Monotheism and leadership (Imamate) in the tradition of Slisilat al-Zahab (golden chain)

The tradition of Silsilat al-Zahab has been quoted from Imam al-Reza who uttered this tradition during his historic entrance into Neyshaboor in 200 A.H. This tradition signifies the intimate relationship between the two fundamental doctrines of monotheism and Imamate. Shiite and Sunnite resources of traditions have quoted this tradition by different chains of transmitters. With a descriptive-analytic approach, the present article has aimed to examine both Shiite and Sunnite view on this tradition, explain its monotheism-centric function and the intimate relation of monotheism and Imamate.