Why do we always need an infallibile Imam?
Excerpt – 2
Book – Ghaibat al Tusi
Author – Shaikh Al Tusi(a.r.)
Chapter-1: Discussion on the occultation of Imam Mahdi (atfs)
(Part 1)
This is a very comprehensive chapter comprising almost half of the book.
Shaykh e Tusi(ar) starts by making a very important argument to those who doubt the occultation of Imam Mahdi (atfs). He argues that one has to first accept the Imamat of son of Imam Hasan Al Askari (as), without which any inquiry about the reason of his occultation will be meaningless.
Then in the course of proving the Imamat of the son of Imam Hasan Al Askari (as), the respected author discusses the Necessity of Imamat. We briefly mention one of his arguments.
It is evident that a fallible group of people need a leader who is awe-inspiring and venerable. He would defend the weak against the strong. The presence of such a leader would ensure peace and integrity in the society. Mischief would be rare in such a society.
This is obvious and anyone with common sense would agree to this rendering anyone who disputes it unworthy of a rational conversation.
The author then asserts that since the people are fallible their Imam has to be infallible. If the people were infallible, they would never need an Imam.
And if the Imam himself is fallible, he himself would be in need of an infallible Imam.
Imam is the protector of Shariah, Holy Quran and Sunnah. His infallibility ensures that there is no mistake in explaining the holy law of religion.
There exists differences of opinion regarding the meaning and interpretation of the Holy Quran and Sunnah. At times there are opposite views among scholars regarding them. The Almighty Allah protects the Holy Quran and Sunnah through the infallible Imam. If he is not infallible, his interpretation would have the possibility of mistakes and errors. Thus it is necessary that he should be infallible so that he explains the facts of religious law in the correct way.
The book provides proof regarding the infallibility of the Imam from the Holy Quran and we mention a few verses as follows,
“My covenant does not include the unjust…”
(Surah BAQARAH, 2;124)
This verse hints that the position of Imamat from the Almighty Allah (swt) is only for those free from defect.
In another verse,
“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those in
authority from among you.”
(Surah NISA, 4;59)
This verse makes the absolute obedience to Imam (as) obligatory for all, and has regarded it to be the same as obedience to Allah (swt).
And if he was like others, prone to mistakes, then obedience to him would not be obligatory.
May the Almighty strengthen our hearts on the belief of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s) during his occultation.