['Aalim Network QR] Ayatullah Khumayni - Imam

[Ummulbanin <workshop@popmail.dircon.co.uk>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Assalamu 'alaykum
The following question was answered by Shaykh Mustafa Jaffer

Salaams & Duas
Ummulbanin Merali - Moderator - 'Aalim Network
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QUESTION:

Samahat Ayatullah Al-Khomeini (rahmatullahi 'alaihi) is usually called
"Imam" by many of us. According to my poor knowledge, the Imams (A.S.) were
just  twelve, and the last of them is Al-Mahdi (A.S.). Is it correct for a Shi'i
to call "Imam" a person other than the twelve Imams (A.S.) even when he is 
particularly respectful and has demonstrated heroic skills in the defense of 
Islam, as is the case?

ANSWER:

Imam is an Arabic word which means 'leader'. Hence you will find that the
person leading Congregational Prayers or Jumah Prayers is also called the
Imam. A Mosque normally has an Imam.

It is alright for the Shi'i to call somebody an Imam. However, after the
12th Holy Imam (AS) reappears, the school of Imamate is his and his alone. 

Wa Minallahit Tawfiq

Mustafa Jaffer