muslim313

We do need guidance today correct? How does the current imam guide us? I still have not seen a sufficient answer for this

We believe Shaitan can misguide us because it says so in the Quran. Can a non physical entity guide or misguide us? Of course if Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) wills. This doesn’t prove the mahdi (عليه السلام) can or does. You have to show proof of the claim not cherry pick verses from the Quran with a preconceived belief and twist verses to tie into that belief

@Zaidism @User 313 I'm not too familiar with Zaidi beliefs. I'm a twelver Shia and have similar thoughts to what Zaidism mentioned in this post. An argument typically made for the existence of the Mahdi (عليه السلام) is that there must always be an infallible divine guide or the earth would implode. First of all this doesn't make sense. The earth existed before prophet Adam (عليه السلام), meaning no divine guide. The whole purpose of always having a divine guide is for our guidance, yet the Shia concept of the 12th imam fails this very basic requirement. He(عليه السلام) has left us with no Hadith of guidance, we cannot talk, hear or interact with this divine guide for any of our issues or confusions. So the question remains, how does Imam Mahdi (عليه السلام) guide us? I will go through this thread and follow up.

What I'm trying to derive out of this question is if the Imamah title given to Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) is the same as the Shia concept of Imamah, why would the Imams be considered superior if they are not prophets or messengers? Saying that they are superior would suggest that they have a different/superior type of Imamah, which would invalidate that verse as a proof of the Shia concept of Imamah as an actual separate position being mentioned in the Quran. This also leads into my follow up questions about the differences between Prophets/Messenger/Imams. Saying that the Imams were equal or superior to prophets with the same attributes and role could be seen as a continuation of prophethood, with just a different name.

Salam, I have been a member of this forum gaining valuable information for many years. I am a Shia and wanted to better understand my beliefs and why this is the true correct path. I have been researching the different point of views/opinions/proofs from both Shia and Sunni sources for a long time, while trying to take a step back and be unbiased with my current beliefs. This has led me to a few important questions that I'm seeking answers for. The 3 topics tie together somewhat. I would really appreciate some input to help me with these doubts that I now have: Shia concept of Imamah In Quran Imamah is considered to be of very high importance and one of the Usul al-din. To be a pillar/fundamental belief, the concept should be explicit/clear in the Quran. The other Usul al-din are clearly mentioned multiple times in the Quran. I went through all of the verses that use the word "Imam" as well as some of the verses that are used as proofs for Imamah utilizing both Shia/Sunni interpretations and they didn’t seem clear enough to prove the concept of Imamah without imposing a prior belief of Imamah on the verse. The theme in the Quran for the word "Imam" seems to be a "Leader" in the general sense. The word is used to refer to a book for guidance, evil leaders, a road, Leader from Israelites, and Leaders who are Prophets. What's the main verse in the Quran used to prove the Shia concept of Imamah? I know one of the main verses used is 2:124. It mentions Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) being given the title Imam for the people after passing tests. What exactly did he gain that he didn’t have before? Does this Imamah of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) also refer to successorship and safeguarding the religion like the Shia concept of the 12 Imams? Is this really clear enough proof that it could also be referring to a separate non prophet, non messenger, divine, infallible, successor, position/entity that must be followed Quran 3:7 - It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding. Imamah and the Finality of Prophethood There were prophets who's only mission was to revive the past Shari`ah from a previous messenger, preserve it from loss or tampering, promote it, spread it and guide people towards it, without bringing new divine laws. What's the difference between an Imam/Prophet/Messenger? Please provide authentic references From what I understand of the Shia view from various scholars and hadith in Al-Kafi, the 12 Imam's are ranked higher and are superior to all Prophets/Messengers except Prophet Muhammad ((صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)). If this is true, why are they ranked higher than Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) who was a Messenger/Prophet/Imam? Wouldn’t believing that the imams are superior (or equal)/ with the same attributes/characteristics/job as prophets be the same as continuing prophethood and invalidating the belief of the finality of prophethood? Guidance of Imam Mahdi (عليه السلام) The Shia concept of Imamah is that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) must appoint an infallible leader to guide the nation to the correct path and there must be one at all times until the end of times or the earth will implode. It is not justice from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) to leave us without any divine leadership. How does the current hidden/unavailable Imam (عليه السلام) guide us today? Isn't the occultation a contradiction with the basis of the reason we claim we need an Imaam?