Conditions for the Successor of the Prophet (s): Difference between revisions

=== Infallibility ===

The Imam and the caliph must be [[infallible]], meaning they are free from sins, errors, and faults. If the Imam is not infallible, trust in Islamic law would be undermined; indeed, if the guardian of the religion commits a sin or error, they could add elements to the religion and attribute them to [[God]], or render unjust judgments. Moreover, since ordinary people are prone to error and need someone to prevent them from committing sins and mistakes and to guide them on the right path, if the Imam were also prone to error, this would contradict the very purpose of their role.<ref>Khānsārī, Muḥammad Bāqir, Inṣāf dar Imāmat, ṣ 35, Nashr-e Ṣadūq, 1371 sh.</ref>

=== Divine Investiture ===

The Imamate and caliphate represent God and the [[Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]]; therefore, they must be established through explicit designation by God and the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Since their establishment is limited to divine designation, others do not have the right to appoint the Imam. Indeed, if the selection of the Imam were left to people's discretion, disputes would arise among them, with each group choosing and favoring their own candidate. Therefore, the Imam must necessarily be appointed by God and the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.<ref>Khānsārī, Muḥammad Bāqir, Inṣāf dar Imāmat, ṣ 31, Nashr-e Ṣadūq, 1371 sh.</ref>

=== Knowledge ===

According to [[Shiite]] theologians, the Imam and the caliph of the Prophet peace and blessings of [[Allah]] be upon him must be knowledgeable in all matters that Muslims need, both religious and worldly, as the purpose of appointing the Imam is for Muslims to seek his guidance in resolving all their affairs. The [[Twelver Shiites]] believe that knowledge and competence in the matter of Imamate must be of the highest degree. Shiite sources maintain that the Imam must possess comprehensive and infallible knowledge of all Islamic sciences and laws, for without such knowledge, the purpose of the Imamate—the preservation and exposition of Islamic law—cannot be fully realized.<ref>Subḥānī, Ja‘far (1387 sh), Dāneshnāma-ye Kalām-e Islāmī, j 1, Qom: Mu’assasa-ye Imām Ṣādiq, ṣ 426-430.</ref>

=== Superiority ===

The Imam must surpass all Muslims in virtuous qualities such as knowledge, wisdom, generosity, nobility, courage, [[Magnanimity|magnanimity]], [[Justice|justice]], piety, and devotion, and must be the most exemplary.<ref>Khānsārī, Muḥammad Bāqir, Inṣāf dar Imāmat, ṣ 32.</ref> The superiority of the Imam is a belief shared by certain sects, including the [[Zaydis]] and [[Ismailis]]. Furthermore, some scholars, like [[Mullā Ṣadrā]], maintain that the [[Imams]] are superior to all other creatures in their essence and occupy higher ranks in the hierarchy of creation.<ref>Subḥānī, Ja‘far (1387 sh), Dāneshnāma-ye Kalām-e Islāmī, j 1, Qom: Mu’assasa-ye Imām Ṣādiq, ṣ 426-430.</ref>

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== References ==

[[رده:اختلافات شیعه و سنی]]

[[fa:شرایط جانشین پیامبر(ص)]]

[[bn:মহনবী (সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়া আলিহি)-এর উত্তরসূরির শর্তাবলী]]