Sahih Muslim (Volume 2)

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Imam Abul-Husain Muslim. Sahih Muslim (Volume 2)

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Preface

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A far more common usage of the word is as a title of respect added before the name of a scholar who is recognized for his high achievement and scholarship. This is how it is mostly used in this work. It may, however, also be used here in the sense of the ‘leader of congregational prayer’ when this topic is discussed, but as such will be clearly identified at that juncture. A scholar who is considered an imam has no special distinction, apart from what his scholarship gives him; he does not enjoy any special status. It will be noted in this work that the views of some such scholars are outlined, and discussed or rejected. This is clearly a matter of scholarly difference that does not detract from the high standing of the scholar or the one who differs with him.

The Shia have a totally different concept of ‘imam’. They give this status to twelve people starting with [Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin, followed by eleven of his descendants through Fatimah, his wife and the Prophet’s daughter. To the Shia, those imams were infallible and enjoy a rank that is almost equal to that of the Prophet. Indeed, the way some Shia speak of the third Imam, al-Husayn, the Prophet’s grandson, gives at times the impression that they rank him above the Prophet himself. Moreover, the Shia believe that the twelfth Imam was taken away and did not die: he will return at some point when he will bring justice to the world. This Shia concept is absolutely unacceptable to Sunni Muslims who do not recognize any such status as belonging to anyone.

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