immate

• Imamate


  Shi'a belief that all Imams should be spiritual descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
• What happened when Muhammad (pbuh) died

  Muslims split into two groups: Shi'a and Sunni
• Sunnis


  Elected Abu Bakr as their first Caliph
• Shi'as


  Named Ali as their first Imam
• Shi'a believe that Muhammad named Ali as his successor and that he became the first Imam
• Shi'a believe that Ali was appointed by divine instruction and therefore leadership should follow in the family line
• When Ali died his son was the next Imam
• Imamate


  • Shi'a belief that all Imams should be spiritual descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
  • Part of the Five Articles of Faith in Shi'a Islam
• Sunni Imams


  Chosen at the community level and are not seen as infallible and are not venerated upon death
• Sunni 'Imam'


  Means 'prayer leader'
• Twelver Branch of Shi'a Islam


  Believes that there have been 12 Imams in total
• Some believe that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said that 12 Imams from his own tribe (the Quraysh) would succeed him as leaders
• 'And of those whom we have created are a people who guide the truth and thereby do justice': '(Qur'an 7: 182)'
• The Twelvers believe that the Imams not only rule but are able to maintain and interpret the Quran and Shariah Law without fault
• Shi'a Muslims believe that the first eleven led the community, some were killed, but that the twelfth disappeared after his father's death
• Muhammad al-Mahdi


  The last Imam, believed to have been kept alive and is hidden somewhere on earth and will return with Jesus at the end of time to bring justice and equality
• Shi'a Muslims believe that revelation stopped with Muhammad (pbuh) but that twelve Imams were chosen by Allah to guide and preserve God's message
• Imams


  • Rule justly and are also the only people who can interpret the Qur'an without fault
  • Seen as infallible and must be obeyed
  • Protectors of the faith, ensuring that the teachings do not become corrupted or spoiled
• Role & Significance of Imamate

  • Imams were the leaders of Islam after Muhammad (pbuh) died
  • Protected Muslims from enemies, guided people, kept the Shariah law, had perfect knowledge of Islam
  • Ruled justly (fairly) and preserve and maintain the law of God
  • Have protected the message in the Qur'an
• Imams continue to be extremely significant particularly in Shi'a Islam
• Imams


  • Highly respected as direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
  • Provide divine guidance (advice from God) about how to live their lives
  • Seen as role models and so Shi'a Muslims will try to live their lives as the Imams lived theirs
  • Have been able to accurately interpret the Qur'an to support Muslims
• The role and significance of Imams is one of the major difference between the two main branches of Islam (Shi'a and Sunni)