The Imam is the very truth and spirit that governs the backbone of creation. Though created beings may not know it, they cannot do without this firm pillar. As soon as one Imam bears witness, another immediately succeeds him. The wisdom behind the continuity of the Imamate and Wilāya, despite all oppression and transgression, is that the appointed term of creation’s trial must first run its course!
The Imamate and Wilāya are a trust in this world of being—one that humankind has proved unworthy to bear!
Al-Aḥzāb: 72 إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمانَةَ عَلَى السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ وَ الْجِبالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَنْ يَحْمِلْنَها وَ أَشْفَقْنَ مِنْها وَ حَمَلَهَا الْإِنْسانُ إِنَّهُ كانَ ظَلُوماً جَهُولاً
Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens, the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it and were afraid of it; yet the human being undertook to bear it. Surely, he is most unjust and ignorant!
In an age of forbearance and conciliation, the rightful order does not outwardly take root on earth among a group of people. When the appointed term of forbearance comes to an end, the rightful order will be established in its entirety.
Al-Tawbah: 32 يُريدُونَ أَنْ يُطْفِؤُا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْواهِهِمْ وَ يَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلاَّ أَنْ يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ الْكافِرُونَ
They seek to extinguish the light of God with their mouths, but God will bring His light to completion, much as the disbelievers may resent it!
Al-Tawbah: 33 هُوَ الَّذي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدى وَ the religion الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُ عَلَى الدِّينِ كُلِّهِ وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ
He is the One who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, so that He may make it prevail over every religion, much as the polytheists may dislike it!
Al-Ṣaff: 8 يُريدُونَ لِيُطْفِؤُا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْواهِهِمْ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ الْكافِرُونَ
They seek to extinguish the light of God with their mouths, but God will bring His light to completion, much as the disbelievers may dislike it!