Chapter II: Foundation of Belief
(9) Ninth basic Principle. It is to believe that an Imam, in addition to his qualifications of his being a Mulsim, mature and intelligent must have five other qualities — (1) he must be a male, (2) he must be a God fearing man, (3) he must be learned, (4) he must be competent, (5) he must belong to the tribe of Quraish as the Prophet said : The leaders are from the Quraish. When these qualities are found in a man, he is fit to become an Iman or ruler provided majority of the people swear allegiance to him. Those who oppose the majority of the people are rebels and it is incumbent to bring them under control.
(10) Tenth basic Principle. It is that if a man who is invested with the. power of rule is found lacking in God fear and learning and if there is fear of distrubance and trouble in case of his removal, then his rule will stand, because if he is removed, two conditions will arise. (1) Another man will be reinstated in his place or the post will remain vacant. In the first case, the harms which will be caused to' the Muslims in general will be greater than the harms of one who has got no God fear and learning in him. The qualties of leadership are for the greater good of the people.
These four pillar involving forty basic principles are the articles of belief. He who believes in these things follows Ahle Sunnat or the people of the ways of the Prophet.
Vol-I FOUNDATION OF BELIEF 119
SECTION 4
RULES . OF ARTICLES OF BELIEF
This section comprises three questions — (1) significance of the words 'Belief and 'Islam', (2) whether belief increases and decreased, (3) and the meaning of 'belief according to the early Muslim sages.
(1) First question. There is difference of opinion regarding the meanings of Islam and Iman, but there are three questions in that connection — (a) literal meanings of the words (b) their technical meaning in the Quran and traditions and (c) functions of the terms according to jurisprudence.
(a) Literal meanings. Iman means belief or confirmation of truth. God said : You have not brought faith in Me — 12 : 17, meaning you do not believe Me as true. Islam means submission and surrender and avoidance of unbelief, rebellion and disobedience. Heart is the special seat of Iman or confirmation of truth and tongue is its interpreter. Islam means submission and surrender and confirmation by tongue. The word 'Islam' is more comprehensive and 'Iman' is a special term. Iman is a part of Islam. Iman is Islam, but every Iman is not Islam.