely, the Holy Prophet (SA), 'Ali (AS), Fatimah (As),
al-Imam al-Hasan (AS) and al-Imam al-Husayn (AS) are called
"Ahlal-'Aba" and "Ashab al-Kisa'" (the family and companions
gathered under the sheet of cloth). They are called Ashab al-Kisa'
because one day the Holy Prophet (SA) covered himself with a sheet of
cloth, gathered these four members under it, and prayed to Allah. The
Almighty Allah revealed the following Qur'anic verse of taharah in
their honour:
"Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanliness
from you, O Ahl al-Bayt, and to keep you tahir - a (thorough) taharah
(33:33)".
THE GUIDING IMAMS
(AS)
The guiding Imams (AS) who are the successors of the
Holy Prophet (SA) and the leaders of people of the world and the Islam are
twelve in number.
THE NAMES OF THE INFALLIBLE IMAMS (AS)
1. Al-'Imam 'Ali (AS) (Aimir al-Mu'minin)
2.
Al-'Imam al-Hasan (AS) (Al-Mujtaba)
3. Al-'Imam al-Husayn (AS) (Sayyid
al-Shuhada')
4. Al-'Imam 'Ali (AS) (al-Sajjad)
5. Al-'Imam Muhammad
(AS) (Al-Baqir)
6. Al-'Imam Ja'far (AS) (Al-Sadiq)
7. Al-'Imam Musa
(AS) (Al-Kazim)
8. Al-'Imam 'Ali (AS) (Al-Rida)
9. Al-'Imam Muhammad
(AS) (Al-Taqi)
10. Al-'Imam 'Ali (AS) (Al-Naqi)
11. Al-'Imam
al-Hasan (AS) (Al-'Askari)
12. Al-'Imam Muhammad (AS) (Al-Mahdi),
al-Hujjat ibn al-Hasan).
|