Ja'far peace be upon him asked him...

Ja'far peace be upon him asked him: "Is all that you say to be found in the Qur'an and the Sun nah of the Prophet or do you also speak on your own authority?" He replied: "It is impossible that we should say anything on our authority.

Whatever we say is to be found in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet." ( 8 ) The interpretation of the inner meaning of the Qur'an is a science that derives from the world of the unseen; in other ( 196 ) words it is not a science that can be acquired by conventional means. Such interpretation which is the uncovering of the true nature of things words and needs can be attained only through bestowal by God. The Qur'an says: "He it is who brought tire Book down to you.

Part of it consists of verses firm and categorical in meaning these being the foundation of tire Book and part of others allegorical in meaning. Those in whose hearts is perversion and deviance follow only tire metaphorical verses in order to create confusion and disorder while claiming to be interpreting those verses.

Their interpretation is known however only to God and those firmly rooted in knowledge." (3:7) "Those firmly rooted in knowledge" (al-rasikhuna fi 'l-'ilm) are then those who like God know the interpretation of the metaphorical verses and there are numerous traditions testifying to the Imams' command of Qur'anic interpretation.

One of the companions of Imam al-Baqir peace be upon him asked him to explain the tradition that "There is no part of the Qur'an that does not have an outer and an inner aspect and there is no letter contained in it that does not have a defining limit and that limit is knowable." He replied: "The outer aspect of the Qur'an is the totality of that which has been revealed. Its inner aspect is the interpretation thereof.

Part of this has already been accomplished and part remains to be accomplished in the future. For the interpretation of the Qur'an traverses its course like the sun and the moon and whenever the time is apposite a further portion of it is accomplished.

God said: 'Its interpretation is known only to God and those firmly rooted in knowledge.' We it is who are throughly acquainted with the interpretation of the Qur'an." ( 9 ) Imam al-Sadiq peace be upon him is reported to have said: "The most exalted of those firmly rooted in knowledge was the Messenger of God. Whatever God Almighty sent to him He taught him also its interpretation.