Imamate according to Imam Sadiq's School

The meaning of Imamate in which the Shiah believe is one of the most fundamental beliefs which gives Shiʻite school precedence over other Islamic schools. Shiʻite scholars have delved into the belief of Imamate and their investigations are based on transmitted knowledge and rational evidence. Referring to transmitted knowledge and historical sources and examining Imam Sadiq's sayings, the present paper studies the belief of Imamate. The most important research findings show that during the life time of Imam Sadeq, the inquiry into explanations and descriptions of Imamate was highly exceptional when compared with the early period of the development of Shiʻite school, which was a cause for some to believe in Imam's divinity in that period. According to Imam Sadiq's sayings, Imam has the following privileges: he is God's argument over God’s servants, he has the responsibility of religious, scientific, moral and political authority, he is a mediator between God and servants, for bestowing favours upon them, he is appointed by God, he is infallible and he has God-given knowledge.