The Imam is the successor of the Prophet and carries on his work after him.
Who appoints the Imam?
            The Prophet appints the Imam according to the Divine decree, and entrusts his work to him. The Imam continuess the leading andguiding of the people and clarifies for them Allah's message and commands. The Imam is the leader of the people and the guardian of religion.
            The Imams call the people to worship of Allah and to do good deeds and help others. The Imams were the enemies of oppressors and opposed and strived against them. The Imams worked hard to make the people aware of Allah and to establish justice amongst themselves. If the people have no leader and guide after the Prophet, how can they find the right path of life?

* The Imam is the leader and guide of the people and the guardian of religion.*

The Twelve Imams:

            We have twelve Imams after the Holy Prophet (S.A), who all came one after the other.
            First-Imam 'Ali, alayhis-salam
            Second-Imam Hasan, alayhis-salam
            Third-Imam Husayn, alayhis-salam
            Fourth-Imam 'Ali Zayn al-'Abidin, alayhis-salam
            Fifth-Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, alayhis-salam
            Sixth-Imam Ja'far as-sadiq, alayhis-salam
            Seventh-Imam Musa al-Kazim, alayhis-salam
            Eighth-Imam 'Ali ar-Riza, alayhis-salam
            Ninth-Imam Muhammad at-Taqi, alayhis-salam
            Tenth-Imam 'Ali an-Naqi, alayhis-salam
            Eleventh-Imam Hasan al-'Askari, alayhis-salam
            Twlfth-Imam Muhammad al-Mehdi, al-Hujjat, Imam al-Zaman, alayhis-salam.

            Imam 'Ali(A.S) was very kind to children, espeacially to orphans. If he eyer saw an orphan crying, he would stop whatever he was doing, bend down, give the child his salam, wipe away the child's tears, put his hand on the child's shoulder and say, "My child, why are you crying? Has someone hurt you? Come, let me take you to my house."
            'Ali (A.S) would take the child home and treat him better then any father. He would bring the child sweets and cakes and honey, and put them in the child's mouth himself.
            Imam 'Ali used to tell his followers to love and be kind to orphans, especially the orphans of martyrs killed in the path of Allah. "They have lost their loving fathers, "he used to say. "So cheer them up and look after them just like a father.
            "Their fathers were martyred in jihad and for the sake of Islam, and they have rights on you. Make their souls pleased with you be cheering up their children and looking after them."
            Imam 'Ali was always attentive to orphans, especially to those of the martyrs. He used to visit them and sit and chat and play with them. He used to take care of their education and training. He would strive to solve their difficulties andalways offered them guidance and advice. He would bring them gifts and, if they were poor, he would respectfully provide their expenses.
            Imam Ali(A.S) was so kind to orphans and laid so much stress on them in his teachings that one of his companions said: "How I wish that I too was a young orphan so that I would receive such kindness and love from Imam 'Ali (A.S),"
* Love and be kind to children, especially orphans.*

            Imam Hasan, 'alayhis-salam, was a friend of the poor and was kind to them. One day, he was going along the road when he saw some poor people sitting ont he ground eating their food. Their food was a few pieces of dry bread.
            When they saw him they called him saying, "Come on! Join us, eat with us! Don't be shy!"
            Imam Hasan dismounted from his horse and sat down to eat with them on the ground.
            "O brothers, "he said after a while, "I accepted your invitation. Now I beg you to be my guests and come to my house."
            They accepted his invitation and Imam Hasan were to his house. "I have very important guests," he told his household. "Provide them with the best food."
            The guests came to his house and Imam Hasan catered for them with great respect and they became very happy.
            Imam Hasan was very kind to the poor. He used to help them, and several times during his life he gave to the poor half of all his possessions.

* Imam Hasan was a friend to the poor and very kind to them.*

            One day Imam Hasan, 'alayhis-salam, was busy eating when a dog came and stood in front of him, gazing at him. Imam Hasan put a mouthful of food in his own mouth and then threw some in front of the dog. The dog ate it, wagged his tail in thanks, barked and again lifted its head to gaze at Imam Hasan.
            Imam Hasan threw another mouthful of food in front of the dog. A man who was passing by came forward and said, "It's not right that this dog stands in front of you and stops you from eating in peace. With your permission I will beat it and drive it away."
            "No, no, don't do that," Imam Hasan told him. "Allah has created this animal and Allah loves it. It is hungry and I am ashamed before Allah to eat His food and His blessings and not give anything to this creature that is His creation. After all, it is hungry and is looking at me."

            He helps his sister, Mahin, who is in class one to learn her lessons well. In his spare time, he helps his classmates to prepare for their Lessons.
            Ahmad is kind and gentle with all the children. His heart wants all of them to learn their lessons well. If one of his friends finds himself in need of a pen or paper, Ahmad gives it to him.
            Because Ahmad is a kind boy who does beautiful deeds, everyone likes him, and he is valued and respected by all. Above all, Allah also loves him and will give him a beautiful reward. Allah loves those who do beautiful deeds, and in the Quran he tells us:
* Allah loves those who do beautiful deeds.*

            Hamid is an extremely good boy. He doesn't trouble anyone. He doesn't annoy any of the peopils in his school. He doesn't throw stones at people's doors and windows. He doesn't draw pictures on doors and walls or write on them.
            Hamid knows that to trouble people is bad and sinful. He knows that to cause someone distress is a sin, and until it is compensated and the victim becomes content. Allah won't forgive it. When Hamid is playing he is careful not to trouble his neighbours, and not to make them unhappy with a lot of noise, nor disturb their leisure and sleep. Hamid knows that Allah doesn't like those who trouble their neighbours. Since Hamid is such a thougtful boy who doesn't trouble anyone likes him, and Allah also loves him.
            The Holy Prophet Muhammad(S.A) tells us:
"A person who troubles his neighbours will not go to Paradise."