The Reason Why There is a Need for the Imam عليه السلام

The author of this book says that what proves our contention that the system of nature depends on the existence of the Imam is that Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, does not send chastisement upon a community until the prophet departs from it. As Allah says regarding Prophet Nuh عليه السلام: “Until when Our command came and water came forth from the valley, We said: Carry in it two of all things, a pair, and your own family—except those against whom the word has already gone forth” (11:40). Thus, Allah commanded Prophet Nuh عليه السلام to take the believers with him and separate from the community, not mingling with them. Allah also said: “And do not speak to Me in respect of those who are unjust; surely they shall be drowned” (11:37).
Similarly, in the case of Prophet Lut عليه السلام, Allah said: “So remove your followers in a part of the night—and let none of you turn back—except your wife, for surely whatsoever befalls them shall befall her” (11:81). Hence, Allah commanded Prophet Lut عليه السلام to leave before sending down wrath, because while he remained among them, divine chastisement could not descend. Likewise, whenever Allah decides to punish a community, He first orders the prophet among them to depart. Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام, fearing divine wrath, withdrew saying: “And I will withdraw from you and what you call on besides Allah, and I will call upon my Lord; maybe I shall not remain unblessed in calling upon my Lord. So when he withdrew from them and what they worshipped besides Allah” (19:48-49), Allah destroyed those who harassed Ibrahim and cast them into Hell.
Allah also saved Prophet Lut عليه السلام as He said: “And We delivered him as well as Lut (removing them) to the land which We had blessed for all people” (21:71). Allah blessed Ibrahim عليه السلام with Ishaq and Yaqoob, saying: “And We gave him Ishaq and Yaqoob, a son’s son, and We made (them) all good” (21:72). Regarding the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, Allah says: “But Allah was not going to chastise them while you were among them” (8:33). It is mentioned in authentic narrations from our Holy Imams عليه السلام that even seeing the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم or one of the Imams عليه السلام entering a village in a dream suffices to secure that village from feared harm.
The argument presented by Hisham to Amr bin Ubaid also proves the occultation: just as the heart is concealed from the other organs—unseen by eyes, untouchable by hands, and untasted by the tongue—yet it controls all the organs and ensures their proper function. Without the heart, the body’s organs cannot operate properly and chaos ensues. Likewise, the world depends on the Imam for its survival and proper function. Traditions tell us of the heart’s position in the body and similarly inform us of the hidden Proof, whose advent will be from Mecca.
Here, the heart is not merely a lump of flesh but denotes a subtle essence placed by Allah within it. This subtle heart is imperceptible by vision and untouchable by hands, yet through it, one discerns right from wrong and controls the body’s physical organs. The absence of this vital organ causes the entire body’s system to collapse. Likewise, the hidden Imam or Divine Proof in occultation sufficiently guides and governs creation. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has made creatures dependent on the Imam—though in occultation—through whom calamities are averted, sustenance is provided, and rain descends. There is no strength except by Allah.