Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

The term hujjat Allah means the sign of God. According to the Shi'ites, the Imam is the sign or proof of God (hujjat Allah) on earth. He is the bearer of Divine Light dressed in different bodies in every age to guide his followers. Imam Jafar Sadik said, "The Imams are the proofs (hujjat) of God on earth, their words are the words of God, and their commands are the commands of God. Obedience to them is obedience to God, and disobedience to them is disobedience to God. In all their decisions they are inspired by God, and they are in absolute authority. It is to them, therefore, that God has ordained obedience" (al-Kafi, pp. 214).