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

Narrated to us Muhammad bin Umar: Narrated to me Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Sirri bin Sahl: Narrated to us Abbas bin Husain: Narrated to us Abdul Malik bin Harun bin Antara from his father from his grandfather from Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام that he said: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: “The stars are (means of) security for the folks of the heavens. Thus when the stars go away the folks of the sky shall also be gone. And my Ahlul Bayt is (the means of) safety for the inhabitants of the earth. Thus when my Ahlul Bayt go away the folks of the earth shall also be gone.”