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The Meaning of Imamah in Islam by Muslims of the Americas One of the most controversial of current religious issues is pertinent to the Islamic Imamate1 or the Absolute Leadership of the Muslims of the world. Here, we shall attempt to clear up some of the illusions and misconceptions in connection with it. A shaikh has mentioned in one of his discourses, “The most detrimental and divisive problems the Muslims face today is that so many ignorant, but rich, Muslims are trying to give opinions on Islamic issues for which they are not qualified to do. This is a situation which effects even the non-Muslims, who are generally left to form totally inaccurate concepts which are looked upon as dogma or authentic.” The conditions of the Imamate are actually based on the Divine Permission from Allah Ta’ala, and commissioned from Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam), the Holy Last Messenger. What this means is that with the physical departure of the Holy Last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad bin Abdullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) the station or rank of Risalah (Messengership) and also the Divine Revelation sent to Messengers (Wahi) from Almighty Allah are complete, and discontinued. The Creator has promised in His Revelations sent to man through His Messengers that He will not leave man without Guidance (which comes in the form of true dreams and pious beholdings), which we know as Mubashirat and Mushahidat (respectively). Also, the Creator has promised not to leave mankind without leadership, which would come in the form of the Imamate, that had been established by the progenitor of all religions, Nabi Ibrahim (alaihis-Salaam) in the Du’aa (prayer) that he made while building the Holy Ka’bah with his son, Hadrat Isma’il (alaihis-Salaam): When Ibrahim was tested by his Rabb (Allah) in certain matters and completed it (the test with success), (it was) said (unto him by Allah): “I shall raise ye as Imam of Mankind.” (Ibrahim said): “And from my descendants too?” (Allah) said, “My Promise shall not be for Zalimeen (evil doers).” (Holy Qur’an, Surah al-Baqarah, ayat 124) Mind it, he was already a Messenger, therefore Imamate is total leadership, unlike Risalah of many Messengers, whose message or mission was restricted to a particular clan, community, social, or religious aspect of life. Imamate is a function in totality, and it is not necessary for every Messenger to be an Imam, or every Imam to be a Messenger. Thus, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala chose the house of Hadrat Ibrahim for Imamate, and amongst his descendants a majority of them were either Messengers or Imams, until the manifestation of the one for whom Sayyidina Ibrahim (alaihis-Salaam) had made Du’a, the Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam), who Allah Ta’ala raised as Imam of Mursaleen (Messengers) and gave Hikmah (Wisdom), Rahmah (Mercy), and Generosity through his descendants, and made them Imams of all mankind, and thus purified them of all spiritual diseases, such as polytheism, worldly lusts, etc. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “Allah Desires to remove Rijis (spiritual impurities) O’ Ye Ahlul-Bayt, so as to keep you pure (outwardly and inwardly). (Surah al-Ahzab, ayat 33) Therefore, the Imamate by Divine Right must come from the righteous Imam, a descendant of the family of Hadrat Ibrahim (alaihis-Salaam) and his eldest son, Hadrat Isma’il (alaihis-Salaam), and through the finality of Messengerhood, Sayyidina Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) and continuing through his family, namely, by the marriage of his cousin, Hadrat Ali Murtaza to his daughter, the most blessed of ladies, Hadrat Sayyidah Fatimah az-Zahra, the Lady of Paradise (Radiy Allahu ta’ala ‘anhuma). Any person laying claim to the Imamate although such an individual is not of the family of the Holy Last Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) through either of his noble grandsons, The Imamain Sayyidain, Hadrat Imam al-Hasan and Hadrat al-Husain [millions of Salaams be upon them], has laid a claim of falsehood. We find twelve famous A’immah2 of the Ummah issuing forth for the establishing of Shari’ah, and discipline of Tariqah. Other than Imamian Hasan and Husain (Radhiyallahu 'anhuma), from amongst them were: Imam Zainul-Abidin Ali ibn al-Husain ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (i.e., the grandson of Hadrat Ali), who was followed by Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, Imam Musa al-Kazim, Imam Ali al-Reza, Imam Muhammad al-Taqi, and Imam Ali al-Naqi (radiyallahu 'anhum). All of the Twelve Imams were highly honored leaders of Muslims who fought against tyrants and oppressors. The majority of them were martyred, and all Muslims revere and honor them. In dealing with the advocates of false Imams and the consequences thereofIf we were to believe in the Holy Qur’an, Shari’ah, and Sunnah of the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam), and the conduct of the Twelve Imams, we would have to disbelieve in the Khomeinites (Shiite followers of a devil named “Ayatollah” Khomeini), and the Wahhabis, and the pseudo store-front Wahhabi and Shi’ah backed Imam of the West, because nowhere do they reach even the outer limits of Iman (Belief) which is necessary for the most ordinary of Muslims. The Khomeinites and Wahhabis are merciless schemers against dedicated Muslims and are enemies of Ahlul-Bayt, as well as the Sunnah of the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) whereas Zaid bin Arqam related that the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu 'alaihi wa Sallam) has said: “Verily, I am leaving among you two things to which if you adhere, you will never be misguided after me. One of the two is greater than the other: The Book of Allah, a rope extended from Heaven towards the Earth; and my ‘Itrit (descendants), the people of my house (Itrit; i.e.,Ahlul-Bayt). And they will never become separate till they have come to the Fountain (al-Kauthar). So see how you should differ from me about them.” (Tirmidhi) Thus, the righteous descendants will always be chosen by Allah Ta’ala as Imam. Now we see that the role of Imamate is very distinctive, and follows a pattern already illustrated by the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam). Mercy, generosity, and tolerance appear as an uppermost and salient feature of their character. Now as we look at the deeds of the imposters, the Khomeinites and the Wahhabis, we see in the Holy Qur’an is has been commanded that none shall take the life of a Muslim save in Qisas (retribution), and even in this instance lawfully, can only come about after decision has been taken by a Qadi with the help of witnesses. The Wahhabi and Khomeinites have murdered [thousands of] innocent Muslims [and especially Hashimites], even their own fellow countrymen without any trial or law. Simultaneously, they have waged war against Muslim countries. Their agents are saboteurs who appear under the guise of students, teachers, and preachers, and incite Muslims against the true Islamists, and sew seeds of dissention amongst the ranks of Muslims at every turn. They have been judged in the light of the Holy Qur’an, Ahadith, and noble traditions of the twelve Imams of Ahlul-Bayt, and since those who are Ahlus-Sunnah believe in them, we are prohibited from believing in those cults, who deeds magnify that they are tyrants, oppressors, and Dajjals of the era, and a test and trial for the believers. All of the earlier Imams established law and fought oppression; Khomeini and his following have abolished the very Creed of Al-Islam, “Laa ilaaha illallah Muhammad-ur-Rasulullah” (There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), and replaced it with “Laa ilaaha illallah Darood bara Khomeini” (There is no god but Allah. Blessings on Khomeini). [Astaghfirullah al-Azeem!!!] The people of the Sunnah, the lovers of Allah, Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) and Ahlul-Bayt must accept the warning given to the Muslims by the Holy Last Messenger of Allah concerning false Imams who would lead people far astray in the guise of Islam. It has been narrated by Hudhaifa bin al-Yaman, who said he asked the Holy Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam): “Will there be a bad time after good time (era).” He said “Yes.” I said, “How?” whereupon he said: “There will be leaders who will not be led by my Guidance (Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Nabi Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam), and who will not adopt my way. There will be among them (so-called leaders and Imams) men who will have hearts of devils in the bodies of human beings.” I said: “what shall I do, Ya Rasulullah, if I happen to live in that time?” He replied: “You will listen to Amir (Commander) and carry out his order, even if your back is flogged and your wealth is snatched, you should hear and obey.” The true Imam never interprets the Law according to his own desires, nor does he change the Law to accommodate the people (special interest groups) nor will he endeavor to make the law palatable to them. The main characteristic of the Allah-chosen Imam is that in him rests the epitome of the Mercy of Allah Almighty for all the people, regardless of color, national origin, or Madhhab. These are the immutable factors that establish the Imamate. With all the factors in place and the individual fulfilling all specifications the station or rank of the individual is that of “Imam,” or “Mujaddid,” and verily it is a station which the enemies of Allah, the Angels, and Jinn obey. They (the enemies of Allah) fear the station because it is divine, and has nothing to do with man’s choice, nor does the Allah-chosen Imam need or seek the approval of man. So this Divinely-arranged support is manifested, and it becomes necessary for the oppressors of men to rise in opposition of the Murshid-e-Kamil (Perfect Guide). Keeping this in mind, one can easily understand why the unjust heathens of the world are struggling so desperately to install and support the ideology of these false Imams. In the Western Hemisphere, they have taken full advantage of the rivalries that exist among Muslim Americans, and with their oil dollars acquired from the pockets of their alleged “enemies,” namely America, Israel, etc., they sew discord among these young Muslims. These individuals, under the guise of Imam, Shaikh, or Mujaddid, have misused Al-Islam to suit their own interests. Their brand of “Islam” has no place for the Sunnah (Traditions) of the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam), nor the Wahi (Divine Revelation) sent to him by Allah Ta’ala. They have projected themselves as the law over that of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Sayyidina Rasul-e-Akram (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam). Their intention is to destroy anyone who does not believe or acknowledge their Imamate, and to put out the light of pure, unadulterated Islam. Endnotes |
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