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# The Stages of Human Life in the Qur’an
## The Third Stage: Imamate (Leadership)
This stage is distinct and different from the two previous stages. In it, the mission of the prophets becomes the **leadership (imamate) of the movement of monotheism (tawḥīd)**. When studying the period preceding this stage—that is, the period before Abraham (peace be upon him)—the Qur’an does not provide evidence of a structured leadership or imamate guiding the movement of monotheism in history.
> **“And [remember] when Abraham was tested by his Lord with certain words and he fulfilled them. He said: ‘Indeed, I will make you an Imam for the people.’ Abraham said: ‘And from my descendants?’ He said: ‘My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.’”**
> (Al‑Baqarah 2:124)
This stage is therefore distinct from the previous two stages. In it, the role of the prophets is to lead the movement of monotheism. When examining the earlier stage—the period before Abraham (peace be upon him)—we do not find in the Qur’an clear evidence of an organized leadership guiding the monotheistic movement in the historical struggle between truth and falsehood, as we see in the eras of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and the Messenger of God (peace be upon them all).
From this point in history onward, the prophets assume **direct leadership of the movement of monotheism**—a practical and dynamic leadership in the fullest sense of the term. They confront the forces of polytheism, and monotheism and polytheism transform from merely opposing beliefs, understandings, and attitudes into **organized movements**.
Within each movement, relationships take on an **organic and structured form**, as is necessary for any active movement.
Thus:
– The **prophets become imams and leaders** of the movement of monotheism.
– The **tyrants (ṭawāghīt)** likewise become leaders and imams guiding the movement of polytheism.
This represents a completely new stage in the history of the struggle between **monotheism and polytheism**, and between **truth and falsehood**.
A full study of this stage—and of the stages preceding it—and distinguishing them from one another would require collecting numerous textual indicators and evidences from the Book of God, as well as examining the nature of the confrontation between truth and falsehood. Such an undertaking cannot be completed in this brief discussion.
It is sufficient here that we have outlined, in this quick overview, the initial features for studying the history of civilization and its stages as presented by the Qur’an. And God knows best what He has revealed in His Book of guidance and light.
In this division of the stages of history, it must be emphasized once again that this classification does **not** mean that the role of the **Covenant (mīthāq)** ended when the stage of **Testimony (shahādah)** began, or that the stage of testimony ended when the stage of **Imamate** began.
Rather:
– The **innate covenant** continues to exist in human life to the present day.
– The **principle of testimony** likewise continues until today.
What occurred in human history is that **testimony** was added to human civilization beginning from the era of **Noah (peace be upon him)**, and **imamate** was added to the movement of the prophets and to human civilization beginning from the era of **Abraham (peace be upon him)**.
However, the covenant and testimony did not lose their value or role in human life during the later stages.
