The Imam in Muslim Religion.

The Imam is the head of the Muslim community.   Mention of the Imam is found in the Qur'an several times to refer to leaders and to Abraham. The origin and basis of the office of imam was conceived differently by various sections of the Muslim community. The sharp difference resulted into the split into Sunnite and Shi'ite Islam.

Among Sunnites, imam was synonymous with khalifah, designating the successor of Muhammad, who assumed his administrative and political except religious functions.

The Imam has to be appointed and obeyed, provided he maintained the ordinances of Islam. Political disagreement over succession to his office after the death  in year 661, of Ali, the fourth caliph and Muhammad's son-in-law, propelled the Shi'ite imam with a separate course of development.  The partisans of Ali attempted to preserve leadership of the entire Muslim community among the descendants of Ali.

In Shi'ite Islam, the imam became a figure of absolute spiritual authority and fundamental importance. Ali and the successive imams, who are believed by Shi'ism to be the sole possessors of secret insights into the Qur'an given them by Muhammad, under Neo-platonic influences of the 9th-10th centuries AD became viewed as men illumined by the Primeval Light, God, and as divinely appointed and preserved from sin. They alone, and not the general consensus of the community essential to Sunnite Islam, determined matters of doctrinal importance and interpreted revelation. With the historical disappearance ghaybah of the last imam.

There has been no consistency in the number of Imams, among the major sects, Sab'iyah Isma'ilis acknowledge 7 imams and Ithna 'Ashari (Twelvers) 12.

The title imam is also given to the specially trained Muslims who lead prayers in the mosques.

Most accounts of the story say that al Mahdi went into hiding as a child around the age of 5 years in about 13th Century. It said he has been ‘in hiding’ in caves ever since but will supernaturally return just before the Day of Judgment. According to the Hadith the criteria for the Hidden Imam are:

• He will be a descendant of Muhammad and the son of Fatima
• Will have a broad forehead and pointed nose
• Will return just before the end of the world
• His appearance will be preceded by a number of prophetic events during 3 years of horrendous world chaos, tyranny and oppression
• Will escape from Madina to Mekkah, thousands will pledge allegiance to him
• Will rule over the Arabs and the world for 7 years
• Will eradicate all tyranny and oppression bringing harmony and total peace
• Will lead a prayer in Mekkah which Jesus will be at his side and follow him.

Remarkably, the 12th Imam theory plays heavily into the world’s current concerns with Iran. The Shiite Muslim President of Iran, Ahmadinejad, is deeply committed to the Islamic Messiah, al Mahdi. There have been many through the years claiming to be the Hidden Imam but Ahmadinejad believes he is yet to come. He claims that he is to personally prepare the world for the coming Mahdi. In order to save the world, it must be in a state of chaos and subjugation. Ahmadinejad claims he was “directed by Allah to pave the way for the glorious appearance of the Mahdi”. This apocalyptic directive includes some very scary proclamations.

While Christians look for Jesus’ 2nd coming, the Jews await the Messiah and Muslims await the 12th Imam. However, of the three, Allah’s designated Mahdi is the only one who demands a violent path to conquer the world. Mr. Ahmadinejad, and his cabinet, say they have a ‘signed contract’ with al Mahdi in which they pledge themselves to his work. What does this work involve? In light of concerns over Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly stated Israel should be wiped off the map. He spoke to the United Nations in September ’05. During that speech he claims to have been in an aura of light and felt a change in the atmosphere during which time no one present could blink their eyes. Iran’s PM is also said to have spoken in apocalyptic terms and seems to relish conflict with the West whom he calls the Great Satan. This is while he proclaims he must prepare the world for the coming Mahdi by way of a world totally under Muslim control. He is working hard to bring about the world-wide horrors that must be in place for their al Mahdi to bring peace.