The Shia believe that the rank of Imamat (the position of a divinely-
appointed leader) is higher than that of prophethood and messengership.
Note that here we are comparing the rank of positions and not the rank of
persons. As such, two divinely appointed Imams which both have the highest
possible position from Allah, may have different ranks. For instance, out
of the twelve Imams of Ahlul-Bayt, Imam Ali (AS) is the most virtuous. Also
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) is more virtuous than Imam Ali (AS) thought they
were both appointed by Allah as leaders.
In other words, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) is has the highest rank among
mankind, and is the most virtuous creature of God and the most honored
before Allah. The above belief does not undermine his position since
Prophet Muhammad was an Imam during his time as well!
However, comparing the * duty * of prophet and Imam is like comparing
apples and oranges or is like comparing the duty of a physician and an
engineer. Imamat and prophethood are totally different functions though
they may gather in one person such as Prophet Muhammad or Prophet Abraham,
peace be upon them.
===================
Evidence from Quran
===================
People who are familiar with Quran to some extent, know that this belief is
not a weird-thing. In fact, Quran testifies that the position of Imamat is
higher than the position of prophethood and messengership. Allah, to whom
belong Might and Majesty, said:
"And when Abraham was tested by his Lord with certain commands and he
fulfilled them. Then He said: Lo! I appoint you an Imam for mankind."
(Quran 2:124).
وَإِذِ ابْتَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا قَالَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيتِي قَالَ لَا ينَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ(البقرة/124)
As we can see, Prophet Abraham was further tested by Allah during his
prophethood, and when he successfully passed the tests (which were the test
on his life, leaving his wife, sacrificing his son), he was granted the
position of Imamat. This shows position of Imamat is higher in degree
than prophethood which has been given to him later after acquiring more
qualifications. Degrees are always granted in ascending order. We have not
seen any person who got his Ph.D. degree first, and then gets his
highschool diploma. At least in the administration of God there is no such
mess!
The first degree of Abraham, may the blessing of Allah be upon him, was
becoming a servant of Allah ('Abd), then he became Prophet (Nabi), then he
became Messenger (Rasul), then he became a Confident (Khalil), and then he
finally became Imam.
BTW, the above verse of Quran (2:124) proves that Allah assigns Imam,
and the designation of Imam is not the business of people.
Below is the Sunni commentary of Yusuf Ali on the above verse (2:124):
Kalimat, literally "words", here used in the mystic sense of God's
Will or Decree or Purpose. This verse may be taken to be the sum
of the verses following. In everything Abraham fulfilled God's
wish: he purified God's house; he built the sacred refuge of the
Kaba; he submitted his will to God's (referring to sacrifice of his
son)
He was promised the leadership of the world; he pleaded
for his progeny, and his prayer was granted, with the limitation
that if his progeny was false to God, God's promise did not reach
the people who proved themselves false.
As we see, Quran clearly justifies the Shi'ite point of view in this
matter. But again, since Prophet Abraham, Prophet Muhammad, and few others
were also Imams, such belief (i.e., Imamat higher than prophethood) does
not undermine their position.
Imam means a person who is appointed by God as a leader and as a guide (see
Quran 21:73 and 32:24) to whom obedience is due, and whom people should
follow. Messengers are Warners and Imams are Guides (13:7). Imams are the
Stars of Guidance (6:97).
Muhammad (PBUH&HF) was a Prophet, a Messenger, and an Imam. By His death
the door of prophethood and messengership was closed for ever. But the door
of Imamat (leadership) remained open because he had successors (Caliphs;
deputies). Successor means a person who succeeds the position of the
previous one. It is the obvious that successors of Prophet Muhammad did not
share anything about his position of prophethood and messengership. What
remained for them was Imamat (leadership). And the number of these Imams
are twelve as the Prophet himself testified. Also note that Quran clearly
says that Imam and Caliph is assigned by God and this designation has
nothing to do with people. For more evidence in the assignment of Imam by
Allah, see the following verses of Quran: 38:20 (about David), 2:124 (about
Abraham), 2:30 (about Adam), and 7:142, 20:29-36, 25:35 (about Aaron).
A Wahhabi contributor implied that the Shia are non-Muslims because they
believe the above thing (Imamat higher than Messengership) while he did not
present any single evidence from Quran and authentic Hadith against it. But
I have presented a proof from Quran, and as such, better better be their
own judge as to whether you are a Muslims or not.
As for Angels, Muslims agree that the level of the prophets are higher than
that of angels. Quran states that all angels prostrated Adam. This is
enough to prove that the rank of the prophets is higher than that of
angels. And based on the previous conclusion that the position of Imamat is
higher than that of prophethood, the position of Imamat will be higher than
the rank of angels as well.
=============================================
Evidence from Sunni Collections of Traditions
=============================================
The Shia further believe that the twelve Imams of the House of Prophet
Muhammad have the rank higher than that of ALL the messengers (be Imam or
not) except Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF). In other words, the Status of the
successors of the Seal of the Prophets is higher than that of the
successors of all the previous prophets. (Note that the sucessors of the
previous Prophets were themselves prophets). Need Sunni reference? Here are
some:
- Imam Ali (AS) having the highest virtues of the early great Messengers:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) said: "He who wants to see
Noah (AS) in his determination, Adam (AS) in his knowledge,
Abraham (AS) in his clemency, Moses (AS) in his intelligence
and Jesus (AS) in his religious devotion should look at Ali
Ibn Abi Talib (AS)."
Sunni references:
- Sahih al-Bayhaqi
- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, as quoted in
- Sharh Ibn Abi al-Hadid, v2, p449
- Tafsir al-Kabir, by Fakhruddin al-Razi, under the commentary of the
Verse of Impreciation (Mubilah), v2 p288. He wrote this tradition
has been accpeted as all genuine.
- Ibn Batah has recorded it as a tradition related by Ibn Abbas as is
stated in the book "Fat'h al-Mulk al-Ali bi Sihah Hadith-e-Bab-e-
Madinat al-Ilm", p34, by Ahmed Ibn Muhammad Ibn Siddiq al-Hasani al-
Maghribi.
- Among those who have admitted that Imam Ali (AS) is the store house
of the secrets of all the Prophets is the Chief of Gnostics, Muhi al-
Din al-Arabi, from whom al-Arif al-Sha'arni has copied it in his al-
Yuwaqit wa al-Jawahir (p172, topic 32).
- The Light (Noor) of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and Ali (AS) preceded the
creation of Adam (AS):
Salman al-Farsi (RA) narrated that:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) saying: "I myself, and
Ali were one light in the hands of Allah fourteen thousand years
(14,000) before He created Adam (AS). When Allah created Adam
(AS) He divided that light into two parts, one part is me and one
part Ali."
Sunni References:
- Mizan Al-Ei'tidal, by al-Dhahabi, v1, p235
- Fada'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p663, Tradition #1130
- al-Riyadh al-Nadhirah, by al-Muhib al-Tabari, v2, p164, v3, p154
- History of Ibn Asakir
Remark: "hand of Allah" means His power. The phrase "within the hands
of Allah" means in His presence, domain, realm, kingdom.
This clearly shows that the rank of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) and
Imam Ali (AS) are better than any human being ever created by Allah.
- No one crosses the Path except by a passport from Ali (AS):
Anas Ibn Malik narrated:
"When Abu Bakr neared death,..., Abu Bakr said that he heard the
Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) saying: That there is an obstacle on
the Path which no one crosses unless with a passport (permission)
from Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS). And I heard the Messenger of Allah
(PBUH&HF) saying: "I am the seal of the prophets and you, Ali,
the seal of the Awliyaa."
Sunni references:
- Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v10, p356
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 9, subheading 2, p195
Imam Ali (AS) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) said: When Allah gathers the
first-ones and the last-ones on the Day of Judgment, and the Path
has been erected on the bridge of Hell, no one can cross it
unless he had along proof of allegiance (Wilaya) to Ali Ibn Abi
Talib."
Sunni reference: al-Riyadh al-Nadhirah, by Muhibbuddin al-Tabari, v2,
p172
- Ali (AS) is the divider of People to Paradise and Hell:
"The prophet (PBUH&HF) said to Ali (AS): You are the divider of
Paradise and Hell on the Day of Judgment, you say to Hell: This
one for me and that one for you."
Sunni reference: al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 9,
subheading 2, p195
"Ali (AS) said: I am the alloter/divider of Hell."
Sunni references:
- Kanzul Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, v6, p402
- Radd al-Shams, by Shathan Al-Fudhaily
"The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) has said: Ali is the divider of
Hell."
Sunni reference: Kunooz Al-Haqa'iq, by Abdul Raouf al-Manawi, p92
And here is a poem from al-Shafi'i (one of the four Sunni Imams):
"Ali will judge mankind and allot them either paradise or hell.
He was the leader of men and Jinns, the true Testator of the Holy
Prophet. If the followers of Ali are 'Rafidhi' verily I am one of
that sect. Ali at the time of breaking of the symbols in the
Ka'ba put his feet on that shoulder where God had put his hand on
the 'Night of Mi'raj' and verily Ali was that into whose eyes
shone the light of God."
Do I need to comment?! Now look at what your master Umar said on the
virtue of Imam Ali (AS):
Umar Ibn al-Khattab said: "If all the seven planets, and the all
the seven heavens are put in one scale of balance and the faith
of Ali in the other, Ali's pan will turn the scales."
Sunni References:
- al-Riyadh al-Nadhirah, by Muhibbuddin al-Tabari
- Izalat al-Khifa Maqsad
- Ali (AS) the best of people after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF):
"...Jabir said: The messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) said: Ali is the
best of humanity (after me), so whoever has doubt is a Kafir."
Sunni references:
- Kinooz Al-Haqa'iq, by Abdul Raouf al-Manawi, p92
- Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v7, p421
Here is another one:
...Zar quoting Abdullah, quoting Ali (AS), that the Prophet
(PBUH&HF) said: "Whoever does not say that Ali is the best in my
people, is a Kafir."
Sunni references:
- Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v3, p19
- Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, v9, p419
also Barida narrated:
The messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) said to Fatimah (AS) that: "I
gave you in marriage to the best in my Ummah, the most
knowledgeable in them, the best in patience in them, and the
first Muslim among them."
Sunni reference: Kanz al-Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, v6, p398
Now, let us now look at a future episode on the appearance of Imam Mahdi
(AS) (the last Imam of the House of the Prophet(PBUH&HF)). Sunnis have
narrated in their authentic books that when Imam Mahdi (AS) comes, Prophet
Jesus (AS) will descent and will pray behind him. This clearly shows that
the rank of Imam Mahdi (AS) is higher than that of Prophet Jesus who was
one of the five greatest messengers of Allah. It is narrated in Sahih
Muslim that:
Jabir Ibn Abdillah al-Ansari (RA) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah
saying: "A group of my Ummah will fight for the truth until near the
day of judgment when Jesus, the son of Marry, will descend, and the
leader of them will ask him to lead the prayer, but Jesus declines,
saying: "No, Verily, among you Allah has made leaders for others and
He has bestowed his bounty upon them."
Sunni reference:
- Sahih Muslim, Arabic, part 2, p193
- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v3, pp 45,384
- Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, p251
- Nuzool Isa Ibn Maryam Akhir al-Zaman, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p57
- Musnad, by Abu Ya'ala which provides another version of the tradition
with more clear words on the authority of Jabir that the Messenger of
Allah said: "A group among my Ummah will continue to fight for the truth
until Jesus, the son of Marry, will descend, and the Imam of them will
ask him to lead the prayer, but Jesus replies: "You have more right to it
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
and verily Allah has hnonored some of you over others in this Ummah."
Ibn Abu Shaybah, another Sunni traditionist, and the mentor of al-Bukhari
and Muslim, has reported several traditions about Imam al-Mahdi (AS). He
has also reported that the Imam of the Muslims who will lead Prophet Jesus
in prayer is Imam al-Mahdi himself.
Jalaluddin al-Suyuti mentioned that: "I have heard some of the deniers of
(truth) deny what has been conveyed about Jesus that when he descends will
pray the Fajr prayer behind al-Mahdi. They say, Jesus has higher status
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
than to pray behind a non-Prophet. This is a bizarre opinion since the
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
issue of prayer of Jesus behind al-Mahdi has been proven strongly via
numerous authentic traditions from the Messenger of Allah, who is the most
truthful." And then al-Suyuti goes on narrating some of the traditions in
this regard. (See Nuzool Isa Ibn Maryam Akhir al-Zaman, by Jalaluddin al-
Suyuti, p56).
Also al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani mentioned that:
"The Mahdi is of this Ummah, and that Jesus (PBUH&HF) will come down
and pray behind him."
Sunni reference: Fat'h al-Bari, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, v5, p362
This is also mentioned by another scholar, Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, who
wrote:
"The Ahlul-Bayt are like the stars through whom we are guided in the
right direction, and if the starts are taken away (or hidden) we would
come face to face with the signs of the Almighty as promised (i.e.,
the Day of Resurrection). This will happen when the Mahdi will come,
as mentioned in the traditions, and the Prophet Jesus will say his
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
prayers behind him, the Dajjal will be slain, and then the signs of
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
the Almighty will appear one after another."
Sunni reference: Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch 11, p91
All these clearly show that the rank of Imam Mahdi (AS) is higher than that
of Prophet Jesus (AS) who was one of the five greatest messengers of Allah.
======================
Are the Imams Inspired
======================
There is no doubt that when the verse:
"Today I have perfected your religion and completed my bounty upon
you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion." (Quran 5:3)
the religion completed. Allah revealed Quran as well as the Shari'ah
(Divine law) ONLY to the Prophet (PBUH&HF), and non of such things was
revealed to Imam Ali (AS). If Imam Ali was inspired (ILHAM) it had nothing
to do with religious commandments; it was rather about what happened and
what will happen.
There are many methods that Allah may inform His servants of something. One
way is revelation (WAHY). The other way is inspiration (ILHAM). By
inspiration, Allah induces the knowledge into the heart of His servant.
This is unanimously held by the all the Islamic Schools.
But do you really think revelation (WAHY) is only for the prophets and the
messengers? If yes, then you have contradicted Quran, for Quran confirms
that Allah sent revelation (WAHY) to the mother of Moses. The mother of
Moses was neither a prophet nor a messenger. Agreed? Allah revealed to
her to leave her son in the river so that Pharaoh's soldier could take it
to the Palace:
And We REVEALED to the mother of Moses: Suckle (thy child) but when
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
thou hast fears about him cast him into the river but fear not
nor grieve: for We shall restore him to thee and We shall make
him one of Our apostles. (Quran 28:7)
وَأَوْحَينَا إِلَى أُمِّ مُوسَى أَنْ أَرْضِعِيهِ فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِي الْيمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِي وَلَا تَحْزَنِي إِنَّا رَادُّوهُ إِلَيكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ(القصص/7)
Notice that Quran straightforwardly uses the word WAHY (revelation). Here,
Yusuf Ali has translated the word WAHY into inspiration. But Quran uses
WAHY (revelation), and not ILHAM (inspiration). WAHY and ILHAM are two
different things.
However one thing which is clear is that the revelations to those who were
neither prophet nor messenger, did NOT have anything to do with Shari'ah
(divine law). It did NOT have anything to do with religious practices etc.
Rather, It was an order to what way to choose at the time of confusion
and/or informing what has happened or what will happen.
So we can conclude that even revelation has different types. Only the
revelation to Prophets and messengers is related to Shari'ah (divine law)
and new religious practices, while others do NOT receive this type of
revelation.
Remark: Quran also uses the word WAHY for non-human beings, but I am not
concerned about that. I was focusing on different types of WAHY for human
being only.
About our Imams: There are twelve Imams (Guides) after Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH&HF). Prophet mentioned that the number of his successors are twelve,
and al-Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ahmad, ... recorded that.
The first of them, Imam Ali, got his knowledge of religion and the Divine
Laws from Prophet Muhammad DIRECTLY. Later Imams got it from the preceding
Imams. There was NO revelation of Divine Law (concerning oneself or people)
after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF). Allah may inform something to his
appointed Imam, but the information is NOT any how related to Divine
Law since the religion is complete. The information is only related to what
happened and what will happen.
====================
Do Imams Meet Angels
====================
Also, according to Quran, talking to angels is NOT exclusive to prophets
and messengers. Allah mentioned in Quran that Mary (the mother of Jesus)
talked to angels, and angels talked to him. Look at Quran, to see the
conversation of Mary and the angels:
"Behold! the angels said "O Mary! Allah gives you glad tidings of a
Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus the son of Mary held in
honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those
nearest to Allah. (Quran 3:45)"
There is a whole conversation between Mary and the angel. See a couple of
verses before and after the above verse. Mary (AS) was neither a prophet
nor a messenger, yet she talked to angels. However the communication of
Mary with angels had nothing to do with Shari'ah (Divine Law). It did not
have anything to do with religious practices. Rather it was a news to what
is about to happen, and instructions of what to do.
In this connection, also see verses 11:69-73 where angels talked to the
wife of Abraham and gave her the glad tiding that she is pregnant of
prophet Isaac (AS).
Even Sunnis claim that Imran Ibn al-Husayn al-Khuza'i (d. 52/672) who was
one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF), was VISITED by
angels, greeted by angels, SHOOK HANDS with angels and saw them, only being
left by them for a short period after which the angels returned to him till
the end of his life.
Sunni references:
(1) Sahih Muslim, V4, pp 47-48
(2) Also commentaries of Sahih Muslim by al-Nabawi, V8, P206, and by al-Abi
and al-Sanusi, V3, P361.
(3) Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, V4, PP 427-428
(4) Sunan Darimi, V2, P305
(5) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, V3, P472
(6) Tabaqat, by Ib Sa'd, V7, part 1, P6
(7) al-Isti'ab, by Ibn Abd al-Barr, V3, P1208
(8) Usdul Ghabah, by Ibn Athir, V4, P138
(9) Jami'ul Usul, by Ibn Athir, V7, P551
(10) al-Isabah, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, V3, PP 26-27
(11) Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, V8, P126
(12) Fathul al-Bari, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, V12, P261
(13) Sharh al-Mawahib, by al-Qastalani, V7, P133
There is no shadow of doubt that Imam Ali (AS) was "Muhaddath" which means
"a person who has been spoken to". Not only him, but also, all the twelve
Imams as well as Lady Fatimah (AS) were Muhaddath/Muhaddathah.
Based on the authentic Sunni traditions, it is narrated by Abu Huraira and
Aisha that:
Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 4.675 (Arabic-English Version)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Amongst the people preceding you there used to be
'Muhaddathun' (i.e. persons who can guess things that come true later
on, like those persons have been inspired by a divine power), and if
there are any such persons amongst my followers, it is ..."
Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: 5.38 (Arabic-English Version)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "Among the nations before you there used to be
people who were inspired (though they were not prophets). And if there
is any of such a persons amongst my followers, it is ..."
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Among the nation of Bani
Israel who lived before you, there were men who used to be inspired
with guidance though they were not prophets, and if there is any of
such persons amongst my followers, it is ..."
Also:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) said: "Verily among the nations
before your time there have been Muhaddathoon (those who have been
spoken to), and if there is one among my people it is ..." Also the
Messenger of Allah said: "Verily among the Children of Israel before
your time there have been men who have been spoken to (rijalun
yukallamoon) who were NOT prophets and if there is one among my people
it is ..."
Sunni reference:
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Arabic version, v4, p211, v5, p15, and also its
commentaries:
- Fat'h al-Bari, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, v7, p324, v8, pp 49-51
- Umdatul Qari, by al-Ayni, v16, pp 55,198-199
- Irshad al-Sari, by Qastalani, v6, p103
- Sahih Muslim, Arabic version, part 7, p115, and its commentaries:
- Sharh Nawawi (sahih Muslim), part 15, p166
- Sharh al-Abi, part 6, pp 203-205
- Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p622, and its commentaries:
- Aridah al-Ahwadhi, by Ibn al-Arabi, v13, pp 149-150
- Tuhfah al-Ahwadhi, by al-Mubarak Furi, v10, pp 182-183
- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v6, p55
NOTE: I have deleted the name of the companion of the Prophet mentioned in
the above traditions since his being Muhaddath is not confirmed by the
Shia. Concerning the opinion of the Shia see al-Ghadir, by al-Amini, v5, pp
42-54, v8, pp 90-91.
It is mentioned in the above Sunni commentaries that the meaning of
Muhaddath here is a person who is divinely inspired, who meets the angels
and is spoken to by them, and who is informed of the news of Ghayb (not to
be confused with the knowledge of Ghayb which belongs to Allah only) which
is the information about the present time and the future, and that the
companions who are mentioned in those traditions had these attributes!!!
The conclusion is that the existence of Muhaddathoon (those who are spoken
to) is a matter attested by ALL Muslims and that it is not something
contrary to the fundamentals of Islam. The above Sunni documents also give
evidence to the fact that Muhaddathoon are NOT prophets and they did NOT
bring Shari'ah (divine law) from Allah to people.
Here are the defenitions of messenger, prophet, and Imam:
1. A Prophet (Nabi) is a person to whom the Divine Law (Shari'ah) descends;
this divine law may be concerned with beliefs (`aqa-id) or with
practical activities (Ibadat, like prayer). This Divine Law either
deals with the Nabi's OWN life or with that of his community; or both.
This is the fundamental definition of prophethood, though the prophet
may also be informed of other things. The descent of the Divine Law
(Shari'ah) may be direct, or through an intermediary like an angel.
2. A Human Messenger/Apostle (Rasool) is a Prophet who receives a Divine
Law that concerns himself AND people other than himself.
3. Imam means a person who is appointed by God as a leader and as a guide
(see Quran 21:73 and 32:24) to whom obedience is due, and whom people
should follow. Messengers are Warners and Imams are Guides (13:7). Imams
are the Stars of Guidance (6:97).
It is also interesting to remark about the time when the verse of the
completeness of religion was revealed. It should be quite surprising that
many Sunni scholars of Tafsir have confirmed that the verse:
"Today I have completed your religion and my bounty upon you, and I
was satisfied that Islam be your religion." (Quran 5:3)
Was revealed in Ghadir Khum when the Messenger of Allah declared his
successor. Some of Sunni references which mentioned the revelation of the
above verse of Quran in Ghadir Khum after the speech of the Prophet:
(1) al-Durr al-Manthur, by al-Hafiz Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, v3, p19
(2) Tarikh, by Khatib al-Baghdadi, v8, pp 290,596 from Abu Hurayra
(3) Manaqaib, by Ibn Maghazali, p19
(4) History of Damascus, Ibn Asakir, v2, p75
(5) al-Itqan, by al-Suyuti, v1, p13
(6) Manaqib, by Khawarazmi al-Hanfi, p80
(7) al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah, by Ibn Kathir, v3, p213
(8) Yanabi' al-Mawaddah, by al-Qudoozi al-Hanafi, p115
(9) Nuzul al-Quran, by al-Hafiz Abu Nu'aym narrated on the authority
Abu Sa'id Khudri.
... and more.
The above verse clearly indicates that Islam without announcing the
leadership of Imam Ali was not complete, and perfection of religion was
due to announcement of the Prophet's immediate successor.
