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The conception of leadership in Islam after the death of the prophet Muhammad is connected to a row of the very problematic issues; and a heated debate exists in this religion concerning those candidates who would occupy Muhammad’s position on a temporary basis. The first one among the Prophet’s successors is the Caliph. The caliph can be elected by consensus of a row of noble personalities or this position may be inherited which became common during the vast period of time. Still, the issue of the prophet’s successors is still a very difficult problem in the Muslim religion which is even causing the breakdown in its rows being a reason of appearing of numerous denominations and even sects. As a result of such difficulties connected to the issue of succession there exists a hot debate among the religious leaders of Islam including theologians and imams.
Speaking about the issue of succession and its interpretation in Shi’i Islam, it should be stated that Imam is the most important person in the Muslim community who represents the role of the Prophet for the Shi’ite Muslims. In particular, according to Momen (147),
To the Shi’ites, however, the succession of the Prophet is a matter of the designation by the Prophet of an individual (‘Ali) as Imam. Each Imam designates his successor during the lifetime. The authority of the Imam derives from his designation by his predecessor to a spiritual station and is independent of his temporal standing, i.e. it makes no difference to the Imam’s station whether he is acknowledged by the generality of Muslims or not, whereas this quite clearly does not apply to a Sunni Caliph whose station is totally dependent on such acknowledgments.
With regards to the above-mentioned paragraph, it becomes evident that Shi’ites see the role of Imam as the most important one in their community which makes them different form the rest of Muslim denominations and sects.
Reflecting on the information from this passage which seems to be the central message of the chapter under consideration, it should be stated that the issue of succession has always been one of the most important, and the most heated ones in Islam. During the centuries to pass the most heated debates and even conflicts originated on the reason of unclear statements about the succession made in the Holy books of Islam including Alcoran and the books written later by the holy men of Islam. The problem originates on the basis of ambitious statements concerning the role of Imams and the other religious and state leaders made in the Muslim Holy Scriptures. Especially for the Sunni state or political leaders are believed to be chosen by God and, thus, are considered to be his messengers and representatives on the earth. On the contrary, the Shi’ites believe Imams or priests to have a more important role as God’s ambassadors for people.
Concluding on all the information related above, it should be stated that the issue of succession seems to be the most important and heated issue within the Muslim religion. During the centuries to pass the representatives from the most varied denominations and sects of Islam including the main ones of Shiah and Sunni argued about the role of varied religious leaders in the area of succession. This heated debate led to numerous breakdowns within the Muslim religion. This argument seems to continue as a burning issue in the future.
Works Cited
Momen, Moojan. Introduction to Shi’i Islam, United Sates: Yale University Press, n. d. Print.
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