Imam the Fourth Cause of the Universe: An Analysis of Sheikieh's Theory on the Status of Imamate

In the question of the status of Imamate, the Shaykhism regards the Imam as the fourth cause of the universe as is evident from their reports; that is, they consider them as the efficient cause, material cause, formal cause, and the ultimate cause of the universe. Accordingly they believe that the Ahl al-Bayt (as) are the helper of God in creation. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether this view, is consistent with the Holy Qur'an and the teachings of the Imams? Does not it contradict rational and philosophical concepts? Basically, what is the position of the infallible Imams in the universe? Clarifying the answer, this paper first attempts to explain the meaning of the four causes of the Shaikhis by referring to their sources and reflecting their views, and finally, by falsifying this belief based on the rational and traditional proofs, it seeks to prove the non-independent and the authorized positions of the four causes from the First Cause.