A Revision of the Semantic Probabilitiesof the Tradition of“Only an Imam Abolishes the Imam”

The Wāqifite sect believed that only the next Imam is authorized to abolish the previous Imam by using some traditions and considered that as evidence of Imamate and through this way propounded some doubts in the Imamate of Imam Riḍā since he didn’t participate in his father’s funeral abolishment. This tradition became a rule in the doctrine of Imamate and in addition to the Imamate of Imam Riḍā, could make some challenges on the Imamate of Imam Jawad, as he also was not present in his father abolishment. Thus, the study of these traditions is of significance. Of the most important steps in the study of these traditions is their meaning. So, this article tries to survey the various semantic probabilities that could be deduced from this rule. The best meaning of these traditions according to the literal and historical indications and a general survey of all the sources of these traditions is discussed in the paper.