Imams mentioned in the Quran

Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

salaam u aleykem. i am very curios to know if there is a verse regarding imamat in the quran. i would also like to know if and where imam ali proclaimed himself to be the first imam 

 

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Answer:

 

Imam mentioned in Quran

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol,  no person,  no grave, no prophet,  no imam,  no dai,  nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Your question: i am very curios to know if there is a verse regarding imamat in the quran.

There are several verses in the Glorious Quran,  where Allah Subhanah has used the term ‘imam’.   The word ‘imam’ in the Arabic language can be used to mean several things, depending on the context of the verse.   It may mean a leader in religion, the leader of congregational prayer,  a model,  a pattern or example,  a book of guidance and instructions,  a book of evidence or records,  or even a highway!   It all depends on how the term has been used.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 124:

124    And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands which he fulfilled;  He said: "I will make thee an Imam (leader) to the nations."  He pleaded: "And also (Imams) from my offspring!"   He answered: "But my promise is not within the reach of evil-doers."

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 11 Surah Hud verse 17:

17      Can they be (like) those who accept a Clear (Sign) from their Lord,  and whom a witness from Himself doth teach as did the Book of Moses before it,  an Imam (Book of guidance)  and a mercy?  They believe therein;  but those of the Sects that reject it,  the Fire will be their promised meeting place.  Be not then in doubt thereon:  for it is the Truth from thy Lord: yet many among men do not believe!

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 15 Surah Hijr verse 79:

78      And the Companions of the Wood were also wrongdoers;

79      So We exacted retribution from them.  They were both on an open Imam (highway)  plain to see.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verse 17:

71      One day We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imams (leaders):  those who are given their record in their right hand will read it (with pleasure) and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 36 Surah Ya Seen verse 12:

12   Verily We shall give life to the dead,  and We record that which they sent before and that which they leave behind;  and of all things have We taken account in a clear Imam (Book of Records or evidence).

 

Thus, the term ‘imam’ has been used several times in the Holy Quran, and the meaning of the word can easily be understood clearly in the context in which it has been used.

 

Your question: i would also like to know if and where imam ali proclaimed himself to be the first imam 

The only ‘imams’ or leaders that come to mankind and proclaim that they have been appointed the ‘imams’ are the Prophets of Allah.    No one else has the right to come to mankind and declare that they have been appointed the ‘imams’.    The Messengers of Allah Subhanah are the only people who have the right to come to mankind and proclaim and declare that they have been appointed as Allah’s Messengers and leaders of the believers.   They invite people to believe and worship Allah Alone, and follow them in the deen.

 

All the other ‘imams’ or leaders are chosen or appointed by man himself.   Ameer-ul-Mumineen,  Hadrat Ali ibn Abi Taalib (r.a.) was chosen by the believers in Medina on 21-Dhul Hajjah in the year 35 Hijri  as their ‘imam’ or leader,  after the murder of the third Khalifa,  Uthmaan ibn Affan (r.a.).  At first,  Hadrat Ali (r.a.) declined to take on the leadership of the believers,  but when the believers insisted,  and in the general well-being of the Ummah,  the noble companion of the Messenger of Allah (saws),  Hadrat Ali (r.a.),  accepted the leadership.  

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

 

Your Brother in Islam,

 

 

Burhan

 

 
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