A New Perspective on Connection between Quran and Ahl al-Bayt

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Some scholars have limited the connection between Quran and Ahl al-Bayt to the verses that confirm their guardianship (Wilayat), but one of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) hadiths expand this view. 

Reza Mohaghegian, an expert in Islamic sciences, talked about the Hadith al-Thaqalayn in a lecture. Here are some of his points:

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Ali is with Quran and Quran is with Ali.” 

This means that there is a strong link between Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and Quran and its teachings. 

The hadith means that the whole Quran, which has 114 chapters, should be accompanied by Ahl al-Bayt (AS). And Ahl al-Bayt (AS) should be accompanied by all the surahs of the Quran. Each surah can be related to Ahl al-Bayt (AS) in different ways.

One way is that each surah has a goal and the number of verses is based on that goal. The surah not only shows people how to reach that goal but also hands the execution of that goal to Ahl al-Bayt (AS). And each surah is related to Ahl al-Bayt (AS) based on that goal.

For example, Surah Al-Fatiha starts with praising God. And praise should be followed by blessings. Blessings are mentioned later in the surah. When we look at the hadiths, we see that this blessing is the blessing of Ahl al-Bayt (AS). So the main purpose of Surah Al- Fatiha is to praise and thank God for the greatest blessing, which is the blessing of Wilayat.

The story of Prophet Adam is mentioned in different surahs, but in Surah Al-Baqarah, there is a part of the story that God wants to make Adam His deputy or “caliph” on earth.

What are the conditions for being God's caliph? The first condition is knowledge. One of the conditions of an Imam is extensive knowledge. The story of Talut and Goliath is also mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah. Another condition has been mentioned there: “Allah has chosen him over you and increased him with amplitude in knowledge and body" (Surah Al-Baqarah: verse 247). It means that the imam must be chosen by God. He must also have the knowledge and ability to lead the people.

Therefore, Surah Al-Baqarah has explained the characteristics of the divine guides, and the Surah is somehow related to Ahl al-Bayt (AS), who are the divine guides.