The Imams عليه السلام are the Deputies of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, on earth and the Gates through which people go nearer to Allah

2. Mu‘alla has narrated from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Sulayman ibn Suma‘a from ‘Abdallah ibn al-Qasim from abu Basir who has said that Imam abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام said the following. “The successors (of the holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم are the gates to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, through which people go to Him. Had they not existed, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, would not have been recognized. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, will present these successors as evidence against His creatures.”

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran. “God has promised the righteously striving believers to appoint them as His deputies on earth, as He had appointed those who lived before. . .” (24:55) The Imams عليه السلام said, “The people referred to in this verse are the Imams عليه السلام.”