Legislative Authority of the Infallible - Dr. Mohammad Mahmoud Mortada

Al-Wilayah [Authority] constitutes a central axis and a fundamental pillar among the sages, and particularly within Imami Shi‘a thought, for it represents "proximity," which is considered the very essence of practical reason in Islam. Indeed, prophets and messengers derive their legitimacy and substantiate their worthiness for such exalted stations precisely through this proximity.

Nor does al-Wilayah, in its other dimension, represented by Sultanate, deviate from this primary meaning; rather, a profound interdependency exists between the two. For al-Wilayah of authority is grounded in al-Wilayah of proximity; indeed, one cannot attain the former without first having secured the latter.

Since the Imam’s connection with God stems from his proximity to Him, this necessitates a specific form of knowledge known as "Presential Knowledge", a knowledge that reveals realities and their objective determinations, rather than merely their outward appearances. Given that Divine Authority possesses this very nature, al-Imamiyyah, drawing an analogy with Prophet Hood, have maintained that the designation of the Imam through explicit divine text is obligatory. Furthermore, just as Prophet Hood requires proofs, such as miracles, to substantiate the veracity of its claimant, so too does the Imamate. Consequently, the divinely granted knowledge [Laduni knowledge] has come to be regarded as one of the most prominent signs distinguishing the true Imam from all others.

#Obedience