Adapted from Dr. Ahmad bin Sa'd bin Hamdan al-Ghamidi’s work on rational dialogue with the Twelver sect, translated by Shafiq ur Rahman Shah
Shi'ites consider Imamate to be a foundational element of their faith—on par with Tawheed (monotheism), Prophethood, and Resurrection—and associate it with religious obligations like Salah (prayer), Zakah (almsgiving), fasting, and Hajj. Their books on beliefs are filled with narrations asserting this.
[Usul al-Kafi: Book of Faith and Disbelief, Chapter on the Pillars of Islam, vol. 2, no. 3]
In this narration, Shahadah (testimony of faith), the core of Islam, is excluded and replaced with Wilayah, which is emphasized as the most important pillar.
Another narration mentions that Wilayah is the best among these pillars, with a chain considered reliable like Sahih (authentic) in Shi'ite sources.
[Sharh al-Kafi: 2/5, no. 1478]
This clearly replaces fundamental Islamic tenets with a concept that has no definitive basis in the Qur'an or authentic Sunnah.
Additionally, a narration claims that the Prophet (ﷺ) was taken on Mi'raj 120 times, and each time Allah instructed him to appoint ‘Ali (RA) and other Imams after him.
[Al-Khisal by Ibn Babawayh: 600–601; Bihar al-Anwar: 2/69]
One wonders: Why repeat this 120 times? Did the Prophet (ﷺ) forget, or was Allah’s command unclear?
① Ja'far al-Subhani in Al-Milal wa al-Nihal states:
“There is consensus from the beginning among Shi'ites that Imamate is one of the principles of religion.”
[Al-Milal wa al-Nihal: p. 257]
② Muhammad Rida al-Mazhar in Aqa'id al-Imamiyyah:
“We believe that Imamate is among the principles of religion. Without belief in it, faith is incomplete.”
[Aqa'id al-Imamiyyah: p. 102]
③ Khomeini in Kashf al-Asrar:
“Imamate is one of the essential principles of the religion of Islam.”
[Kashf al-Asrar: p. 149]
Narration from Ibn ‘Umar (RA):
“Islam is built upon five: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakah, performing Hajj, and fasting in Ramadan.”
[Bukhari: 7; Muslim: 21]
There is no mention of Wilayah or Imamate as a pillar of Islam.
Numerous verses affirm monotheism and the Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ.
2. Salah (Prayer):
3. Zakah (Almsgiving):
4. Sawm (Fasting):
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage):
All these pillars are established by clear and conclusive evidence (dalil qat‘i) in the Qur'an, and all Islamic sects agree upon them.
“Your ally is none but Allah and His Messenger and those who believe—those who establish prayer and give zakah while bowing down.”
[Surah al-Ma'idah: 55]
They interpret “while bowing” as referring to ‘Ali (RA), claiming this verse supports his appointment.
However, this verse does not mention Imamate explicitly. The word "Wali" here refers to friendship, support, and alliance, not political or religious leadership.
Furthermore, classical commentators like Imam al-Tabari interpret the verse as referring to general Muslim brotherhood, not specific Imamate.
These are the very chains used to claim the verse was revealed about ‘Ali (RA).
Why not say: “Ali is your Imam” or “Ali is your Wali” in clear terms?
Even Khomeini attempted to justify this by saying that explicit mention would have led to tampering with the Qur'an, a claim that implies doubt in Allah’s protection of His Book—a dangerous belief that contradicts:
“Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder (Qur'an), and We will surely preserve it.”
[Surah al-Hijr: 9]
If Imamate were truly foundational, it would be clearly and repeatedly mentioned in the Qur'an—just like Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj.
Hence, the claim that Imamate is a principle of faith equivalent to Tawheed or Prophethood cannot be substantiated from the Qur’an or the authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
❖ Introduction
The question arises: Is Imamate a fundamental principle of religion (usool al-deen) according to Shi'ite belief? And is there conclusive evidence for this from the Qur'an and Sunnah?Shi'ites consider Imamate to be a foundational element of their faith—on par with Tawheed (monotheism), Prophethood, and Resurrection—and associate it with religious obligations like Salah (prayer), Zakah (almsgiving), fasting, and Hajj. Their books on beliefs are filled with narrations asserting this.
❖ Shi'ite Narrations on Imamate
Al-Kulayni narrates from Abu Ja'far that Islam is founded upon five pillars: prayer, fasting, Zakah, Hajj, and Wilayah (allegiance).[Usul al-Kafi: Book of Faith and Disbelief, Chapter on the Pillars of Islam, vol. 2, no. 3]
In this narration, Shahadah (testimony of faith), the core of Islam, is excluded and replaced with Wilayah, which is emphasized as the most important pillar.
Another narration mentions that Wilayah is the best among these pillars, with a chain considered reliable like Sahih (authentic) in Shi'ite sources.
[Sharh al-Kafi: 2/5, no. 1478]
This clearly replaces fundamental Islamic tenets with a concept that has no definitive basis in the Qur'an or authentic Sunnah.
Additionally, a narration claims that the Prophet (ﷺ) was taken on Mi'raj 120 times, and each time Allah instructed him to appoint ‘Ali (RA) and other Imams after him.
[Al-Khisal by Ibn Babawayh: 600–601; Bihar al-Anwar: 2/69]
One wonders: Why repeat this 120 times? Did the Prophet (ﷺ) forget, or was Allah’s command unclear?
❖ Affirmation by Twelver Scholars
Several prominent Twelver scholars explicitly state that Imamate is a core doctrine:① Ja'far al-Subhani in Al-Milal wa al-Nihal states:
“There is consensus from the beginning among Shi'ites that Imamate is one of the principles of religion.”
[Al-Milal wa al-Nihal: p. 257]
② Muhammad Rida al-Mazhar in Aqa'id al-Imamiyyah:
“We believe that Imamate is among the principles of religion. Without belief in it, faith is incomplete.”
[Aqa'id al-Imamiyyah: p. 102]
③ Khomeini in Kashf al-Asrar:
“Imamate is one of the essential principles of the religion of Islam.”
[Kashf al-Asrar: p. 149]
❖ Sunni View of the Pillars of Islam
In contrast, Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah base their beliefs on definitive texts from the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah. For example:Narration from Ibn ‘Umar (RA):
“Islam is built upon five: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakah, performing Hajj, and fasting in Ramadan.”
[Bukhari: 7; Muslim: 21]
There is no mention of Wilayah or Imamate as a pillar of Islam.
❖ Qur'anic Proofs for the Five Pillars
1. Tawheed and Prophethood:Numerous verses affirm monotheism and the Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ.
- “Your God is One God; there is no deity but He, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.”
[Surah al-Baqarah: 163] - “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah...”
[Surah al-Fath: 29] - “Say: O people, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all...”
[Surah al-A'raf: 158]
2. Salah (Prayer):
- “Indeed, the prayer is enjoined upon the believers at prescribed times.”
[Surah al-Nisa: 103]
3. Zakah (Almsgiving):
- “Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and the needy...”
[Surah al-Tawbah: 60]
4. Sawm (Fasting):
- “Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you...”
[Surah al-Baqarah: 183]
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage):
- “Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who can undertake the journey.”
[Surah Aal ‘Imran: 97]
All these pillars are established by clear and conclusive evidence (dalil qat‘i) in the Qur'an, and all Islamic sects agree upon them.
❖ Alleged Qur'anic Proof for Imamate
Shi'ites often quote:“Your ally is none but Allah and His Messenger and those who believe—those who establish prayer and give zakah while bowing down.”
[Surah al-Ma'idah: 55]
They interpret “while bowing” as referring to ‘Ali (RA), claiming this verse supports his appointment.
However, this verse does not mention Imamate explicitly. The word "Wali" here refers to friendship, support, and alliance, not political or religious leadership.
Furthermore, classical commentators like Imam al-Tabari interpret the verse as referring to general Muslim brotherhood, not specific Imamate.
❖ Weakness of Narrations Supporting Shi'ite Claim
The narrations about ‘Ali (RA) giving charity during bowing are all weak:- Ayub bin Suwayd: Labeled weak and untrustworthy by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Ma‘in.
- Ghalib bin ‘Abdullah al-Qata‘i: Declared abandoned in narration by Daruqutni.
- Muhammad bin Salamah bin Kahil: Called extremely weak by al-Jawzjani.
These are the very chains used to claim the verse was revealed about ‘Ali (RA).
❖ Absence of ‘Ali (RA)'s Name in the Qur'an
If Imamate were indeed a pillar of Islam, why is ‘Ali’s name not explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an as an Imam, unlike the other pillars?Why not say: “Ali is your Imam” or “Ali is your Wali” in clear terms?
Even Khomeini attempted to justify this by saying that explicit mention would have led to tampering with the Qur'an, a claim that implies doubt in Allah’s protection of His Book—a dangerous belief that contradicts:
“Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder (Qur'an), and We will surely preserve it.”
[Surah al-Hijr: 9]
❖ Conclusion
Unlike the five pillars, Imamate lacks any conclusive proof (dalil qat‘i) from the Qur'an or authentic Sunnah. The claim that belief in Imamate is necessary for salvation is unsupported and rationally inconsistent, especially when its evidences rely on weak narrations or questionable interpretations.If Imamate were truly foundational, it would be clearly and repeatedly mentioned in the Qur'an—just like Salah, Zakah, Sawm, and Hajj.
Hence, the claim that Imamate is a principle of faith equivalent to Tawheed or Prophethood cannot be substantiated from the Qur’an or the authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
