femir; pishrev) (When a group, during a journey, reaches the number of three people and thus forms a congregation, it is necessary for one of the prominent members among them to be chosen as the amīr (leader). For the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: "If you are three on a journey, appoint one of you as amīr." (Abū Dāwūd, Jihād, 80) The person whom the Sufis call pishrev (leader) must be the one among the congregation who is the most ascetic regarding the world (dunyā), who possesses the greatest share of taqwa (God-consciousness), who is foremost in generosity (sakhāwa) and chivalry (murūwa), and who is the most compassionate among the congregation.
The imām is only one of those who possess four qualities. Beings exist and continue their existence through Allah's grace and bounty. The scholars have said: There are four types of rulers, and there is no fifth. The first is generous to himself and generous to his people. The second is stingy to himself and stingy to his people. The third is generous to himself but stingy to his people. The fourth is stingy to himself but generous to his people. Any ruler on earth does not fall outside these four qualities. (Tadbīrāt, 152)
No one but the one whose command is identical with Allah's has truly estimated Allah as He deserves.
This is an undeniable truth.
From Him is the sameness of speech (kalām).
This is the awaited imām.
The expectation itself is the essence of his hiddenness.
Its end is ḥikma (wisdom).
To know his worth is to know that you know.
Every imām whose imamate is valid today
was once one of the congregation.