Imamate in the Koran

Imamate as one of the religious principles of Islam is mentioned in the Koranic verses, the following verses of the Koran confirm this principle:
 

1. Today those who disbelieve despair about you religion, so do not dread them and (rather) dread Me. (today I have perfected your religion for you, and completed My favour towards you, and have consented to grant you [Islam] as a religion: a commitment to live in peace.) Anyone who is obliged to do so while (he is) starving, yet without deliberately sinning, [will find] God is forgiving Merciful. (5:3)
2. You who believe, any one of you who abandons his religion [will find] God will bring a people whom He will love just as they love Him, docile towards believers, stern against disbelievers, they will strive  for God’s sake and not fear reproach from any critic. Such is God’s bounty which He gives to anyone He wishes. God is Boundless, Aware. (5:55)
3. O Messenger, deliver whatever has been sent down to you by your Lord. If you do not do so, you will have conveyed His message. God will defend you from mankind; God does not guide disbelieving folk.