Taqavi

What are the duties of the imam? It can be said that the imam has two basic duties. The first duty is the political government and the leadership of the society, the Imam, like the Prophet (a.s.), has the duty to manage the Islamic society, which includes political, judicial, and military affairs, of course, when this position of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) is at their disposal, Therefore, when this position was usurped, lady Fatemah (a.s.) said in her sermon: If the caliphate and the administration of the society were in the hands of Ali (a.s.), if the people deviated from the right path, he would gently guide them to the right path. and a government would be formed in which there would be no fatigue and suffering;[1] Therefore, ruling over society and managing it is one of the virtues of Imamate. The second duty is religious authority, just as the Prophet (s) used to answer the doubts about Islam and explained the rules of religion and interpretation of the Qur'an and were the authority of the people in these matters, the Imam also has such a position and duty; the Prophet (s), himself said that, O Ali, you are my guardian and successor, just as Aaron was the guardian of Moses.[2] And in another narration, the prophet said: 'I am the city of knowledge and 'Ali is its gate'[3], that means, after me, the one who has the duty of guiding the people and has the scientific authority, is Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.). So, one of the duties of the Imam is Safeguarding religion, answering doubts, stating rulings, interpreting the Qur'an and guiding people. Therefore, in Nahj al-Balagha, Imam Ali (a.s.) explains the Imam's duties as follows: "Indeed, there is nothing obligatory on the Imam except what God commands, and that is preaching to the people, trying to give advice and benevolence, establishing the Sunnah of the Prophet(s), imposing divine limits on criminals, delivering Bait Al-Mal's to the people."[4] [1] . Balaghat al-Nisa', vol. 1, p. 23, Abi Tahir Ibn Tayfour. [2] . Usul Kafi/Kulaini/vol. 8/p. 107. " أَنْتَ مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسَى إِلَّا أَنَّهُ لَا نَبِيَّ بَعْدِي"‏ [3] . Uyun Akhbar al-Reza/Vol.2/p.66. "أَنَا مَدِينَةُ الْعِلْمِ‏ وَ عَلِيٌّ بَابُهَ" [4] . Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 105.

What are the Characteristics of the Imam? the twelve Imams (a.s.) have special characteristics that distinguish them from other people. These characteristics are fully expressed in the narration of Imam Ridha’ (a.s.)[1] therefore the scholars have mentioned to some of them: 1. Infallibility: The Imam, like the Prophet (S), is completely away from mistakes, forgetfulness, and intentional wrongdoing. He is, in fact, infallible; otherwise, Allah’s purpose of guiding humans and introducing the true path toward perfection would remain incomplete and His Mercy would not be accomplished.[2] 2. Knowledge: The Imam must be aware of what is necessary for Imamate, that is, he must know the teachings and rulings of the religion completely, so that he can inform the people about their religion and their religious duties and arbitrate in disputes between them.[3] 3. Courage: The third quality of the Imam is courage, which he needs in removing seditions and suppressing falsehood, because without having the quality of courage, he will not be able to fulfill the duties of the Imamate.[4] 4. The superiority of Imam: The Imam is a unique person in his own age; no one is like him, nor can anyone reach his position.[5] 5. Avoiding physical and mental defects: In general, the Imam must be free from any physical or mental defects; Among the physical attributes of the imam, is being free from diseases and defects that disgust people; For example, the Imam (a.s.) never suffers from diseases such as leprosy and vitiligo. Also, the Imam (a.s.) must be free from mental defects and unpleasant temperaments, such as ignorance, madness and jealousy. Because there is no doubt that despite such defects, the Imam will be discredited in the eyes of the people and will lose his status in the eyes of his followers.[6] 6. Miracle: Some theologians consider the Imam's ability to perform miracles, is one of his attributes and have said: It may be necessary for the Imam to perform miracles to prove his Imamate, which is a divine position. [7] [1] . (Usul Kafi/Kulaini/vol. 1/p. 200) "كُنَّا مَعَ الرِّضَا ع بِمَرْوَ فَاجْتَمَعْنَا فِي الْجَامِعِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي بَدْءِ مَقْدَمِنَا فَأَدَارُوا أَمْرَ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ ذَكَرُوا كَثْرَةَ اخْتِلَافِ النَّاسِ فِيهَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى سَيِّدِي....." [2] . Qushji, Fadel, Sharh Tajaryd al-Iaetiqadi, p. 367. [3] . Tusi, Khawaja Nasir al-Din, Talkhees al-Muhallas, p. 430. [4] . Ibid. [5] . Alama Hilli, Hassan bin Yusuf, Kashf Al-Murad, vol. 1, p. 366. [6] . Fadel, Miqdad bin Abdullah, Irshad al-Talibeen, pp. 325-375. [7] . Tusi, Khawaja Nasir al-Din, Talkhees al-Muhallas, p. 431 - Bahrani, Ibn Maitham, Qawa’i

What does the definition of Imam Literally and technically? Imam is an Arabic word that means leader and master.[1] Raghib al-Isfahani writes about this word: "imam is someone who is imitated, whether it is a person who is imitated by his words and actions, or a book or something else, whether this imitation is right or wrong"[2]. In al- Majmae al-Bahrayn also, imam means the leader and the one who is followed by people.[3] technically, it means the religious leader over everyone, so Theologians have defined Imam in two ways; Some definitions are general and include prophet as well; for example, it has been defined as the "general leader in religious and worldly issues".[4] The second definitions are those which regard Imam as the successer of the Prophet (s) in religious affairs and consider following Imam obligatory.[5] It should be noted that this word has been used 12 times in the Qur'an and in all these cases it has been used in its literal meaning like: "The day We shall summon every group of people with their Imam".[6] In Shia, the term Imam is used for the 12 infallible Imams who are the successors of the prophet and if it is used for other people (such as Imam Khomeini, Imam Khoei, etc.), it means supervisor and leader in its literal meaning. [1] . Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-Arab, vol. 12, p. 24. [2] . Abu Al-Qasim Hussein bin Muhammad, Ragheb Isfahani, mufradat alfaz alquran fi gharayb alquran, p, 87. « و الإِمام: المؤتمّ به، إنسانا كأن يقتدى بقوله أو فعله، أو كتابا، أو غير ذلك محقّا كان أو مبطلا، و جمعه: أئمة» [3] . Fakhruddin Torihi; al- Majmae al-Bahrayn, vol. 6, p. 10:" قوله: إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ‏ إِماماً أي يأتم بك الناس فيتبعونك و يأخذون عنك، لأن الناس‏ يَأُمُّونَ‏ أفعاله أي يقصدونها فيتبعونها."- Khalil bin Ahmed Farahidi; Al Ain, vol. 8, p. 426:" كل من اقتدي به، و قدم في الأمور فهو إمام" [4] . Sayyid al-Sharif, al-Ta'rifat, p.35; Bahrani, Qawa'id al-maram, p.174; Fadil al-Miqdad, Irshad al-talibin, p.325; Taftazani, Sharh al-maqasid, vol.5, p.234; Sayyid al-Sharif, Sharh al-mawaqif, vol.8, p.345 [5] . Hilli, al-Bab al-hadi 'ashar, p.66; Fadil al-Miqdad, Irshad al-talibin, p.325-326; Fadil al-Miqdad, al-Lawami' al-ilahiyya, p.319-320; Sayyid al-Sharif, Sharh al-mawaqif, vol.8, p.345; Amidi, Abkar al-afkar, vol.3, p.416; Taftazani, Sharh al-maqasid, vol.5, p.234. [6] . Al-Isra: 71, " "يَوْمَ نَدْعُو كُلَّ أُنَاسٍ بِإِمَامِهِم