Do Shiites differentiate between Allah and Imams?

Like all other schools, Shiite school has been encountering extremist groups that are called by different names such as ghulāt (exaggerators), muqassera and nawasib and which have, in the course of history, created difficulties for Shiites and their Imams.

Shiite Imams made continuous efforts to protect Shiites from the dangers posed by these deviant currents. By clarifying their position and recommending moderation in all affairs and by repelling corrupt agents and exposing their true personality and their real purposes they tried to consolidate original Shiite beliefs among Muslims especially their followers.

While demonstrating miraculous acts and some distinct traits for Imams, Shiite scholars excommunicated the ghulāt and explained the mistakes in their extremist ideas.