This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Irshad Ullah Maan's book In Search of Truth.
The Imam does not mean the one who leads the prayer, nor does it mean the one who is called an Imam due to expertise in a particular art. The Imam is not the one who is a leader or ruler, nor is it the one who becomes a pioneer for others by initiating a good deed. Rather, the Imam means the one whom Allah Almighty has honored with the position of Imamat. Whose every command is obligatory to follow, whose every statement is a rule of life, whose every action is a beacon of guidance, whose obedience is obedience to Allah Almighty, whose Imamat is not temporary but eternal until the Day of Judgment, who is infallible, from whom error in religious matters is impossible, and whose every religious statement is revelation.
There is only one ruler: (that is) Allah Almighty, only His command runs over His servants, not others. However, Allah's command does not reach every servant directly; rather, He selects one servant from among His servants and informs that servant of all His commands. That servant then informs others of all the commands of Allah Almighty. Such a servant is called a Prophet or Messenger.
The Messenger is an intermediary between the servants and Allah Almighty. Through him, obedience to Allah is established. Obedience to him is exactly obedience to Allah Almighty. Allah says: Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah.
Reference: (An-Nisa:80)
The Messenger does not command obedience on his own, but his obedience is commanded by Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty says: [وَ مَاۤ اَرۡسَلۡنَا مِنۡ رَّسُوۡلٍ اِلَّا لِیُطَاعَ بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰہِ] We did not send any messenger except that he should be obeyed by Allah's command.
Reference: (An-Nisa:64)
Because obedience (as we have already mentioned) is only the right of Allah Almighty, therefore, obedience to anyone else cannot be given without His command or permission. If a person obeys someone else without the command or permission of Allah Almighty, it is as if he has made that other person a partner with Allah in obedience. It is Allah Almighty's prerogative to make the obedience of any of His servants obligatory upon people. If servants themselves choose someone to obey, it is as if they have made themselves Allah. They have usurped the right of Allah to grant prophethood, and this is shirk (associating partners with Allah). Allah Almighty says:
[اَللّٰہُ اَعۡلَمُ حَیۡثُ یَجۡعَلُ رِسَالَتَہٗ] Allah knows best to whom He will grant His message.
Reference: (Al-An'am:124)
Therefore, whoever is granted prophethood is made the leader and one to be obeyed for all mankind; making someone an imam is not the work of people. Those who, besides the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, make others their leaders and those to be obeyed, and consider their verdicts as the final authority, they commit shirk in judgment.
Only the Messenger is sent by Allah Almighty as an imam for all humans.
Prophethood or imamate is granted by Allah Almighty. Allah says:
[اِنِّیۡ جَاعِلُکَ لِلنَّاسِ اِمَامًا] (O Abraham) I am making you a leader for the people.
Reference: (Al-Baqarah:124)
Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) knew that making someone an imam is only the work of Allah Almighty, so he prayed:
[وَمِنۡ ذُرِّیَّتِیۡ] O Allah! Among my offspring also (make an imam).
Reference: (Al-Baqarah:124)
Allah Almighty said: [لَا یَنَالُ عَہۡدِی الظّٰلِمِیۡنَ] Yes! I will make (an imam), but this promise is not for the wrongdoers.
Reference: (Al-Baqarah:124)
From the above verse, it is proven that making an imam is the work of Allah Almighty, not of humans.
The second point established is that the Imam is not sinful but infallible, therefore, the one who is infallible will be the Imam. Whoever is not infallible cannot be an Imam, and no one is infallible except the Prophet, so no one can be an Imam except the Prophet. After mentioning Sayyiduna Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and some other Prophets, Allah Almighty says: [وَجَعَلۡنٰہُمۡ اَئِمَّۃً یَّہۡدُوۡنَ بِاَمۡرِنَا وَ اَوۡحَیۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡہِمۡ فِعۡلَ الۡخَیۡرٰتِ]
We made these Prophets Imams; they guided by Our command, and We inspired them to do good deeds.
Reference: (Al-Anbiya:73)
After this verse, Allah Almighty has mentioned many Prophets and indicated their being made Imams. These verses prove that appointing an Imam is the right of Allah Almighty. Only Prophets are Imams. If anyone other than a Prophet is appointed as Imam, this is polytheism in judgment.
The Messenger is the very personality whose judgment in all disputes must be accepted, and accepting his judgment without any objection is true faith, as the Divine command states: [فَلَا وَ رَبِّکَ لَا یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ حَتّٰی یُحَکِّمُوۡکَ فِیۡمَا شَجَرَ بَیۡنَہُمۡ ثُمَّ لَا یَجِدُوۡا فِیۡۤ اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَیۡتَ وَ یُسَلِّمُوۡا تَسۡلِیۡمًا]
O Messenger! By your Lord, people cannot be true believers until they accept your judgment in all their disputes and do not feel any hardship in accepting it but accept it willingly and gladly.
Reference: (An-Nisa:65)
From this verse, it is understood that the Messenger is the final authority in all disputes. Those who accept someone other than a Prophet as an authority in their matters and accept his words and actions without question and without evidence, it is as if they have given him the status of a Prophet. According to the above verse, such people cannot be true believers.
The Messenger ﷺ is the very personality whose following leads to Allah’s love. Allah Almighty says:
[قُلۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تُحِبُّوۡنَ اللّٰہَ فَاتَّبِعُوۡنِیۡ یُحۡبِبۡکُمُ اللّٰہُ وَ یَغۡفِرۡ لَکُمۡ ذُنُوۡبَکُمۡ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ]
(O Messenger!) Say: If you love Allah, then follow me (if you follow me, Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
Reference: (Aal Imran:31)
The Messenger ﷺ is the very personality whose obedience and following leads to guidance. Allah's command is:
__ARABIC_8If you obey the Messenger, you will be guided.
Reference: (An-Nur:54)
ARABIC_9__Follow the Messenger so that you may be guided.
Reference: (Al-A'raf:158)
Have such evidences from Allah come in favor of anyone other than the Messenger ﷺ? If not, then how can a person without evidence be an Imam, and moreover, how can guidance be attained by obeying and following him?
The Messenger is the one who, by virtue of his position, deserves the right to explain and clarify the divinely revealed Shariah; no one else has the right to interpret or explain it. Allah Almighty says: [وَاَنۡزَلۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡکَ الذِّکۡرَ لِتُبَیِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ اِلَیۡہِمۡ وَ لَعَلَّہُمۡ یَتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ]
(O Messenger) We have revealed this Shariah upon you so that you may explain to the people what has been revealed to them and so that they may reflect (on their salvation).
Reference: (An-Nahl:44)
The Messenger ﷺ is the very personality whose opposition in words and actions is a great trial and invites a painful punishment. Allah Almighty says:
[فَلۡیَحۡذَرِ الَّذِیۡنَ یُخَالِفُوۡنَ عَنۡ اَمۡرِہٖۤ اَنۡ تُصِیۡبَہُمۡ فِتۡنَۃٌ اَوۡ یُصِیۡبَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَلِیۡمٌ]
Those who go against the sayings and actions of the Messenger should remain fearful. Lest they fall into some trial or a painful punishment befall them.
Reference: (An-Nur:63)
The Messenger ﷺ is the personality whose way is the code of life for all Muslims; this is the model according to which people can hope from Allah Almighty. The Divine command is: [لَقَدۡ کَانَ لَکُمۡ فِیۡ رَسُوۡلِ اللّٰہِ اُسۡوَۃٌ حَسَنَۃٌ لِّمَنۡ کَانَ یَرۡجُوا اللّٰہَ وَ الۡیَوۡمَ الۡاٰخِرَ وَ ذَکَرَ اللّٰہَ کَثِیۡرًا]
Indeed, in the Messenger (life) there is the best example for you, for the one who hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.
Reference: (Al-Ahzab:33)
This exemplar was sent by Allah Almighty; creating other exemplars besides the exemplar of Allah is to place oneself in the position of Allah Almighty, and this is shirk (associating partners with Allah). The Messenger ﷺ is the only being whose every word is divine revelation. Allah Almighty's noble command is: [وَمَا یَنۡطِقُ عَنِ الۡہَوٰی]،[اِنۡ ہُوَ اِلَّا وَحۡیٌ یُّوۡحٰی]
[And he does not speak from his own desire] [It is only a revelation revealed]
Reference: (An-Najm: 4,3)
Does anyone else have this certificate? If not, then how can the words of someone else be certified? The Messenger himself is the noble personality whose every word is truth, who is infallible, who never persists in error. The Divine command is: [اِنَّکَ عَلَی الۡحَقِّ الۡمُبِیۡنِ] (O Messenger) indeed you are upon a clear truth.
Reference: (An-Naml: 79)
Has this certificate from Allah Almighty been given to anyone else? If not, then how can he be an Imam?
Only he can be an Imam whose every word is truth.
The Messenger ﷺ is the illuminating lamp and bright light by whose illumination the study of the Shariah revealed by Allah Almighty can be undertaken. Without this bright lamp, neither can the divine Shariah be studied in darkness nor can the straight path be found. What can be found in darkness except misguidance? Among humans, the Messenger ﷺ is the personality whose decision, once given, leaves no believer with the choice to form their own opinion or take someone else's opinion in that matter. The believer must act upon the decision of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ alone, and Allah Almighty says:
[وَ مَا کَانَ لِمُؤۡمِنٍ وَّ لَا مُؤۡمِنَۃٍ اِذَا قَضَی اللّٰہُ وَ رَسُوۡلُہٗۤ اَمۡرًا اَنۡ یَّکُوۡنَ لَہُمُ الۡخِیَرَۃُ مِنۡ اَمۡرِہِمۡ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّعۡصِ اللّٰہَ وَ رَسُوۡلَہٗ فَقَدۡ ضَلَّ ضَلٰلًا مُّبِیۡنًا]
It is not lawful for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly gone astray.
Reference: (الأحزاب:36)
Is this right given by Allah Almighty to any other person? If it is not given, then how can he be an Imam? How can he be obligatory to follow? No believer has the authority to say anything else after hearing the decision of the Messenger (ﷺ) except that I have heard and I will obey. Allah Almighty says:
[اِنَّمَا کَانَ قَوۡلَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ اِذَا دُعُوۡۤا اِلَی اللّٰہِ وَ رَسُوۡلِہٖ لِیَحۡکُمَ بَیۡنَہُمۡ اَنۡ یَّقُوۡلُوۡا سَمِعۡنَا وَ اَطَعۡنَا ؕ وَ اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ]
When the believers are called to Allah and His Messenger so that Allah and His Messenger may judge between them, their speech should be nothing except that they say, "We have heard and we obey." Those are the successful.
Reference: (An-Nur:51)
Has this position also been given by Allah Almighty to someone else? Certainly not, and when this position has not been given to anyone, then how can he be obligatory to follow? How can he be an Imam?
Allah Almighty testifies about the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that he is on the straight path. The Divine command is: [اِنَّکَ عَلٰی صِرَاطٍ مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٍ] Indeed, you (ﷺ) are on a straight path.
Reference: (Az-Zukhruf:43)
Allah Almighty bears witness regarding the Messenger ﷺ that he invites to the straight path. Allah Almighty says:
[وَاِنَّکَ لَتَدۡعُوۡہُمۡ اِلٰی صِرَاطٍ مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٍ] (O Messenger!) Indeed, you invite to the straight path.
Reference: (Al-Mu’minun:73)
Allah Almighty also bears witness regarding the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that by following him, one can find the straight path. Allah Almighty says:
[وَاتَّبِعُوۡنِ ؕ ہٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٌ] (O Messenger! Say) Follow me; this is the straight path.
Reference: (Az-Zukhruf:61)
These verses are clear evidence that the Messenger ﷺ is on the straight path, the Messenger ﷺ invites to the straight path, and following the Messenger ﷺ is the straight path. Tell me! Do these evidences and guarantees exist with anyone else? They do not, and certainly do not, so how can they be an Imam? How can their words be the final evidence? How can their verdicts and analogies be included in the religion in any way?
The Messenger ﷺ is the being whose every invitation and every call grants eternal life. Allah Almighty says:
[یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اسۡتَجِیۡبُوۡا لِلّٰہِ وَ لِلرَّسُوۡلِ اِذَا دَعَاکُمۡ لِمَا یُحۡیِیۡکُمۡ]
O you who have believed! When Allah and His Messenger call you to that which gives you life, then immediately accept it.
Reference: (Al-Anfal:24)
The Messenger ﷺ is the one whose disobedience will cause regret and remorse on the Day of Judgment. Allah Almighty says:
[وَ یَوۡمَ یَعَضُّ الظَّالِمُ عَلٰی یَدَیۡہِ یَقُوۡلُ یٰلَیۡتَنِی اتَّخَذۡتُ مَعَ الرَّسُوۡلِ سَبِیۡلًا]
On the Day of Judgment, the sinner will bite his hands and say, "Oh, I wish I had followed the Messenger."
Reference: (Al-Furqan:27)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the one whose following brings mercy. Allah Almighty says:
[وَ رَحۡمَتِیۡ وَسِعَتۡ کُلَّ شَیۡءٍ ؕ فَسَاَکۡتُبُہَا لِلَّذِیۡنَ یَتَّقُوۡنَ وَ یُؤۡتُوۡنَ الزَّکٰوۃَ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ ہُمۡ بِاٰیٰتِنَا یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ]،[ اَلَّذِیۡنَ یَتَّبِعُوۡنَ الرَّسُوۡلَ]
[And My mercy encompasses all things, so I will decree it for those who fear Me and give zakah and those who believe in Our verses], [those who follow this Messenger]
Reference: (Al-A'raf:157,156)
The Messenger is the one who fears no one except Allah, who does not practice taqiyya, and who speaks the truth fearlessly. Allah Almighty says:
[الَّذِیۡنَ یُبَلِّغُوۡنَ رِسٰلٰتِ اللّٰہِ وَ یَخۡشَوۡنَہٗ وَ لَا یَخۡشَوۡنَ اَحَدًا اِلَّا اللّٰہَ]
Those who convey Allah’s messages and fear Allah and do not fear anyone except Allah (they are your example).
Reference: (Al-Ahzab:39)
How can those who fear anyone other than Allah, who practice taqiyya, who hide the truth by practicing taqiyya, be innocent? How can everything they say be true? How can they be Imams? An Imam can truly be one who fearlessly and boldly propagates the commands of Allah and does not care about any blame or insult, but rather challenges his opponents, saying: You all together do whatever you want against me, and do not give me even a moment's respite. Our master Nuh (Noah) عليه السلام said to his people: [فَاَجۡمِعُوۡۤا اَمۡرَکُمۡ وَ شُرَکَآءَکُمۡ ثُمَّ لَا یَکُنۡ اَمۡرُکُمۡ عَلَیۡکُمۡ غُمَّۃً ثُمَّ اقۡضُوۡۤا اِلَیَّ وَ لَا تُنۡظِرُوۡنِ]
Gather all your partners, then decide together whatever you want to do (against me), let none of your plans be hidden from you. Then do whatever you want against me and give me no respite.
Reference: (Yunus:71)
Our master Hud عليه السلام said to his people:
[فَکِیۡدُوۡنِیۡ جَمِیۡعًا ثُمَّ لَا تُنۡظِرُوۡنِ] You all together do whatever plan you want against me, then give me no respite.
Reference: (Hud:55)
Allah Almighty, addressing His Messenger ﷺ, says:
[قُلِ ادۡعُوۡا شُرَکَآءَکُمۡ ثُمَّ کِیۡدُوۡنِ فَلَا تُنۡظِرُوۡنِ]
O Messenger! Say, "Call upon your partners; then all of you conspire against me and do not give me respite."
Reference: (Al-A'raf:195)
In obedience to this divine command, the Messenger also challenged his people and did not fear at all.
In short, Allah's testimony regarding the messengers is that they fear no one. They fearlessly explain every matter, no matter how enraged the opponents become upon hearing it. If the Messenger did not do this, the truth of prophethood would not be fulfilled. As Allah the Exalted says:
[وَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَفۡعَلۡ فَمَا بَلَّغۡتَ رِسَالَتَہٗ] If you do not do so, then you have not fulfilled your duty of prophethood.
Reference: (Al-Ma'idah:65)
The scholars whom people have themselves appointed as Imams and have declared obedience to them obligatory, there is no certain proof of their faith either. We only have a good opinion of them based on their apparent beliefs and actions that they are believers, but does being a believer necessarily mean that all their statements are correct, that they will not practice taqiyya, or that they will not hide the truth out of fear or expediency? Neither do we have any divine revelation as evidence regarding them, nor do these Imams themselves have any such divine revelation, nor do they receive revelation that protects them from error. So then tell me, how can they be Imams in such a case? Allah Almighty says: [یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اَطِیۡعُوا اللّٰہَ وَ اَطِیۡعُوا الرَّسُوۡلَ وَ لَا تُبۡطِلُوۡۤا اَعۡمَالَکُمۡ]
O you who have believed! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.
Reference: (Muhammad:33)
From the above verse, it is understood that the acceptance of deeds depends on obedience to the Messenger. All good deeds that are not performed according to the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ are invalid. Does anyone else have this status? If not, then how can he be an Imam? Allah Almighty says:
[لَقَدۡ مَنَّ اللّٰہُ عَلَی الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ اِذۡ بَعَثَ فِیۡہِمۡ رَسُوۡلًا مِّنۡ اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ یَتۡلُوۡا عَلَیۡہِمۡ اٰیٰتِہٖ وَ یُزَکِّیۡہِمۡ وَ یُعَلِّمُہُمُ الۡکِتٰبَ وَ الۡحِکۡمَۃَ]
Indeed, Allah conferred a great favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves who recites to them His verses, purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom.
Reference: (Al-Imran:164)
Does anyone else have such a certificate from Allah Almighty? Is purification of the self guaranteed by following anyone else? Can it be said about any other person that the meaning of the Book and wisdom he has explained is certainly correct? If not, then how can he be an Imam? Allah Almighty says:
[فَاِنۡ تَنَازَعۡتُمۡ فِیۡ شَیۡءٍ فَرُدُّوۡہُ اِلَی اللّٰہِ وَ الرَّسُوۡلِ] If you differ in any matter, refer it to Allah and the Messenger.
Reference: (An-Nisa:59)
Has anyone other than the Messenger (ﷺ) been appointed by Allah as the final authority in disputes? If not, then how can he be an Imam? Allah Almighty says: [اِنَّاۤ اَنۡزَلۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡکَ الۡکِتٰبَ بِالۡحَقِّ لِتَحۡکُمَ بَیۡنَ النَّاسِ بِمَاۤ اَرٰىکَ اللّٰہُ]
(O Messenger!) We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, so that you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you.
Reference: (An-Nisa:105)
Are the decisions of anyone else also issued under Allah's guidance? If not, then how can their words be considered authoritative?
From the above verses, it is proven that there is only one being whose obedience is obedience to Allah Almighty, whose disobedience is disobedience to Allah Almighty, whose way is obligatory to follow, whose every word is that which is on guidance and invites towards guidance, whose obedience and following leads to guidance, whose following leads to guardianship, who has the divine revelation as proof for all these matters, and that being is only the noble person of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. So then tell, what other than harm can be gained by making anyone else the final authority or leader through obedience other than the Messenger of Allah ﷺ? This harm will be of two types: one is shirk in judgment (polytheism in ruling), and the other is sectarianism.
Shirk of any kind is not forgiven without repentance, therefore it is very important to avoid it, otherwise salvation is impossible. Sectarianism is a punishment from Allah Almighty, and there is only one way to get rid of it, and that is to accept only one unanimously agreed upon Imam as the Imam. Who else can such an Imam be except the Messenger of Allah ﷺ? There is no sect that does not consider the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as wajib al-ittiba (obligatory to follow), or does not consider following him as a means of salvation. Following the Messenger ﷺ is the goal; scholars and jurists can be a means, but cannot be the goal. Scholars and jurists are those who convey the words of the Imam of the universe ﷺ to us; they themselves are not the Imam. We have only one Imam, and he is the one whom Allah Almighty has made our Imam.
Come! Accept only the Imam appointed by Allah as the Imam, end sectarianism, gather all at one center, and become united.
(وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَلَمِينَ)
