In Arabic, the word “imam” means “a thing which is followed” or “a guide.” This guide which is followed can be a person, place, or thing. For example, in the Quran, the word “imam” is used to refer to a leader (who is followed), a road (which is followed), and a book (which is followed). In verses 11:17 and 46:12, the word “imam” is used to refer to the book of Musa which is followed by the believers. Allah says in the Quran:
Quran, 11:17: “…And before it was the book (imam) of Musa, a guide and a mercy…”
Quran, 46:12: “And before this (Quran), there was the book (imam) of Musa, an example and a mercy; and this (Quran) is a confirming book in the Arabic language, that it may warn those who do wrong and bring good tidings for the righteous.”
The unbiased observor is forced to come to the conclusion that these two verses refer a book that is a guide, not to a person that is a guide. There is no possible way that the Shia could claim otherwise, since their own Tafseer confirms this fact.
- Ahlus Sunnah Tafseer of Verses 11:17 and 46:12
With respect to the first Ayah (11:17), Ibn Kathir’s position with respect to the usage of the word “imam” is:
“This means that Allah, the Exalted, revealed the book of Musa to that Ummah as a leader for them and a guide for them to follow, as a mercy from Allah upon them. Therefore, whoever believed in it with true faith, then it would lead him to believe in the Quran as well.” (Ibn Kathir)
The Tafseers of Tabari and al-Qurtubi give a similar viewpoint, that the “imam” being referred to in here is the Tawrah that was revealed to Moses, as it was a Guide for the Banu Israel.
With respect to the use of the word “imam” in Verse 46:12, at-Tabari in his Tafseer again puts forward the meaning by which the book of Musa is the guide for the Bani Israel. In the Al-Qurtubi Tafseer, virtually the same viewpoint is shown, although the additional point is made that it refers to only a part of the Tawrah, since there has been human manipulation of the original revelation.
- Shia Tafseer of Verses 11:17 and 46:12
The most well-known English Tafseer of the Shia would have to be the Pooya/M.A. Ali English Commentary, available on Al-Islam.org. In regards to Verse 46:12, this commentary declares:
“The last revealed book which was a code of life (shari-ah) was the book of Musa, Tawrat; the Quran confirms the law of Musa in Arabic language.”
(Source: Pooya/M.A. Ali English Commentary, http://www.al-islam.org/quran/)
In regards to Verse 11:17, the same Shia Tafseer refers to this as the book of Musa:
“The same testimony was borne by the book of Musa before.”
(Source: Pooya/M.A. Ali English Commentary, http://www.al-islam.org/quran/)
This position is held by all the major and classical Shia Tafseer. In Majma ul Bayan, Allamah Tabarsi presents the word “imam” in verses 11:17 and 46:12 to refer to the book of Musa being followed in the matters of religion. (Tafseer Majma ul Bayan, Volume 5, p.255) Allamah Tusi confirms this in Tafseer Tibbyan. (Tafseer Majma ul Bayan, Volume 9, p.143; Tafseer Tibbyan, Volume 9, p. 274)
Common sense and logic dictate that these two verses refer to the same thing as each other, and that this thing is an object, namely the book of Musa. The comparison is clearly made between some holy book in the past with the Quran. The Quran is the confirming book of that previous book which is referred to as “imam” since it is a guide.
If any Shia youth arguing over the internet attempt to use this verse to “prove” the doctrine of the Infallible Imamah, it only underscores the absence of this concept from the Quran and the subsequent desperation of the Shia who is forced to play around with various verses of the Quran to prove himself, using these verses in ways that none of his own Ayatollahs and Imams ever did.
The article was excerpted, with minor editions, from “Imaamah and the Quran: An Objective Perspective”, authored by Abu Salih. This book is endorsed by the Ahlel Bayt website and can be downloaded here.
