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concerning it he does not deviate from correctness. He (the Imam) is infallible, confirmed,
successful, directed, safe from mistakes, slips, and stumbles. Allah singled him out with that, that
he may be His proof over His servants and a witness over His creatures. That is the grace of Allah:
He gives it to whom He pleases, and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.
"Therefore, are they able (to find) the like of this (person) and choose him? Or does the one
chosen by them have such attributes and they give him precedence (over them)? By the House of
Allah, they have exceeded the truth and thrown the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they
knew nothing. In the Book of Allah there are guidance and cure; nevertheless they have thrown it
(behind their backs). They have followed their desires, so Allah has dispraised, detested, and make
them miserable when He, may He be magnified and exalted, has said: and who is more erring than
he who follows his low desires without any guidance from Allah? Surely Allah does not guide the
unjust people.[2] And He, may He be magnified and exalted, has said: for them is destruction, and
He has made their deeds ineffective.[3] And He, may He be magnified and exalted, has said:
Greatly hated is it by Allah and by those who believe. Thus does Allah set a seal over the heart of
every proud, haughty one."[4]
Imam al‐Rida's speech has come to an end.[5] It is full of the most wonderful kinds of proofs of
the Imamate. It indicates that the Imamate is required, and that it is impossible for men to choose
and elect an Imam. It also shows that it is only Allah, the Exalted, Who chooses for this high office
whom he pleases of His servants. It displays that such servants must have the attributes of good
and perfection, the purity of soul, the clearness of self. They must not yield to the motives of
inclination, the tendencies of evil and vainglory, that they may be righteous for guiding men,
planting the essence of trust and virtue in their souls.
[1] Surat al‐Nisa', verses 54‐55.
[2] Surat al‐Qasas, verse 50.
[3] Surat Muhammed, verse 8.
[4] Surat al‐Mu'min, verse 35.
[5] 'Uyoon Akhbar al‐Rida, vol. 1, pp. 216‐222. Usool al‐Kafi.
Texts on the Imamate
Surely the Shi'a maintain that the Imam is appointed according to the texts, and there is no other
way for that. Accordingly it is incumbent on the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, to
appoint him who will succeed him. Likewise it is incumbent on the Imam to appoint his successor
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