Imamate

• Imams were chosen by Allah to preserve Gods message
• Ali was the first imam
• Shia muslims believe Ali was appointed by divine instruction
• In sunni islam an imam is just a prayer leader
• Imams are believed to have perfect knowlege of Islam and sharia law
• Imams protected and preserved the message of the Quran
• imams are role models for shia muslims
• " Islam will continue to prevail through 12 caliphs " hadith
• Imams are seen as infallible so only hadiths accepted by them are followed
• Shia muslims believe that the last imam will return on the day of judgement to bring justice
• " my pledge does not hold for those who do evil "