WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE IMAM?

[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]

 

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[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.