The reporter asked...

The reporter asked, “What is the evidence that proves that an Imam must have full knowledge of the things you have just mentioned?” The Imam (‘a) answered: قَوْلُ اللهِ فِي مَنْ أَذِنَ اللهُ لَهُمْ بِالْحُكُومَةِ وَجَعَلَهُمْ أَهْلَهَا: "إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ ۚ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُوا لِلَّذِينَ هَادُوا وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالْأَحْبَارُ" {44} فَهَذِهِ الأَئِمَّةُ دُونَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ الَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ النَّاسَ بِعِلْمِهِمْ، وَأَمَّا الأَحْبَارُ فَهُمُ الْعُلَمَاءُ دُونَ الرَّبَّانِيِّينَ.

ثُمَّ أَخْبَرَ فَقَالَ: "بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُوا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَكَانُوا عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَاءَ" {44} وَلَمْ يَقُلْ بِمَا حُمِّلُوا مِنْهُ. The proof is Almighty Allah’s statement about those whom He has permitted to hold the position of government and those whom He has stated to be the actual men of authority. He says, ‘Surely, We revealed the Torah in which was guidance and light; with it the prophets who submitted themselves to Allah judged matters for those who…