Imam Sadeq’s (AS) Illuminated Teachings Led to Establishment of the Topic of Imamate in Shia Kalam
It was due to the illuminated teachings of Imam Sadeq (AS) that the topic of Imamate was established in Shia Kalam (theology), a seminary and university scholar said.
Speaking to IQNA, Hojat-ol-Islam Ramezan Mohammadi added that the systemic introduction of the subject of Imamate, as one of the principles of Shia Islam, was first manifested in the teaching of the 6th Imam (AS).
He pointed to the emergence of numerous political and religious sects in Imam Sadeq’s (AS) era and said at the time these groups clashed with one another to prove their truthfulness and gain power.
“Under such conditions, the Imam’s (AS) efforts were aimed at maintaining fundamental Shia principles and keeping them pure. He did so through his teachings and by training prominent students in different fields of knowledge.”
Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammadi pointed out that it was a high priority for Imam Sadeq (AS) to safeguard Shi’ism against ideological deviations and extremist tendencies.
“At the time of Imam Baqer’s (AS) there had been questions and doubts raised about Imamate. They rose to a climax at the time of Imam Sadeq (AS) especially given the claim by Bani Abbas to be the successors of the Holy prophet (PBUH). There was the fear that such questions and doubts would inflict Shi’ism with challenges and deviations.”
He pointed to the strategic measure taken by Imam Sadeq (AS) in that sensitive juncture in the history of Shia Islam and said, “The Imam (AS), in order to protect Shi’ites from going to extremes, outlined the fundamental principles of Shi’ism. Based on the needs and conditions of the time, he extensively elaborated on the topic of Imamate and shed light on different aspects of the issue such as the knowledge, infallibility, responsibilities and characteristics of Imams.”
The university and seminary scholar pointed to the Shia Hadith book “Basaer-ul-Darajat” by Saffar Qomi and said the majority of Hadiths about Imamate in this book have been narrated from Imam Sadeq (AS). “In fact, at a time when Bani Abbas claimed to be the successors of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Imam Sadeq (AS) highlighted the fact that Imam and successor of the Prophet (PBUH) should be from Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS).”
He referred to the claim to Imamate by some of the offspring of the Imams (AS) such as Zeyd, etc, noting that being among the offspring of Imam Ali (AS) and Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) is not enough for Imamate.
“Imam Sadeq (AS) pointed out that an Imam must receive the total knowledge of the previous Imam from him at the time of his demise or martyrdom. He also mentioned the issue of Ismat (infallibility), thus discrediting many of those claiming to be Imams.”
Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammadi said Hazrat Zahra (SA), Imam Ali (AS) and other Imams (AS) had mentioned statements about the concept and responsibilities of Imam, but the systemic outlining of the issue of Imamate, as one of Shia principles, was done by Imam Sadeq (AS).
He further said Imam Sadeq (AS) trained a large number of students in specialized fields, adding that the Imam (AS) also pointed out political issues to remove the Jahiliya (ignorance) of the time as much as possible.
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He pointed to the emergence of numerous political and religious sects in Imam Sadeq’s (AS) era and said at the time these groups clashed with one another to prove their truthfulness and gain power.
“Under such conditions, the Imam’s (AS) efforts were aimed at maintaining fundamental Shia principles and keeping them pure. He did so through his teachings and by training prominent students in different fields of knowledge.”
Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammadi pointed out that it was a high priority for Imam Sadeq (AS) to safeguard Shi’ism against ideological deviations and extremist tendencies.
“At the time of Imam Baqer’s (AS) there had been questions and doubts raised about Imamate. They rose to a climax at the time of Imam Sadeq (AS) especially given the claim by Bani Abbas to be the successors of the Holy prophet (PBUH). There was the fear that such questions and doubts would inflict Shi’ism with challenges and deviations.”
He pointed to the strategic measure taken by Imam Sadeq (AS) in that sensitive juncture in the history of Shia Islam and said, “The Imam (AS), in order to protect Shi’ites from going to extremes, outlined the fundamental principles of Shi’ism. Based on the needs and conditions of the time, he extensively elaborated on the topic of Imamate and shed light on different aspects of the issue such as the knowledge, infallibility, responsibilities and characteristics of Imams.”
The university and seminary scholar pointed to the Shia Hadith book “Basaer-ul-Darajat” by Saffar Qomi and said the majority of Hadiths about Imamate in this book have been narrated from Imam Sadeq (AS). “In fact, at a time when Bani Abbas claimed to be the successors of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Imam Sadeq (AS) highlighted the fact that Imam and successor of the Prophet (PBUH) should be from Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS).”
He referred to the claim to Imamate by some of the offspring of the Imams (AS) such as Zeyd, etc, noting that being among the offspring of Imam Ali (AS) and Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) is not enough for Imamate.
“Imam Sadeq (AS) pointed out that an Imam must receive the total knowledge of the previous Imam from him at the time of his demise or martyrdom. He also mentioned the issue of Ismat (infallibility), thus discrediting many of those claiming to be Imams.”
Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammadi said Hazrat Zahra (SA), Imam Ali (AS) and other Imams (AS) had mentioned statements about the concept and responsibilities of Imam, but the systemic outlining of the issue of Imamate, as one of Shia principles, was done by Imam Sadeq (AS).
He further said Imam Sadeq (AS) trained a large number of students in specialized fields, adding that the Imam (AS) also pointed out political issues to remove the Jahiliya (ignorance) of the time as much as possible.
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