Faqihs successors during the absence of the Imam of the era

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As narrated from the words of the twelfth imam himself, during his absence, people are obliged to turn to eminent theological scholars and authoritative, worthy of imitation theologians of higher echelons and in the field of fiqh (fiqh – Muslim) in matters of religion and laws, as well as their duties the doctrine of the rules of conduct (jurisprudence), as well as a complex of social norms (Muslim law in a broad sense)) to follow their instructions. It is absolutely clear that exemplary theologians and eminent religious scholars do not have the right to issue any fatwas and decrees on their own, but must use only the prescriptions of the Qur’an and the decrees of the great prophet and imams.

If you look carefully at the Koranic verses and the narrations from the blameless imams, you can come to the conclusion that the question of religious leadership is necessary and inevitable in the teaching of Islam at all times.

Islam calls people to rapprochement and fellowship, to unity of thought and action and warns against conflicts, strife and isolation from society.

The Qur’an commands: “Indeed, the believers are brothers” (Surah Hujarat, verse 10) and “Cling to the rope of Allah, all of you, and do not be divided” (Surah Al-Imran, verse 103).

There is a narration from Imam Sadiq: “Whoever departs from the Islamic community by an arshin, will forever sever his connection with Islam” (usul al-kafi, vol. 1, p. 403).

In the 127th sermon of “Nakhjul-Balag” we can read the following. “Always be with the great Muslim communities, Allah is with the community, beware of division. Verily, a self-willed person is a bait for the devil.” From the above verses and traditions, it is clear that Islam wants to unite Muslims, wants them to be united and united. It is clear that the realization of this goal requires power – religious leadership and the imamate, because the power and the imamate contribute to organization and discipline in society, maintaining the unity and cohesion of people in society, as well as faithful management of society’s affairs.

There is a narration from Imam Riza: “Indeed, Imamate is the guardian of the religion of Muslims, worldly benefit and honor of the righteous. Imamate is the root of sure growth and a fruitful branch and cover for Islam. Protection of the integrity of Salat (prayer), sunset (income tax for the benefit of the poor and the poor), fasting (uraza), jihad (holy wars), collecting taxes and donations, the right to sign, determine punishments, issue decrees, protect borders – rests on the Imam of the Muslims (usul al-kafi, vol. 1, p. 200). in “Nakhjul-Balaga” it is said: “The place of the leader is equivalent to the place of the thread in the rosary, which gathers the beads together, and if this thread breaks, then the beads will scatter in different directions and it will not be possible to gather them together.”

There is also a tradition from the great prophet: “Obey the one whom God has ordered to manage affairs, because he regulates Islamic laws.”

From the above it is clear that Islam has an Imamate and Faqihs (Islamic jurists) are successors during the absence of an Imam of an era. A Muslim Faqih must possess the following qualities:

1- be smart;

2- to be a righteous Muslim;

3- to be fair;

4- to be able to manage society and solve the problems of Muslims;

5- not to have such qualities as self-interest, power-loving, greed, opportunism and indulgence in business;

6- to be a faqih – to know the Qur’an and traditions, Islamic enlightenment, morality and jurisprudence.