The Need for the Imam — Page 14
14 remembering that Im a mat is a faculty ingrained in the very nature of the person whom the Divine Will has designated for this office. The word 'Im a mat', when translated, means 'the power to lead'. Thus it is not a temporary office, which is given to him afterwards. In fact, like all the other faculties—of sight and sound and understanding—Im a mat is the faculty to forge ahead and to excel all in Divine matters. And this is what the term Im a mat implies. Third faculty is the immensity of knowledge, which is sine qua non for Im a mat and its essential property. Since Im a mat implies the urge to move forward in truth and knowledge, in the essentials of love, and in sincerity and loyalty, an Imam focuses all his energies on this purpose, and always keeps praying 15. His senses and perceptions are already equipped to perform these functions. That is why God’s grace grants him all encompassing knowledge regarding Di- vine sciences and there is no one among his contemporaries who can equal him in the knowledge of Quranic verities, in spiritual blessings and in incon- trovertible reasoning. His considered opinion corrects the opinion of others. Whenever someone disagrees 15 O my Lord, increase me in knowledge. — T a H a , 20:115 [Publishers]