Is the burial of the Imam delayed until a general or specific pledge of allegiance is made to another Imam?
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The questioner : Is the community remaining without an Imam specific to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), or is it general?
The Shaykh : It is general; an Imam is necessary.
The questioner : The burial of the Imam is delayed until they have an Imam.
The Shaykh : Yes, but do not let your delusion, or your imagination, lead you to think that the Muslim community today should have a single Imam. There is no single Imam now. The Muslim community has had Imams for a long time, even from the time of the Companions; it had Imams, each in his place. But for example, if we consider the Imam of a piece of land, or a group of land, he is not buried until the heir apparent succeeds him. Do you understand?
The Shaykh : It is general; an Imam is necessary.
The questioner : The burial of the Imam is delayed until they have an Imam.
The Shaykh : Yes, but do not let your delusion, or your imagination, lead you to think that the Muslim community today should have a single Imam. There is no single Imam now. The Muslim community has had Imams for a long time, even from the time of the Companions; it had Imams, each in his place. But for example, if we consider the Imam of a piece of land, or a group of land, he is not buried until the heir apparent succeeds him. Do you understand?