ما هي ولاية الفقيه؟

The Shia believe in the existence of twelve infallible imams, the last of whom is Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Askari, the Absent One, whom they claim entered a cellar and is still alive within it. This is a false belief, contradicted by both religious law and sensory perception.

The concept of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) began when the occultation of the awaited Imam lengthened, and the Shia were deprived of a legitimate state, according to their belief. This led to the suspension of certain rulings, such as jihad. The most prominent advocate for Wilayat al-Faqih was Khomeini, who granted the mujtahid jurist absolute general authority, like that of an Imam. No one among the Shia before him had ever held this view.

Wilayat al-Faqih leads to tyranny and the monopolization of power, making the ruler immune from error. The very notion of Wilayat al-Faqih demonstrates the falsity of the idea of designating and appointing Imams, and the concept of the absent Mahdi. If the absent Imam were the sole reference point, there would have been no need to invent Wilayat al-Faqih and give governance to a fallible person. And if the jurist assumes the position of the infallible Imam, there is no longer a need to await the absent one, nor to appoint Imams by name.

As for the Sunnis, the Companions unanimously agreed upon the rule of Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman. When Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) assumed power, he did not impugn the rule of those who preceded him. And Hasan relinquished power to Mu'awiyah. If the twelve Imams had been divinely designated, then Hasan would either be a traitor, or he would be infallible and his action of giving the caliphate to the deserving one, Mu'awiyah, would be correct.