|
Imam The word Imam appears eleven times in the
quran
with different meanings such as the leader (2:124), ideal (11:17), direction
(15:79), and book (36:12). Literally, Imam also means symbol or indicator.
Pragmatically, the word is applied in three different situations: (1)
Imam is the main person who leads the sal'at (nam'az or
prayer) in a jam'at (group). The Imam who conducts the five daily
prayers is called Pesh Imam and the Imam who conducts the Jum'ua
(Friday) prayer is called Khatib. Any Muslim who, has adequate
knowledge about the rules of sal'at and is otherwise fit as a pious man
can be an Imam. (2) Sunnis show honour to the khalifas (caliphs)
and the noted Islamic 'alims (scholars) by prefixing the word Imam to
their names. (3) Shiahs use the word for different purposes but the main
idea in their interpretations is that only the descendents of Hazrat Ali
Ibn Talib (R) and none else can hold the position of the highest leader
in the world of islam.
Some sultans of Bengal adopted the title of Khalifa or Imam. [Syed Ashraf
Ali] |
