DOES THE TERM "IMAM" IN SHIA ISLAM IMPLY A SPECIFIC APPINTMENT, OR CAN IT BE USED FOR OTHERS AS WELL?

[Taqavi]

Does the term "Imam" in Shia Islam imply a specific appointment, or can it be used for others as well?

 

Initially, it should be stated that the word Imam originates from the root "امّ", which means foundation, reference, congregation, and religion.[1] Therefore, an Imam is someone who is followed, whether it be a person whose words and actions are emulated, a book, or anything else, whether this following is valid and correct or false and incorrect. [2]

This term (Imam and Imams) has been used 12 times in the Quran, which in most cases is used in its literal sense and in some verses such as; " We made them Imams, guiding by Our command"[3] or "Indeed, I am making you the Imam of mankind."[4] , intends a particular meaning that indicates a status and position that is appointed only by God.

Thus, Imamate, in technical terms, means religious leadership over everyone, encompassing the encouragement of all to uphold religious and worldly interests and also the prevention of anything that harms their religion and worldly life[5].

In explaining the verse “Indeed, I am making you the Imam of mankind”[6] Imam Sadiq states that God appointed Abraham as a prophet, messenger, and friend before making him an imam. And because the position of imamate appeared very high to Abraham, he asked God to also grant this position to his offspring.[7] Accordingly, the imamate in the Quran is seen as a lofty divine status given only by God.

Use of the word imam in its literal sense has happened many times:

In verses of the Quran like; "We made them Imams (leaders) who invite to the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they will not receive any help",[8] "Yet before it the Book of Moses was a guide and a mercy",[9] "then fight the leaders of unfaith",[10] or "The Day We shall summon every group of people with their Imam".[11] Here, the use of this term (Imam) outside of its technical meaning in God’s speech is based on context, and refers to leadership other than that divine status.

In narrations too, the term Imam has been used frequently in its literal sense, "It is upon the Imam of the Muslims to compensate its value to its owner from the share of freeing slaves"[12] here, imam means the leader of the society. In another narration, it is said, "If the Mukatab (contractual servant) fails, then there is no responsibility except on the Imam of the Muslims.",[13] or elsewhere it is stated, "And the Imam shall pay its value to its owner from the treasury",[14] making it clear that the term Imam in these narrations does not refer to an infallible Imam.

Even Muslims have used the word Imam for distinguished scientific or political personalities, such as; Imam Khomeini, Imam Khoie, Imam Musa Sadr, etc..., wherein all these cases, the term Imam is used in its literal meaning as leader or pioneer.

As a result, it is stated that the use of the word imam in the technical sense is exclusive to the infallible imams to whom God has granted this status; however, the use of the word imam in its literal sense for the non-infallible is not problematic and has been applied on several occasions.

 

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[1] . Ma'jam Maqayis al-Lughah: Ibn Faris; vol: 1, p21.

[2] . Ragheb Isfahani, mufradat alfaz alquran fi gharayb alquran, p, 87.

[3] . Al-Anbiya': 73. «و جعلناهم ائمة یهدون بامرنا»

[4] . Al-Baqarah: 124. «إنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إمَاماً»

[5] . Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi; Qawa'id al-Aqa'id, p; 108.

[6] . Al-Baqarah: 124. «إنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إمَاماً»

[7] . Al-Sheikh al-Kulayni: Al-Kafi; vol;1, p;175.

[8] . Al-Qasas: 41. «وَ جَعَلْناهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ وَ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ لا يُنْصَرُونَ»

[9] . Al-Ahqaf: 12. «وَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ کِتابُ مُوسى إماماً وَ رَحْمَةً»

[10] . Al-Tawbah: 12. «فَقاتِلْوا اَئِمَّةَ الْکُفْرِ»

[11] . Al-Isra': 71. «یَوْمَ نَدْعو کُلُّ اُناس بِاِمامِهِمْ»

[12] . al-Sheikh al-Kulayni: Al-Kafi: vol;7, p: 235.

[13] . Ibid: vol; 7, p: 308.

[14] . Ibid: vol; 7, p: 235