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Unlock This CourseWhen Prophet Muhammad died in 632 CE, the Muslim community faced a big question. Who would lead them now? Muslims believe Muhammad was the last prophet, so no one could take his place as a messenger. But the community still needed a leader. Muslims gave two different answers, and this is how the two main branches of Islam began.
Key terms:
Sunni Muslims believe the Prophet did not name a successor. So the community chose its leader. They accepted Abu Bakr, the Prophet's close friend, as the first caliph. Three more caliphs followed: Umar, Uthman and Ali. Sunni Muslims honour all four.
Shi'a Muslims believe the Prophet did name his successor. They say it was Ali, his cousin and son-in-law. For Shi'a Muslims, leadership belonged to Ali and then to leaders from the Prophet's own family.
Both groups love the Prophet and follow the Qur'an. They differ over who had the right to lead, and what that leader is like.
For Shi'a Muslims, the Imam is not just a leader who happens to be chosen. The Imams are very important people in their faith. They have three main roles.
Shi'a Muslims believe the Imams are the successors of the Prophet in leading the community. The first was Ali, and the others came from the Prophet's family.
Shi'a Muslims believe the Imams were sinless and did not make mistakes in religion, so believers can trust what they teach.
Shi'a Muslims see the Imams as the best interpreters of the Qur'an. They explain the true meaning of its verses.
The largest group of Shi'a Muslims believes in twelve Imams. The last of them is believed to be hidden by Allah. They believe he will return one day. Until then, believers look to the teachings the Imams left behind.
The Imam is important because he gives Shi'a Muslims a link to the Prophet's family and a trusted guide to the faith. As the last lesson showed, qualified Shi'a scholars also look to the guidance of the Imams, along with reason.
In Sunni Islam the word imam means something much simpler. An imam is a leader of a local community, and especially a leader of prayers. He is not a priest. He has no special powers, and he is not sinless. Usually a man with enough knowledge and good character does the job.
The community usually chooses its imam. They look for someone with knowledge of the Qur'an and good character. The imam is important because he helps Muslims to pray together and to follow Islam well.
A successor to the Prophet, from his family. Believed to be sinless. Leads and interprets the Qur'an.
A local leader of prayer, chosen by the community for knowledge and character. Not sinless. Leads prayers, teaches and advises.
Shi'a Muslims today still look to the Imams for guidance. They value the teachings passed down from them. The belief in the hidden Imam gives many Shi'a Muslims hope that justice will come.
Sunni Muslims today rely on their local imam for prayer, advice and teaching. Many people meet him at Jum'a every week, so he is part of daily community life.
Both views are held sincerely. When you write about them, describe each one in its own terms and do not say one is right.
Paper 2, (a) Outline two roles of the imam in Sunni Islam. [4 marks, AO1]
Paper 2, (b) Explain why the Imams are important for Shi'a Muslims. [6 marks, AO1 and AO2]
Paper 2, (c) "The imam is more important than anyone else in the Muslim community." Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include reference to teachings, other points of view, and your own opinion with reasons. [10 marks, AO1 and AO2]
(a) One role is to lead the prayers (1), standing at the front of the worshippers in the mosque (1). Another role is to teach (1), for example the Qur'an to children and adults in the community (1).
(b) The Imams are important because Shi'a Muslims believe they are the successors of the Prophet, beginning with Ali, whom Shi'a Muslims believe the Prophet named. This means that, for Shi'a Muslims, they are the rightful leaders of the community, from the Prophet's own family. Shi'a Muslims also believe the Imams were sinless, so believers can trust their teaching without fear of error. In addition, the Imams are seen as interpreters of the Qur'an, explaining what its verses really mean. Many Shi'a Muslims believe the twelfth Imam is hidden and will return, which gives them hope. So the Imams give guidance, a link to the Prophet and trust in the faith.
(c) For: a Shi'a Muslim would say the Imam is the most important person after the Prophet, because he is sinless, from the Prophet's family and the best interpreter of the Qur'an. A Sunni Muslim might say the imam leads the prayers every week, so he is very important in daily life. Against: Sunni Muslims say the imam is not a priest and has no special powers, so he is no more important than other believers. Many Muslims would say the Prophet and the Qur'an are far more important than any leader. Conclusion: the imam is important, especially for Shi'a Muslims, but for most Muslims the Qur'an and the Prophet come first, so the statement is too strong.
In (b), use the three roles: successor, sinless, interpreter. In (c), show that the word imam has two meanings, and say which meaning you are using in each argument.