Twelve-imam Shi'ism emphasizes above all else the exoteric (zahir), and the esoteric (batin), aspects of religion and in thisas in many other instances, joins Sufism in its point of view. The zahir cannot exist without the batin for then there would be nothing to manifest it and give it objective existence. And the batin could never become objectivized and revealed without the zahir. In this relation there lies the secret of the necessity for the existence of the Imam. A prophet in a religion brings a law from heaven to guide the lives of men. After him the revelation ceases and men are left with a law which corresponds to the exoteric aspect of the revelation. There then must come those who can interpret the inner meaning of the law and the esoteric content of the revelation.

Ideals and realities of Islam On page 165 Saturday, January 5, 2013 @ 4:45pm