The subject of Imamat counts among the biggest conflicts between the two major sects of Islam. And related to this discussion is the all-important question – where is the Imam mentioned in the Holy Quran?
Reply
The Holy Quran has repeatedly referenced the Imam as a guide, which is a sufficient sign for those with intellects.
In fact, the Holy Quran has gone as far as describing the Imam in clear terms like ‘Al-Imam al-Mobeen’ as this verse indicates:
وَكُلَّ شَيْءٍ أحْصَيْنَاهُ فِي إِمَامٍ مُبِينٍ
‘…and we have recorded everything in the Imamin Mobeenin’ (Surah Yaseen (36): 12)
Who is ‘Al-Imam al-Mobeen’?
The following report settles this question once and for all.
Shaikh Sadooq (r.a.) through his chain of narrators has narrated from Imam Ali (a.s.) that when the glorious verse of ‘…and we have recorded everything in the ImaminMobeenin’ (Surah Yaseen (36): 12)’ was revealed:
Abu Bakr and Umar rose and asked the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.): O Messenger of Allah, does ‘ImaminMobeenin’ refer to the Torah?
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) replied: No
They asked again: Does it refer to the Bible?
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) replied: No
They asked again: Does it refer to the Glorious Quran?
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) replied: No
At the time I (Ali a.s.) entered the mosque and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed:
He is the leader in whom Allah the Almighty, has accumulated the knowledge of all things.
Maanial-Akhbaarp 95
Tafseer al-Safi v 4 p 247
Tafseer al-Burhan v 4 p 569
Majma al-Bayaan under Surah Yaseen (36): 12
Madinah al-Maajiz v 2 p 127