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2. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): In the beginning Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
(p) was given the status of a slave (Abd) by God. Then he was promoted
to the status of a Prophet. After that Prophet Ibrahim (p) was bestowed
the status of an Apostle, then upgraded to the position of a ‘Friend
of God’ and finally appointed as Imam (Leader) of the people.
The Imamate was conferred on him only after he went through various
stages. God said to Prophet Ibrahim (p): …Verily, I appoint
you the Imam (leader) of the people… (Q, 2:124). As Imamate
was a sublime status, Prophet Ibrahim (p) requested that this status
may also be conferred on his progeny. In reply God said: …But
My covenant will not reach the wrong-doers (Q, 2:124). Fools cannot
be the leaders of the pious ones.
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3. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): From among the Apostles and Prophets,
five are the leaders of pious people and are Universal Apostles.
They are the epicenters of Divine Guidance; they are Prophet Nuh
(Noah) (p), Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (p), Prophet Musa (Moses)
(p), Prophet Isa (Jesus) (p) and Prophet Muhammad (p).
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