Abd al-Karim b. Ahmad al-Hilli

2. Theological Foundations

Central to al-Hilli’s teachings is his engagement with the concept of Imamate, which posits that the leadership of the Muslim community must be vested in the Ahl al-Bayt, the family of the Prophet Muhammad. Al-Hilli articulates the doctrine of Imamate as a divinely ordained institution, essential for maintaining the spiritual and temporal authority of the Muslim community. Through meticulous theological reasoning, he argues that the Imams possess infallibility and divine knowledge, distinguishing them as unique spiritual leaders capable of interpreting the Qur’an and Hadith.

Moreover, al-Hilli emphasizes the notion of ‘Ilm al-Ghayb’, or knowledge of the unseen, which is attributed to the Imams. His interpretations draw from Quranic verses and prophetic traditions that underscore the significance of divine guidance, suggesting that adherence to the Imams is crucial for true understanding of Islamic teachings.