The Imams from among the Prophet’s Household () being...

The Imams from among the Prophet’s Household () being competent alone for this status, beside just an elite of the selected , since (‘a) are the followers of the Remembrance, whom Allah — the Exalted — commanded us to refer to when He — the Almighty and the Glorious — said: “…so ask the followers of the Reminder if you do not know…” (Sura an-Nahl, 16:43) [^1] They are too those whom Allah — the Exalted — has chosen and made them to inherit the knowledge of the books, when He — Subhānahu — said (in the Holy Qur’ān): “Then We gave the Book for an inheritance to those whom We chose from among Our servants;…” (Sura Fatir, 35:32).

Based on this, the Messenger of Allah (Allah’s peace and benediction be upon him and his Progeny) has counted them the equal of the Qur’ān, and the second thaql (precious asset) of which he (S) ordered the Muslims to get hold, when he said: “I am leaving behind among you two precious things. The Book of Allah and my kindred (‘Itrah), as long as you hold on to them you shall never go astray. ”[^2] In another narration reported by Muslim, he (S) said: “ ...

The Book of Allah and my Household (), I urge you to remember Allah regarding my (He repeated the last statement three times) ”.[^3] It is commonly known that (peace be upon them) were the most knowledgeable, piousl, godliest and best of people, in whose regard al-Farazdaq has said: When enumerating men of piety they be their leaders, Or said who are the best of people, is replied they be.

I cite here one example just to show the nature of association between (peace be upon them) and the Holy Qur’ān, in which Allah— the Exalted — said: "But nay! I swear by the falling of stars; and most surely it is a very great oath if you only knew; most surely it is an honoured Qur’ān, in a book kept hidden, none shall touch it save the purified ones. " (Sura Al-Waqi’a, 56: 75 — 79).

These verses undoubtedly indicate that (‘a) — headed by the Messenger of Allah (S) — are the only people entitled and able to realize the obscure meanings of the Qur’ān.

When pondering upon the oath sworn by the Exalted and Glorious Lord, we will face this fact: When Allah — the Exalted — swears by the declining day, the pen, the fig and the olive, then the greatness of taking oath by the places of the stars shall be manifested due to the secrets and influence on the universe it implies, with Allah’s permission.