Precious Fruits
Appointing the Imam is Obligatory Upon Us by Revelation
Adud al-Din al-Iji said (in al-Mawaqif): "Appointing the Imam is obligatory upon us by revelation... As for its obligation upon us by revelation, there are two reasons: The first is that the consensus of the Muslims in the early days after the death of the Prophet has been continuously reported that it is impossible for a time to be without an Imam, so that Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, said in his sermon: "Muhammad has died, and this religion must have someone to uphold it," so everyone rushed to accept it and left the most important things for it, which is the burial of the Messenger of God, and people have continued to do so in every era until our time, from appointing an Imam who is followed in every era... The second is that it involves warding off a probable harm, and that is obligatory by consensus. The explanation is that we know with near certainty that the purpose of the Lawgiver in what he prescribed of transactions, marriages, jihad, penalties, compensations, and showing the symbols of the Sharia in holidays and gatherings is only benefits returning to the creation in their livelihood and afterlife, and that will not be achieved except by an Imam who is from the Lawgiver to whom they refer in what concerns them...".
O God, bless our master Muhammad and all his family and companions
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you
