level: The imamte in Shi'a
Questions and Answers List
level questions: The imamte in Shi'a
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who did Sunnis and Shias elect ad the first successor of Muhammed? | As the first successor of Muhammed Sunni Muslims elected Abu Bakr as their first Calipha, while Shias believed Muhammed named his cousin, Ali ibn Ali Talib as his successor so Ali became the first Shi’a imam |
| Why did Shia Muslims believe it was important for Ali ibn Ali Talib to become Mouhammed’s successor? | Shia Muslims believed it was important for Ali ibn Ali Talib to become Muhammed’s successor because he had been appointed by divine instruction. The choice Sunni Muslims made reflected their acceptance of free will that conflicted with Shias strictly obliged nature to Allah. In the Qur’an Muhammed said, “Whoever disobeys me has indeed disobeyed Allah”, Shia Muslims believed the family line was the only moral option. |
| What do Twelver Shia Muslims believe Imamate does? | Shia Muslims believe imamate allows for the power of divine law to be counited from Muhammed. Twelver Shias believe God’s law was completed though Muhammed but the guiding of people and explaining of the divine law is continued through imams, as in each generation there has always been a divinely appointed Imam to have authority over the matter of faith and law. |