be, an Imam to teach and to lead.*( IMAM primarily means: HE WHO ISFOREMOST' hence a religious leader, a MODEL, aPATTERN or one who leads the congregational prayer.) the translator )

" O, You who believe! fear Allah and be with those whoare truthful."

THE HOLY QURN S 9: 911

This verse of QURN does not point a certaintime or a distinct age. It rather unconditionally orders the people to be the followers of the truthful Imam.

All the famous commentators have taken theword: TRUTHFUL to mean an innocent Imam whois free of guilt and sin.

54 THE REALITY OF IMAMT

WE BELIEVE that Imamat is not only theapparent rulership or leadership of a caliph, but rather a high spiritual or religious position. Besides ruling and governing the Islamic society, an Imam has the overall leadership of this mortal life of people as well as that