A CRITICAL STUDY OF QURANIC COMMENTATORS’ OPINIONS OF VERSES ABOUT PROPHET IBRAHIM’S IMAMATE (AS); AN INNOVATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Islamic commentators have long disagreed on the concept of imamate through history. The most important proofs are definitely the verses of the Quran. Among these, an important verse that refers to Imamate is verse 124 of Surah Al-Baqarah. In this study, after examining the lexical and idiomatic meaning of the word Imam, we will explain the uses of Imamate in the Quran and finally, expresses the views of both Shia and Sunni commentators about Imamate. Most Sunni commentators consider prophecy and Imamate equal, and most Shiite commentators consider the position of Imamate beyond prophecy. According to verse 124 of Surah Al-Baghara, Sunni commentators are divided into four groups: a) Some have not specified the meaning of the word Imamate, b) in addition to lack of providing meaning, others have dealt with issues such the conditions of choosing the Imam, c) another group only express the lexical root and literal meaning, d) and most Sunni commentators believe that the meaning of “Imam” is the same as prophecy. Shiite commentators have also expressed three views in interpreting the meaning and concept of Imamate: a) Some believe Imamate is the same as leadership, b) Some consider Imamate as the leadership of the prophets over each other, c) And some consider Imamate as an esoteric guidance. In an innovative view presented in this article, it is emphasized that according to the last verse of Surah Al-Kahf, the Imamate of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is not scientific, rather “practical”.