Imamate (Shi’a Islam)
Imamate is a Shi'aMuslims, or Shi’ites, who believe in the Imamah, leadership of Ali and his descendants after the Prophet Muhammad. belief that all imamA Muslim religious figure who leads the communal prayer and is also a leader in the local community and mosque. In Shi'a Islam, the title is given to a line of descendants of Muhammad (twelve in all) who are believed to be exemplary human beings. should be spiritual descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Shi’a Muslims believe that imams are leaders appointed by God to be Muhammad’s successors.
Today, Shi’a Muslim communities are led by imams, who are seen as having been chosen by God. Imams should be exemplary individuals who obey all teachings and follow Shari’ah lawIslamic law based upon the Qur’an and Sunnah..
Origins of Imamate
After the Prophet MuhammadThe name of the final Prophet of Islam. died, the Muslim community had to choose a successorA person or thing that comes after another.. Abu Bakr, who was Muhammad’s father-in-law and closest friend, became the leader of the SunniMuslims who believe in the successorship of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali as leaders of the Muslim community after the Prophet Muhammad. Muslim community.
Sunni Muslims, who make up around 90 per cent of the global Muslim population, agree that the rightful successor to Muhammad was Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law. They recognise two further leaders who came after Abu Bakr. They then recognise a fourth leader, Ali (Muhammad’s cousin). Sunni Muslims accept all four leaders, including Abu Bakr and Ali, as the rightful successors of Muhammad.
Shi’a Muslims, also called ‘the party of Ali’, believe that Muhammad chose Ali as his successor rather than having a bloodline successor. After Ali’s death, Shi’a Muslims were led by twelve imams, whom they believe were spiritual successors to the Prophet Muhammad rather than having any family connection to him. This was the beginning of the Imamate. Shi’a Muslims make up around 10 per cent of the global Muslim population.
The Twelvers
The Twelvers is a branch of Shi’a Islam whose followers believe that there were twelve imams after the death of Muhammad. The twelfth imam, however, has been kept alive by God and is hidden somewhere on Earth. Shi’a Muslims believe the twelfth imam will one day make himself known and bring equality to all.
Shi’a Muslims believe that the imams are necessary because people need guidance on how to live correctly. Due to their close relationship with God, the twelve imams are highly respected.
Isma’ili Shi’a Muslims
Ismai’ili Shi’a Muslims, sometimes known as the Seveners, believe that the seventh imam was Isma’il. Isma’il was the son of one of the Twelve Imams. Seveners believe that each imam can choose his successor, as they believe the last hereditaryThe right to a position because of family inheritance. imam was Isma’il.
