Contemplation on the Formulation of the Implications of the Verse " and those vested with authority" (al-Nisaʼ,4: 59) with Emphasis on the Contemporary Shi‛ī Qur anic Exegeses

The verse ‘and those vested with authority’ (al-NisaÞ,4: 59) is the most strategic verse in the Qur’Án that is open to thematic-ijtihÁdÐ interpretation in line with the expansion of the realm of politics of religion-based. There seem to be two approaches to the interpretation of the Qur’Án among the ShiÐ scholars and the Qur’anic exegeses. The
first exegesis which is of a longer background and domination, basing its argument on the application of the obedience to ‘those vested with authority’, holds the view that the obedience to those vested with authority is peculiar to the Infallible Imams. The other approach to which the article seeks to lend support considers the first view as an indication of historical contradiction between the ShiÐ and non- ShiÐ exegetes and speaks of the possibility of the generality of the verse and its application to the just religious authorities from the ShiÐ perspective. From this perspective the authentic traditions reveal the fact that the infallible Imams are the total and specific instances of the verse, and its general application to those who have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad and the Infallible Imams is not negated. Furthermore, in interpreting the verse 83 from Surat al-NisÁÞ which is compatible the verse 59 from the same Surah, most of the exegetes have not interpreted ‘those vested with authority’ as peculiar and excusive to the Infallible Imams whereas it is in correspondence with the verse 59 of Surat al-NisÁÞ. These arguments along with some other counterarguments which have appeared in this article can contribute to the strength of the second approach. It goes without saying that introducing non-infallible people as ‘those vested with authority’ is not taken to mean the application of obedience to the legal rule of non-infallibles.