Does the Imam need to be from the most noble lineage?

[Hani]

Salam,


I'm opening this topic because the Twelver sect puts a lot of emphasis on "lineage" and "prophetic-household". They give the impression that the Imams are perfect in every way and must be the cream of the crop during their times.


My comment is, it seems the Imams aren't always the most noble people of their times in terms of lineage.


For example Ja`far bin Muhammad and `Abdullah bin al-Hasan were both Imams of Ahlul-Bayt during the same period. Twelvers follow the first and dismiss the second even though the second is MORE linked to Ahlul-Bayt than the first.


Ja`far's father is Muhammad bin `Ali bin Husayn bin `Ali bin abi Talib, his mother is Asma' bint `Abdul-Rahman bin Abu Bakr.


`Abdullah's father is al-Hasan bin al-Hasan bin `Ali bin abi Talib, his mother is Fatimah bint al-Husayn bin `Ali bin abi Talib.


Point is, Second man's lineage is A LOT better than the first man by any objective standards.

[Ijtaba]

Wasalaam,

My comment is, it seems the Imams aren't always the most noble people of their times in terms of lineage.

I think the understanding of shias by the word noble people means people having Halal birth & good reputation in society with regards to their family, lineage, generosity, etc.

Ja`far's father is Muhammad bin `Ali bin Husayn bin `Ali bin abi Talib, his mother is Asma' bint `Abdul-Rahman bin Abu Bakr.

Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s) mother is Umm-e-Farwa bint Qasim bin Mohammed bin Abu Bakr. Asma' bint `Abdul-Rahman is mother of Umm-e-Farwa (Mother of Imam Jafar as-Sadiq a.s)