It can also be inferred from the verse...

It can also be inferred from the verse, “And when his Lord tested Abraham with certain words…” that the station of divine imamah , i.e. governing the society and leading the people is higher than the station of nubuwwah or the station of risalah ; for, as stated by the Qur’anic verses, while Hadrat Ibrahim ( ‘a ) was holding the station of nubuwwah and the station of risalah , he was required to pass difficult tests before the station of imamah was granted to him.

The reason is clear; apart from the responsibility of receiving revelation and delivering the message, the station of divine imamah also includes the supervision of society, leadership of the ummah and proper administration of the affairs of people for the purpose of reaching the pinnacle of perfection and felicity. So, it is natural that this station has a peculiar importance and grandeur and its attainment is impossible without passing a series of difficult tests. 2.

It is clear from the previous verse that God, the Exalted, granted the station of imamah and leadership of the community to Ibrahim ( ‘a ) after exposing him to hard tests. Then, Ibrahim ( ‘a ) asked God to assign this station to his descendants as well.

Other Qur’anic verses clearly state that God accepted the request of Ibrahim ( ‘a ) and after granting the station of nubuwwah to Ibrahim’s righteous and upright descendants, He appointed them to the position of the leadership of the community and rule over the ummah .

When he prayed to God and asked Him to give the position of governance and leadership to his descendants too, the Lord granted that prayer by granting that high station to his just descendants and offspring, and apart from the (heavenly) Book and wisdom { hikmah }, which are the signs of nubuwwah and risalah , He granted them “great sovereignty” { mulkan ‘azimah }, which means governance and leadership over the people. As such, the request of Ibrahim ( ‘a ) was granted.