The Need for the Imam — Page 13
D ar u rat-ul-Imam 13 people are not deprived of their blessings. It is shameful that a person called 'a friend of God' should fall prey to base morals, and should not even be able to tolerate a harsh word. Also, one who proclaims himself the 'Imam of the age', and yet has such a volatile temper that he starts frothing at the mouth and his eyes blaze with anger at the slightest provo- cation, can never be called an Imam of the age. The Imam of the age, therefore, must fully conform to the following verse: 14 Second is the quality of Im a mat by virtue of which he is named the Imam. It means that he should have the eagerness to excel in good deeds, in acquiring Divine verities, and in his love and knowledge of God. This means that his soul should not be pleased at any defi- ciency nor be content with an imperfect state. He should be hurt if he is obstructed in his spiritual progress. This is the innate faculty that should be found in an Imam. Even if, perchance, people do not accept his teaching and enlightened guidance, or follow his spiritual light, he still remains the Imam by virtue of his innate spiri- tual strength. In short, this fine spiritual point is worth 14 Thou dost surely possess high moral excellences. — Al-Qalam , 68:5 [Publishers]