Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Part 33

Verses that mention Imam or Ummah; Their interpretation

First verse:

وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنْ الْمُنْكَرِ وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ الْمُفْلِحُونَ.

And among from you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong, and those it is that shall be successful. 3:104

Shaykh Tabarsi has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that he used to recite this verse in this way:

And among from you there should be Imams…

It means that there should be an Imam and leader amongst you, having these qualities.[68]

Second verse:

كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنْ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلَوْ آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ مِنْهُمْ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ…

You are the best of the nations raised up for (the benefit of) man, you enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and believe in Allah, and if the followers of the book had believed it would have been better for them, of them (some) are believers. 3:110

Ali Ibne Ibrahim from good-like chain of narrators has narrated from Ibne Sinan that: I recited this verse before Imam Sadiq (a.s.), and the Hazrat said: Is this nation the best amongst all nations? One which has martyred Amirul Momineen (a.s.), Imam Hasan and Imam Husain (a.s.)? I said: May I be sacrificed for you, then how was this verse revealed? The Imam replied: You are the best of Imams, who were created for the guidance of the people. Then he said: Don’t you see that after this Allah has praised them with qualities that are the qualities of the Imams?

Ayyashi has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that this verse was revealed in praise of Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and his vicegerents.

In another authentic tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) in the explanation of this verse it is mentioned that it is the nation on which the prayer of Ibrahim became incumbent, as the Almighty Allah says:

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنْ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ. رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُسْلِمَةً لَكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ. رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمْ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ.

And when Ibrahim and Ismail raised the foundations of the house: Our Lord! Accept from us, surely thou art the hearing the knowing, Our Lord and make us both submissive to thee and (raise) from our offspring a nation submitting to thee and show our ways of devotion and turn to us (mercifully), surely thou art the oft returning (to mercy), the merciful. Our Lord and raise up in them an Apostle from among them who shall recite to them thy communications and teach them the book and the wisdom, and purify them, surely thou art the mighty, the wise. 2:127-129

When Allah accepted the supplication of Ibrahim and Ismail and appointed Imams from his progeny who will be obedient and from that nation and appointed a Prophet who will read the verses of Allah and teach the book and wisdom. After that Ibrahim recited another prayer that keep that progeny away from polytheism and idol-worship and protect them from all these things, so that Imamate can be from them, and that people may follow them, and then said:

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا وَاجْنُبْنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَنْ نَعْبُدَ الْأَصْنَامَ. رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِنْ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ.

And when Ibrahim said: My Lord! Make this city secure and save me and my sons from worshipping idols. My Lord! Surely they have led many men astray, then whoever follows me, he is surely of me, and whoever disobeys me, Thou surely art forgiving Merciful. 14:36

The Imam said that Imams and the nation can be only those from whom the Prophet has been raised and they will be from the progeny of Ibrahim. That is why the ‘medium nation’ and the ‘best nation’ are the Aale Muhammad from whom the Prophet was raised and the Almighty Allah has turned the hearts of the people towards them and that is the aim of the prayer of Ibrahim:

فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِنْ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ.

…therefore make the hearts of some people yearn towards them… 14:37

Ibne Shahr Aashob has narrated from Imam Baqir (a.s.) that he said: The ‘best nation’ are Ahle Bayt of the Prophet and according to another tradition the Ahle Bayt of the Prophet are better than all Ahle Bayt who are created for guiding the people.

Also, it is narrated that Imam Baqir (a.s.) recited the verse in this way:You are the best nation… and said that Jibraeel had brought in this way and it refers to Muhammad, Ali and the vicegerents from their progeny.[69]

Third verse:

وَإِنَّ هَذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاتَّقُونِ.

And surely this your nation is one nation and I am your Lord, therefore be careful (of your duty) to Me. 23:52

Most commentators have said that ‘nation’ refers to community. Ibne Mahyar and Ibne Shahr Aashob have narrated from Imam Baqir (a.s.) that ‘nation’ refers to Aale Muhammad (a.s.).

Fourth verse:

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ.

And we made of them Imams to guide by our command when they were patient and they were certain of our communications. 32:24

At another place after the mention of Firon and his army Allah says:

وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لَا يُنصَرُونَ. وَأَتْبَعْنَاهُمْ فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ هُمْ مِنْ الْمَقْبُوحِينَ.

And we made them Imams who call to the fire and on the day of Qiyamat they shall not be assisted. And we caused a curse to follow them in this world, and on the day of Qiyamat they shall be of those made to appear hideous. 28:41-42

Ali Ibne Ibrahim, Kulaini, Saffar, Ibne Mahyar and others with many chains of narrators have narrated from Imam Sadiq and Baqir (a.s.) that there are two types of Imams according to the book of Allah, because Allah has said:

And we made of them Imams to guide by our command... 32:24

That is they guide people according to Allah’s command and not according the wish and will of the people and they give preference to the commands of Allah rather than their own. At another place He says:

And we made them Imams who call to the fire…

It means the leaders of disbelief and deviation who prefer their own opinion to that of Allah and give judgements according to their whims and fancies against the orders of Allah.

InBasairud Darajat there is a tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that the world was never devoid of a good Imam and a bad Imam. The good character Imam is the one who is mentioned in the first verse and the bad character Imam is one who is mentioned in the second verse.

In another tradition he says: Only a just Imam reforms the people and not an unjust Imam. After that Imam (a.s.) recited both the verses.

It is narrated from Amirul Momineen (a.s.) that: From the Quraysh are good character Imams for the good people and of them are bad Imams for the evil people, then Imam read the second verse.

Furat Ibne Ibrahim and Ibne Mahyar relate from Imam Baqir (a.s.) on the explanation of the verse:

And we made of them Imams to guide by our command... 32:24

That this verse was revealed for the Imams from the progeny of Fatima and it is especially for them because they guide people according to the commands of Allah.

Ibne Mahyar has narrated from the same Imam that this verse was revealed for the Imams of the progeny of Fatima and the Holy Spirit (Ruhul Qudus) brings divine revelation in their hearts.[70]

Fifth verse:

وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ.

In this way we have made you the medium nation so that you be witness for the people. 2:143

There are many traditions narrated by Pure Imams (a.s.) that we are the medium nation and we are witness for the creatures of Allah and His proof on the earth.

Sixth verse:

وَكُلَّ شَيْءٍ أحْصَيْنَاهُ فِي إِمَامٍ مُبِينٍ.

…and We have recorded everything in a manifest Imam. 36:12

Most commentators have said that the ‘manifest Imam’ refers to the Protected Tablet (Lauh-e-Mahfuz), but in many traditions related by the Holy Imams (a.s.) it is mentioned the Manifest Imam refers to Amirul Momineen (a.s.). The Almighty Allah has gathered the knowledge of all the things in his person.

InManiul Akhbar there is a tradition from Imam Baqir (a.s.) that when this verse was revealed on the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), Abu Bakr and Umar were standing near by and asked whether the manifest Imam refers to Taurat. He replied in the negative. Then they asked whether it is Injeel and he replied in negative. Again they asked that it must be the Quran. He replied: No. At that Ali (a.s.) entered. The Prophet looked at him and pointed towards him and said: He is the manifest Imam, to him Allah has given the knowledge of all things.

There are many traditions on this topic, which will come in the life sketch of that Hazrat, Insha Allah.

Part 34

Regarding the fact that ‘Salam’ and ‘Islam’ denote the Holy Imams and their Shias

There are some verses on this topic:

First verse:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ.

O you who believe! Enter into submission one and all and do not follow the footsteps of Shaitan, surely he is your open enemy. 2:208

Ayyashi with many chains has related that submission refers to the Wilayat of Ali (a.s.) and after him the Wilayat of his vicegerents and accepting their Imamate and recognition (Ma’refat) and the ‘footsteps of Shaitan’ refers to the Wilayat of the unjust Caliphs.[71]

Second verse:

ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَاءُ مُتَشَاكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ.

Allah sets forth an example: There is a slave in whom are (several) partners differing with one another, and there is another slave wholly owned by one man. Are the two alike in condition? (All) praise is due to Allah. Nay! Most of them do not know. 39:29

Most commentators have said that this example is for the polytheists and the monotheists. The polytheist is like a slave having many masters and all of them are opposed to each other. Each of them issues a different order and each puts the needs of the slave on the other person. This is the condition of a polytheist, if they had intellect and had understood worship, they would have realized all the work performed by them is useless. While the monotheist, who is the slave of only one Allah and worships only one Allah Who is generous, merciful and has all the powers, and Who has the powers to give profit and loss. Indeed this would be better than the one who worships many gods and none from them pays heed.

Kulaini inKafi andManiul Akhbar has narrated that Allah has mentioned this example for the enemies of Amirul Momineen (a.s.). There are two reason for this: The first reason is: ‘There is a slave in whom are (several) partners’ is the first unjust one, all of whose followers are following different ways, because their Imam is not on the right that is why there are different sects among them and: ‘slave wholly owned by one man’ are the followers of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) because their Imam is on the right. And his knowledge is from Allah, that is why all his followers are on one path.

The other reason is that the first one and people like him who apparently follow the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) but actually they follow Satan and their own misguidance. And the second one is Amirul Momineen (a.s.) who followed the Messenger of Allah in all the affairs. Thus Abul Qasim Haskani has narrated that Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said: I am that man who with the Messenger of Allah in every matter. In another tradition he says that, ‘Muslim’ is one of my names in the Quran.

Third verse:

وَإِنْ جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ.

And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in Allah, surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing. 8:61

Commentators have said that this verse is has been abrogated by the verse of ‘killing’ or that it specially with regard to the People of the Book as Jizya can be accepted from them.

Kulaini has narrated through reliable chains from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that ‘Peace’ denotes entering our affair, that is accepting our Imamate.[72]

Part 35

The Imams are the appointed Caliphs of Allah; Allah wishes to establish them in the Earth and has promised them help

Some of these verses are revealed in praise of the Qaem Aale Muhammad and they are numerous.

First verse:

نَتْلُو عَلَيْكَ مِنْ نَبَإِ مُوسَى وَفِرْعَوْنَ بِالْحَقِّ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ. إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَائِفَةً مِنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيِ نِسَاءَهُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنْ الْمُفْسِدِينَ. وَنُرِيدُ أَنْ نَمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ الْوَارِثِينَ. وَنُمَكِّنَ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنُرِي فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا مِنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَحْذَرُونَ.

We recite to you from the account of Moosa and Firon with truth for people who believe. Surely Firon exalted himself in the Land and made its people into parties, weakening one party from among them, he slaughtered their sons and let their women live, surely he was one of the mischief-makers. And we desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs. And to grant them power in the land, and to make Firon and Haman and their hosts see from them what they feared. 28:3-6

Ali Ibne Ibrahim says that Allah informed His Prophet, about the situation of Moosa and his followers and what befell them by Firon’s killings, injustice and tyranny, so that it may bring comfort to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) on the misfortunes of the killings and imprisonments that were to befall the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Then after giving assurance, He gave glad tidings that after bearing those atrocities Allah would bestow His favor upon them and make them His caliph on the earth and make them the Imam and the leader so that they can take revenge in the Second Coming (Raja’t). That is why He said:

And we desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs. And to grant them power in the land, and to make Firon and Haman and their hosts see from them what they feared. 28:5-6

It is the metaphor of those who usurped the rights of Muhammad and Aale Muhammad. That is the first and the second caliph and their followers. The pronoun of ‘From them’ refers to Aale Muhammad (a.s.). ‘What they feared’ means from whom they were afraid—like killing and calamities. If it had meant the overpowering of Firon by Moosa then what was the purpose of singular pronoun, it would have been plural. That is why Moosa and Firon are mentioned as examples. It means in the way Firon did much injustice on Moosa and his companions for a long period, at last we gave victory to Moosa and destroyed them all, in the same way, different kinds of injustices, will be committed by the Firon of this nation on the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) but in the end We would bring them in this world again along with their enemies, so that they take revenge from them. Indeed, Ali (a.s.) has pointed towards this in some of his sermons. He says:

O people! The first person to revolted against Allah on the earth was Unaq, the daughter of Adam. The Almighty Allah had given her twenty fingers. Each finger had two long nails like sickles, that are used to cut crops. When she sat she used to cover sixty yards of land. When she revolted against Allah, became an unbeliever and committed injustice on the people, Allah raised a lion as big as an elephant, a Wolf as big a camel and a vulture as big as a donkey to kill her. These animals were so huge since the very beginning. The Almighty Allah made those animals attack her till she was killed. Allah killed Firon and Haman that is the first and the second (caliph) and buried alive Qaroon, it means the third one.

After this Ali (a.s.) in this manner complained about those people that they usurped his rights and said that their repentance is not accepted and they suffer the chastisement of Allah in Barzakh (grave/or intervening period between death and resurrection), till they go to Hell.

How similar is this example of Moosa with Qaem Aale Muhammad (a.s.) who was born in secrecy and was always fearful of the Firon and his followers and was hiding from them. Till he appeared and overpowered them and Imam Qaem Aale Muhammad’s reappearance would also be like this. Insha Allah.

InManiul Akhbar there is a tradition from Mufazzal that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said: One day the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) saw Ali and Imam Hasan and Husain (a.s.) and started weeping and said that after me you would be made weak. Mufazzal asked: What did the Prophet meant by it? Imam Sadiq (a.s.) replied: That is, you would be the Imam after me as Allah Almighty has said:

And we desired to bestow a favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams…

Thus Allah promised the weak that He would make them Imam and till the day of Qiyamat this verse is effective for we, Ahle Bayt and there would be Imams from us in every era.

Also there is a tradition from Amirul Momineen (a.s.) that he said that this verse is in our praise.

Ibne Mahyar, Shaykh Tabarsi and others have narrated from the same Hazrat that he said: By Allah, Who split the seed and created the tree and created the creatures, indeed this treacherous world would bend towards us and be kind, after silence, in the same way as the malicious biting she-camel is kind to its young ones. After that the Imam recited this verse.

Ayyashi has narrated that one day Imam Baqir (a.s.) saw Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and said by Allah he is also from them about whom Allah has mentioned in this verse. Then he recited that verse.

Also there is a tradition from Imam Zainul Aabedeen (a.s.) that he said: By Allah Who sent Muhammad with truth, the good character are we and our Shias just like Moosa (a.s.) and his Shias were of good character. And our enemies and their followers are like Firon and his followers.

Furat Ibne Ibrahim has narrated from Nuwair Ibne Abi Fakhta that Imam Zainul Aabedeen (a.s.) said: Read the Quran. I recited Surah Taa-seen-meem and when I reached:‘and to make them the heirs 28:5.’ The Imam said: Wait, by Allah Who sent Muhammad, the good ones are from us, Ahlul Bayt and our Shias are like Moosa and his Shias.

Ali Ibne Ibrahim and other traditionists have narrated from Minhal Ibne Amr that after the martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s.), Imam Zainul Aabedeen (a.s.) was asked about his condition. He replied: I am among my people like Bani Israel in among the people of Firon because our men were martyred and our women were made prisoners.

Verses revealed in praise of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) are supported with numerous traditions and they shall come in the account of Imam Qaem (a.s.), Insha Allah. And the interpretations of the verses are very much clear, as mentioned by us in earlier chapters.

Second verse:

وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنْ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ الظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَاجْعَل لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا وَاجْعَل لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا وَاجْعَل لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ نَصِيرًا.

And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, (of) those who say: Our Lord! Cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from thee a guardian and give us from thee a helper. 4:75

Most commentators have said that it refers to that weak community which due to their acceptance Islam was trapped among the unbelievers of Mecca who inflicted injustice upon them while they were unable to migrate. The Almighty Allah encouraged the Muslims to fight against the unbelievers so that they can be saved from their injustice.

Ayyashi has narrated from Imam Baqir and Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that this verse was revealed in praise of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) who were made weak by the tyrants of this nation and there was no helper for them. The Almighty Allah commanded the Muslims that they should strive and fight in His away and help them against the enemies. That is why the interpretation fits these noble personages. On the basis of this interpretation ‘town’ means Medina, that is why Ali (a.s.) migrated from there to Kufa and the people of Kufa did not help him. Or it can be said this is the hidden interpretation of the verse and it is not against its apparent meaning.

Third verse:

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمْ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَنْ كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ الْفَاسِقُونَ.

Allah has promised to those of you who believe and do good that he will most certainly make them rulers in the earth as He made rulers those before them, and that He will mot certainly establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will most certainly establish for them and that he will most certainly, after their fear, give them security in exchange, they shall serve Me, not associating aught with Me, and whoever is ungrateful after this, these it is who are the transgressors. 24:55

Kulaini and other commentators has narrated with reliable chains from Imam Baqir and Sadiq (a.s.) that this blessed verse is specially for the Imams and those vested with authority whom Allah has promised after the Prophet and given them glad tidings and appointed them His vicegerents for His knowledge and religion, as He has made appointed vicegerents of Adam (a.s.) after him.

Ali Ibne Ibrahim has narrated that this verse was revealed in praise of Qaem Aale Muhammad (a.s.). Ayyashi and others have narrated from Imam Ali Ibne Husain (a.s.) that confidence, comfort, safety and security will be for our Shias in the time of Mahdi and he is the one who about whom the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said: Even if a solitary day remains from this world, the Almighty Allah would prolong it so much that a person from my progeny comes to be the ruler, whose name would be my name and he would fill the earth with justice and equity just as it had been filled with injustice and oppression.

Furat Ibne Ibrahim with many chains of narrators has related that this verse was revealed in praise of Aale Muhammad (a.s.). And in many Ziarats and supplications it is mentioned that these verses were revealed in praise of Imam Qaem Aale Muhammad (a.s.). We shall discuss all such traditions here. Insha Allah.

Fourth verse:

الَّذِينَ إِنْ مَكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوْا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنْ الْمُنْكَرِ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ. وَإِنْ يُكَذِّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَعَادٌ وَثَمُودُ. وَقَوْمُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَقَوْمُ لُوطٍ. وَأَصْحَابُ مَدْيَنَ وَكُذِّبَ مُوسَى فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ.

Those who, should We establish them in the land, will keep up prayer and pay the poor rate and enjoin good and forbid evil and Allah’s is the end of affairs. And if they reject you, then already before you did the people of Nuh and Adam and Thamud reject (Prophets). And the people of Ibrahim and the people of Lut. As well as those of Madayan and Moosa (too) were rejected, but I gave respite to the unbelievers, then did I overtake them, so how (serve) was my disapproval. 22:41-44

Ibne Shahr Aashob, Ibne Mahyar and Furat and others with many chains of narrators have narrated from Imam Baqir and Sadiq (a.s.) that we are those persons, about whom Allah has mentioned in this verse.

Also Ibne Mahyar has narrated from Moosa Ibne Ja’far (a.s.) that he said that one day I was present with my respected father in the mosque, suddenly a person came to him and said: O son of the Messenger of Allah, it is difficult for me to understand this verse of Quran. I should asked Jabir Johfi, but he told me to inquire it from you. The Imam asked: Which verse is it? He said: Those who, should We establish them in the land...till the end. Imam said: It was revealed in our praise and its reason is that some from the companions came to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and asked: O Messenger of Allah! Who would succeed to this divine affair of rulership and caliphate, after you? By Allah if any person will be from your Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), then we feel that our life is in danger and if some other person is there, then may be he would be more generous and be nearer to us. After hearing this the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) became very angry and said: By Allah! Whomsoever He will make the Caliph, he certainly would establish Prayer on the earth and distribute Zakat to the needy people and certainly enjoin towards good and forbid evil. Indeed Allah would degrade and humiliate those who keep enmity with my Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) and my progeny. At this time the Almighty Allah revealed this verse:

وَإِنْ يُكَذِّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ.

And if they call you a liar, so did those before them indeed call (their apostles) liars… 35:25

Ibne Mahyar has narrated from Imam Baqir (a.s.) that the first verse was revealed in the praise of Qaem Aale Muhammad (a.s.) whom the Almighty Allah would bestow the kingdom from the east to the west and through him manifest the right religion and through his companions destroy and remove the wrong innovations just as the ignorant and unjust people would have removed and destroyed the truth. He would do such that there remains no sign or effect of injustice. He would enjoin good and forbid evil and the return of every affair is Allah.

Fifth verse:

أَفَمَنْ وَعَدْنَاهُ وَعْدًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ لَاقِيهِ كَمَنْ مَتَّعْنَاهُ مَتَاعَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ هُوَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ الْمُحْضَرِينَ.

Is he to whom We have promised a goodly promise which he shall meet with like him whom we have provided with the provision of this world’s life, then on the day of Qiyamat he shall be of those who are brought up? 28:61

Ibne Mahyar has narrated that this verse was revealed in the praise of Amirul Momineen (a.s.) and Hamza (a.r.) and Dailami has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that the promise is made to Ali Ibne Abi Talib. Allah has promised Paradise for him and his friends and those who bear the chastisement shall be the enemies of the Hazrat who have usurped his right in the world and assumed rulership without having any right to it. The Almighty Allah has given them respite in the world.

Sixth verse:

سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ.

We will soon show them Our signs in the Universe and in their own souls, until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth. 41:53

Ibne Mahyar has narrated from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) that to show in the ‘universe’ means that the earth would be made small for the wrong-doers in the period of Imam Qaem (a.s.) and to show their selves means that some of the opponents would be transformed into animals so that it becomes clear to them that He is the true Qaem Aale Muhammad and the truth is with him.