There is an authentic tradition in Maniul Akhbar that Imam Sadiq (a.

There is an authentic tradition in Maniul Akhbar that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) was asked by some people about ‘Sirat’. He replied that it is the way of Allah and His Ma’refat (recognition) and there are two ‘Sirats’—‘Sirat’ of this world and the ‘Sirat’ of the hereafter. The Imam is Sirat of this world is that whose following is incumbent, for one who recognizes him and follows his guidance.

Then he will pass over this Sirat in the Hereafter which is bridge over Hell, and one who does not recognize him in the world, his foot would stumble and he would fall into Hell fire. Also according to a good chain of narrators Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said in the explanation of this verse: اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ. Keep us on the right path.

(Surah Fatiha 1:5) That ‘the Right Path’ is Ali (a.s.) and the proof of his recognition is that the Almighty Allah says: وَإِنَّهُ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ لَدَيْنَا لَعَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ. And surely it is in the original of the Book with Us, truly elevated, full of wisdom. (Surah Zukhruf 43:4) That Ali (a.s.) is the ‘original of the book’ (mother of the book), which is the chapter of ‘The Opening’ (Al-Hamd) whose verse: Keep us on the right path… mentions him and ‘Siratul Mustaqeem’ is Ali.

He is the knower of the laws and the learned one of divine realities. The commentators have referred the pronoun to Quran and considered ‘original of the book’ (Ummul Kitab) to be the Protected Tablet (Lauhe Mahfuz), which is with us, which has a esteemed position and stability, or which is to show the wisdom. On the basis of this whatever we have derived earlier that Ali (a.s.) is the ‘speaking book of Allah’ can be matched with the apparent meaning of the verse also.

Also it is narrated from Imam Zainul Aabedeen (a.s.) that the Imam of the time is between Allah and his hujjat (proof), there is no veil or curtain between them. We are doors of divine knowledge, and we are the Straight Path and we are the treasure chest of the Allah’s knowledge and we the informants of divine revelation and we are the pillars of the oneness of Allah (monotheism) and we are the repositories of divine secrets.

Also according to authentic sources Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said in the explanation of: The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favors. (Surah Fatiha 1:7) The Imam said that it means Muhammad (S) and his progeny.

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