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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Discussions Concerning al-Mahdi (May Allah Hasten His Return) The Qur’an and Messianism (Mahdawiyyat) Question: Which verse of the Noble Qur’an can be cited regarding the authority ( wilayat ) of the twelve Imams (peace be upon them) and the just government of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return) and the supremacy of Islam over the world?

Answer: The verses from whose purport it is understood that the twelve Imams—may Allah elevate their word—have authority and Imamah are many in number. Among them is the verse: إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مُنْذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ “You are but a warner, and every people has a guide.

”[^1] And the verse: لاَ يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ “My covenant reaches not the oppressors (and only that group of your descendants is worthy of this position who are pure and infallible).”[^2] and the verse: أَفَمَنْ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْحَقِّ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يَتْبَعَ “Thus is one who guides to the truth worthier of being followed?”[^3] These verses indicate this point since from them one understands that society is not without an Imam, the infallibility of the holder of the station of Imamah , and his being more knowledgeable than others, and this issue is among the exclusive convictional principles of the Shi‘a.

And from the verse: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ “O’ ye who have brought faith! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you (the trustees of the Prophet).”[^4] This doctrine of the Shi‘a—that the Imam and ruler must be infallible—is understood. This is because in this verse obedience to those in authority has been commanded in an absolute manner.

Obedience to the Prophet, which is in all affairs, has been expressed together with obedience to those in authority in one word—the imperative verb أطيعوا, “obey!” It is obvious that someone whom the believers have been ordered to obey absolutely in such a way must be infallible and far removed from errors and mistakes, and as it is undisputed that from among the Islamic sects only the Shi‘a believe in the infallibility of the Imam.

In addition to this, commentaries and reliable traditions also indicate that the intent of the noble verse “Obey Allah…” and other verses is the twelve Imams (peace be upon them), and in these commentaries, the blessed names of these personages are also mentioned explicitly.

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