After the Prophet died, Islam spread very quickly throughout the world, and millions of people converted to Islam within a period of a few centuries.  Means of communication and the media were primitive compared to what we have nowadays, and it was evident that there was a dire need for authorities in religion.

    Of all the authorities, those foremost in the lead were the Ahlul Bayt, the Imams, from Imam Ali down to Al-Mahdi, the twelfth Imam.  These Imams reigned over a period of more than three centuries, and their contribution to the consolidation of Islamic knowledge and the Shari'ah was immense.  Under one of them, no less than 4,000 students graduated, many of whom became great leaders in Islamic law, jurisprudence, and philosophy. 

BEING HEAVENLY APPOINTED?  

▪   A Designated Imam is a man of purity and profound depth of Islamic knowledge, of extremely high caliber in interpreting the Shari'ah.  Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) told the people a number of times about these Imams. (Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol 4, Page 164.  Also Sahih Muslim Page 119 (Both are Sunni in school of Islamic thought).  They reported that the Prophet (pbuh) mentioned the number of the Imams after him will be twelve.)

Having been so singled out, these men of purity were most privileged in having been so appointed, to carry on their awesome task so splendidly in spite of any and all odds against them.

▪   Imamah is a succession-in-command to the role of the Prophet, and the Imams were to lead the Ummah and teach Islam in all its ramifications.

▪   Imamah is only conferred by Allah Almighty.  Each Imam proclaimed who was to succeed him.  Since the Imamah is Designated by Allah, there was no place at all for people to elect an Imam or choose him.

▪   The term Imam is used here in a strict sense, to mean Ahlul Bayt, the specific twelve, starting from Imam Ali the Prince of the Believers , to Imam Al-Mahdi .

▪   Being a Designated Imam is not a choice of the people, subject to elections or negotiations.  It was Muhammad (pbuh) who proclaimed Ali to be his successor-in-command. (Sahih Muslim, Babul Fadha'il Vol 3, Page 122.  Also Al-Sawaa'iq Al-Muhriqa by Ibin Hajar the Shafi'i, Page 182 and 234.).  He also specified both Al-Hasan and Al-Husain in a profound declaration.  The Hadith of Thaqalain is well known, it says:

إني تاركٌ فيكم الثقلين: كتاب الله عز وجل، وعترتي أهل بيتي   وأنَّ اللطيف الخبير أخبرني أنهما لن يفترقا حتى يردا عليَّ الحوض، فانظروا كيف تخلفوني فيهما

 (عن الإمام أحمد عن أبي سعيد الخدري عن الرسول)

I AM ABOUT TO LEAVE THIS WORLD.  I AM LEAVING TO YOU (THE UMMAH) TWO WEIGHTY MATTERS:

THE BOOK OF ALLAH AND THE MEMBERS OF MY HOUSE. ALLAH HAS INFORMED ME THAT THEY WILL NOT SEPARATE UNTIL THEY COME TO THE POOL OF BLESSING (IN PARADISE)

SEE THAT YOU HOLD TO THEM WELL AFTER ME.

WHAT KIND OF MEN WERE AHLUL BAYT  

Being All-Knowing and All-Perceptive, Allah chooses the ideal person for the task.  When Allah chose a Prophet, the Prophet was the spiritual king and the religious ruler, whether people liked it or not, whether they believed in him or not, and whether they fought him or not.

Therefore a Prophet was an unblemished man, without sin, mistakes, or forgetfulness.  A Prophet did not make laws, rather it was Allah who made the laws and the Prophet who preached them.  Allah was the Maker of the Laws, and because of that, it was OBJECTIVE, it was NOT SUBJECTIVE—there were no human elements of passion or desire in these laws.

The actions of the Prophets were totally in accordance with Allah's laws, strictly to the letter.  These actions were not subject to the cravings of men, their likes or dislikes.

The same thing applies to Ahlul Bayt, to the successors-in-command of the Prophet, the twelve designated Imams, with one very basic difference; they were not supposed to, and they did not, receive any revelations from Allah.

Not unlike the Prophets, the twelve Imams were a unique breed, they were the best of men, superb in their qualities, splendid in their nature:

1. Ahlul Bayt said nothing but the absolute truth and did nothing except what was Islamic.

2. Ahlul Bayt were extremely sharp in their thinking and in the way they solved difficult religious problems.

3. Ahlul Bayt educated people in Islam and explained it.  They lived Islam and were the very best to represent it.

4. Ahlul Bayt were people of honor, reverence, admiration, and esteem.

5. Ahlul Bayt were people of dignity and renown.

6. Ahlul Bayt were people constantly sought out by others who wanted to learn Islam at their hands.

7. Ahlul Bayt were generous in guiding people, teaching them, and educating them in Islam and the Islamic Shari'ah.

The Quran and the Shari'ah were at the core of Ahlul Bayt's activity, and they were constantly absorbed in showing the way to others.  Many of the highest scholars in Islam learned at their hands; therefore, Ahlul Bayt acted as the cementing factor consolidating the teachings of Islam.

Each one of the twelve Imams was a man of profound knowledge, a man of purity and honesty, a man of equity and sincerity.  They were trusted and loved by the multitude and this brought envy into the hearts of autocratic rulers and the politicians of their administration.  The envy and jealousy in the hearts of such rulers (who were dictatorial) brought resentment and fear.  This fear lead to intrigue, to conniving, and to duplicity against the Imams.  In the end, almost every Imam lost his life by either being poisoned or brutally killed.

THE IMAMS' KNOWLEDGE  

Just like their forefather, Prophet Muhammad, none of these descendants had any special schooling.  Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) didn't learn how to read and write, yet, through Allah's will he was of the highest culture, of enormous knowledge, of the greatest enlightenment, and of the best comprehension.

Allah is best as the teacher in the heart of man.  In doing His works in the heart of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) a miraculous store of knowledge evolved.  And none is a better teacher, overseer or tutor than the High One above, Allah Himself.

The very same thing took place with each and every Designated Imam, from Ali down the line to Al-Mahdi.  Allah Himself had sanctified them and purified them, and He attested to that in the Holy Quran. (Surah  33:  Ayah  33)   

 إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا

 VERILY ALLAH WANTS TO KEEP AWAY IMPURITY FROM YOU, AHLUL BAYT, AND SANCTIFY YOU IN THE BEST MANNER.

The Imams learned about the Quran and the Shari'ah in their homes:  Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to Ali and his two sons, then from father to son down the line.  They learned all there was to learn about Islam in all its details, purely and clearly.

The Imams' knowledge was truly vast, and their capacity to solve people's numerous problems and questions was great indeed.  This capacity was so enormous that not once did anyone ask them a question which they could not answer, not even once!  This was the case with all of them, over those three centuries during which their religious guidance continued, spanning a period over almost eleven generations.

The Imams were inspired, (Ilham) a clear inspiration that was always sharp and to the point.  This was their means of finding answers to any question given to them, i.e., a question or a problem that was fresh and had not been dealt with before religiously.  The spirit of inspiration was true in the heart of each and everyone of them.  That is the reason there were no contradictions at all from one Imam to another, though there was a span of 300 years between the first and the last of them!  There was no contradiction in the way they answered questions or solved people's problems.  You see why we say their teaching is the good way—that is because their teaching is the same as that of Muhammad (pbuh) without alterations from other people's ideas!

THE PROPHET (PBUH) FORETELLS  

    The Prophet (pbuh) foretold about the twelve succeeding Imams to many of his Companions, at different occasions.  (Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol 4, Page 164.  Also Sahih Muslim Page 119 Both are Sunni sources).  They reported that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned the number of the Imams)  A good many Hadiths can be referred to in that respect.  In some Hadiths, even the names of the Imams were mentioned.  (According to Yanabi' Al-Mawadda by Al-Qandoozi (who is Hanafi, a Sunni source) the Prophet mentioned each of the twelve Imams by name)  What this means is that Muhammad (pbuh) received this information from Jubra'eel (Gabriel), and that he had a good idea of what was ahead.

    Besides that, Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned to the people on a number of occasions that there would be twelve successors after him, those who will carry the torch of Islam ever so high.

    As for the choice of his first successor-in-command, this took place on a special occasion after his last Haj.  After arriving at a place called Ghadeer Khum, 3 miles north of Mecca, Muhammad (pbuh) received a Revelation as a command to announce his appointment: (Surah  5:  Ayah  67)

 يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ

وَاللّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ

 O' MESSENGER, DELIVER WHAT HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU FROM YOUR LORD, AND IF YOU DO NOT, THEN, (IT IS AS IF) YOU HAVE NOT DELIVERED HIS MESSAGE, AND ALLAH WILL PROTECT YOU FROM (THE MISCHIEF OF) PEOPLE.

Upon receiving this Revelation the Prophet (pbuh) stopped his march and the march of the thousands upon thousands of Hajjies.  People came from all around because they expected something very special to take place.  Slowly the hustle and bustle quieted down, and the people could feel an aura of suspense over the place.  Hearts were beating with expectation, and were full of feelings of love, contentment, and satisfaction.

    They saw Muhammad, Allah's Messenger, to go to an elevation.  His face was shining with affection, and it was radiant with contentment and happiness.  Beside him was Ali: muscular, strong looking, radiating confidence and warmth.

Muhammad (pbuh) gave a speech, a long oration.  It was a speech that was resolute and firm, whereby he also spoke of his approaching end.

    Then, he raised Ali's arm, and affectionately declared:

 من كنتُ مولاه فهذا عليٌّ مولاه،   اللهمَّ والِ مَنْ والاه وعادِ مَنٍ عاده

وانصرْ مَنْ نَصِرَه واخذُلْ من خَذَله

 وأَدِر الحقَّ مَعَهُ حيثا دار

WHOMSO I AM HIS OVERLORD  SO THIS ALI WILL BE HIS OVERLORD (after I die),

O' LORD!  UPHOLD HIM WHO UPHOLDS ALI;

ANTAGONIZE HIM WHO ANTAGONIZES ALI;

ADVANCE HIM WHO ADVANCES ALI;

IMPEDE HIM WHO IMPEDES ALI,

AND TURN THE TRUTH WITH ALI WHEREVER HE GOES!

 (Sahih Muslim Vol 2, Page 362.  Also Mustadrak Al-Haakim Vol 3, Page 154.  Also Masnad Ahmad Vol 4, Page 33 (all Sunni sources.)

This was a declaration of profound importance, because the Prophet (pbuh) had officially announced in front of all the people, in their thousands, that Ali was to be the Ummah Commander after the Prophet.

    Ali was the chosen one.  Thus, Imamah was initiated and it had become official, and people came to congratulate Ali.  Everyone was quite happy at the news, and they came singularly or in groups, to express their feelings to Ali and to congratulate him from the bottom of their hearts.

Ali also received an additional honor at this occasion as "THE PRINCE OF THE BELIEVERS" .  In the forefront to congratulate Ali was the noted Companion, Omar ibn Khattab  عمر بن الخطاب, he congratulated him saying: 

بخٍ بخٍ لكَ يا عليّ،  أصْبَحتَ مولاي ومولى كلُّ مؤمنٍ ومؤمنه 

 "CONGRATULATIONS, CONGRATULATIONS O' ALI, NOW YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF ME AND EVERY BELIEVER, MEN OR WOMEN." 

(Mus'nad Ahmad Ibin Hanbal Vol 4, Page 281.  Al-Ghazali in his book "Sirrul Aalameen" Page 12.  Also Al-Tibari in Al-Riyaadh Al-Nadhirah, Vol 2, Page 169.)

TO FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS  

    On the great occasion of Ghadeer Khum, Ali was the privileged one, and he was honored by Allah's Messenger in a unique way.  He was the Prince of the Believers, and he was to be the first Imam after the Prophet (pbuh) and to follow him and to lead the Ummah.

    With this, an avenue was opened, a way was shown for the people to follow, and the way would continue to be the Good Way for the people.  Ali and his descendants down to Al-Mahdi, would be the very ones to be sought out for information and guidance.  The ones who would continue to disclose Islamic knowledge whenever asked.  These are Ahlul Bayt and they are the ones we love and admire, appreciate and praise.  They are the ones whose way and teachings we follow.  We refrain from what they asked us to refrain from, because their teachings are the teachings of Muhammad (pbuh) without modifications.  By following their teachings we will attain new heights in Islamic performance, in spiritual achievement, in goodness of character.

    Suffice it to say that Allah has revealed a Surah about them to Muhammad (pbuh) in the Quran:   (Surah  42:  Ayah  23)

 قُل لا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلاّ الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَى

 SAY (O' MUHAMMAD):  I DO NOT ASK OF YOU A RECOM­PENSE (FOR THE TOIL OF PROPHETHOOD) EXCEPT AFFEC­TION FOR (MY) RELATIVES. 

RULE OF THE IMAMS  

    Imamah was by appointment and not by inheritance.  It was done this way from the first to the last Imam.  The incumbent Imam would appoint the one to follow him.

    In addition to their outstanding knowledge and profound know-how in Islam, and in addition to their guiding and teaching the people in their religion, there was another major responsibility that was most important and substantial.  It was a role that was denied them by the power-hungry dictatorial rulers and politicians of the times.  That role was denied them often by brute force, or coercion at other times.

The Imams were to be the Heads of State, in charge of administration of the Islamic Ummah.  It was to be the administration along the Islamic directives and injunctions, in a just and fair manner just as Islam had come to recommend.  Ahlul Bayt were to administer the Islamic Ummah, the whole Muslim nation of their times along the true Islamic teachings.

WERE THE IMAMS SAFEGUARDED TOO?  

    The twelve Imams, from Ali to Al-Mahdi, were men of purity, and the highest degree of righteousness.  Every one of them had a profound knowledge in Islam and the Shari'ah.  They were men of the greatest integrity, nobility, and capability.  They were men of intelligence, keen-minded and sharp.  They were men of patience and understanding.

    They were men whom Allah had safeguarded all through their lives.  Allah has safeguarded them from mistakes and from sins, and He made them immune to any fallacies.  By being so safeguarded, they are called Ma'soom.  The process of divine protection from mistakes and sins is called Ismah.

Allah declares in the Holy Quran in (Surah  33:  Ayah  33):

  إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا

 VERILY VERILY ALLAH WANTS TO KEEP AWAY IMPURITY

FROM YOU, O'AHLUL BAYT,

AND SANCTIFY YOU IN THE BEST MANNER.

TELL ME THEIR NAMES:  

The Imams are as follows by name and nick name.  The dates are those of the Islamic (Hijrah) calendar:

The last one is the awaited one, the one about whom Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) foretold many, many a time.

Questions  

Imamah:

1. Was there a need for the institution of Imamah?

2. Were the Imams Heavenly appointed?

3. Mention 5 important points about the Imamah.

4. What are the two weighty matters Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) left after he died?

5. What 7 points distinguish Ahlul Bayt from others?

6. How many did Ahlul Bayt consist of?

7. What did the Holy Quran say about Ahlul Bayt which meant their Ismah?

8. For how long did the Imams pass on the Corpus of Islamic Knowledge to the people?

9. What is Ilham?

10. Did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) foretell about the Imams?

11. What happened during Ghadeer Khum?

12. Which Ayah of the Holy Quran was revealed prior to Ghadeer Khum?

13. Explain the importance of Ghadeer Khum?

14. 88.What did Omar say to Ali immediately after the Prophet's declaration about Ali in Ghadeer Khum?

15. Explain about the rule of the Imams.

16. Who was the first Imam?

17. Who is the last Imam