فهرست مطالب seyyed hossein shafii darabi

In Shiite thought, the Imamate has a lofty and unique position, in such a way that Imam is considered as the axis and pole of the universe in the monotheistic system. Through the intermediary of the Imam, the creatures are subject to divine mercy and are guided to the truth. Considering the importance and high position of imamate in Islam, and the existence of various viewpoints in explaining its concept, this research was compiled to answer the question: What definition of “Imamate” do Sheikh Tusi and Allameh Tabatabai provide? The research method in this research is analytical-descriptive and the findings indicate that: Sheikh Tusi considers Imamate to be guidance and general leadership in the affairs of religion and the world. Allameh Tabatabai conveys Imamate to the desired and complete guidance. According to the views of both thinkers, citing verse 124 of Surah Al-Baqarah, Imamate is a status beyond Prophethood.

The blessed verse «یا ایها الذین آمنوا اتقوا الله و کونوا مع الصادقین» which is known as “Sadiqin Verse”, is considered one of the key verses in the discussion of Imamate and Wilayat. According to all the Shiite scholars, this honorable verse was revealed in honor and virtue of Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (AS) and the Infallible Imams. However, while acknowledging its revelation about Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (AS), Sunni scholars also offer other interpretations of it. Ibn Taymiyyah, one of the leading Sunni scholars, raised eleven doubts about the interpretation of this verse, four of which are related to the revelation of the verse. He considered one of these doubts to be Abu Bakr’s title “al-Siddiq” and claimed that the verse was revealed to Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (AS) in his honor and virtue. This bigoted Sunni scholar, also referring to the revelation of the verse in the honor of Ka‘b ibn Malik and the plural of the word “Sadiqin”, claims that this verse cannot have been revealed in the honor of Imam Ali (AS). This research investigates Ibn Taymiyyah’s doubts in the direction of denying the revelation of the Sadiqin verse about Imam Ali (AS) and answers them with a descriptive-analytical method. The findings of the research show that the suspicion of Abu Bakr’s sincerity and his superiority over Imam Ali (AS) is a claim without any valid evidence or document. Narrations related to Abu Bakr’s truthfulness are also fake and weak in terms of chain of transmission. On the other hand, several authentic narrations from Shia and Sunni sources introduce Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) as the true Siddiq.

The best reason for the existence of inner aspect, batn, for the Quranic verses would be a Quranic one. Based on this, some of the Quranic scholars have used some of the Quranic verses for the purpose. Although there may not be found any Quranic sentence denoting inner aspect for the Quran directly and explicitly, the verse: We have neglected nothing in the Book, 38 of An’am, and some other verses with regard to some grounds lead us to the fact that the Quranic teachings is not limited to those understood from the appearance directly. In this paper, having mentioned the views of some of Sunni and Shiite commentators, especially of Allameh Tabatabai, Javadi Amoli, and Mesbah Yazdi, it has been concluded that: the implication of the verse mentioned on the claim is unavoidable. Regardless of such a consideration, the overall meaning taken from the verse would be damaged, and the correctness of its apparent signification would become problematic and, such being the case, it should be justified;