Eighth Argument: The Rule of Style and Negating Connotation of Imamate by Verse of Proclamation[1]
Fakhr Razi, and those following him, have expressed doubt on that fact that the Verse of Proclamation attests to Imamate or leadership of Islamic Ummah. He writes: “The verses before and after the Verse of Proclamation, are about the religious rules of Jews. According to the rule of style the interpretation of this holy verse will be that the Almighty God sends this verse and tells His Messenger not to worry about the number of his followers against Jewish and Christian enemies, and the matching sentence “vallah-o ya’semuka … meaning and Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people,” is a solid evidence to support this claim.[2]
Response:
This verse and some other verses were revealed in the final days of the prophetic mission when the Jews and Christians were about to be totally defeated. Therefore, the rule of style cannot attest to this issue. Other Sunni exegetists have expressed views contrary to that of Fakhr Razi and they say “that which has been revealed to you” means the religious precepts and the conspiracies of the Jews and the word “people” refers to the hypocrites and people not the Jews and Christians.
Instances of Differences between Fakhr Razi and Other Exegetists on Interpretation of the Verse of Proclamation
A) Fakhr Razi says “that which has been revealed to you” refers to the conspiracies of the Jews and the Christians and concludes that the Almighty God ordered the Prophet of Islam to reveal whatever he knows about the conspiracies of the Jews and Christians to people to help them in their conflict and to let them know what enmity they have with you and the Muslims.[3]
Unlike Fakhr Razi, the majority of Sunni scholars and exegetists say “that which has been revealed to you” refers to the religious precepts on general expediency of the Muslims that God has already revealed to the Prophet (PBUH), and that, the most important issue that overshadows all other issues, is the leadership of Islamic Ummah after the death of the Prophet (PBUH).
B) Fakhr Razi commenting on the following verse: “and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message,” says: it refers to intensified animosity of the Jews and Christians against the Muslims. He says God has ordered the Prophet (PBUH) to reveal all conspiracies of the Jews and Christians, otherwise Islam and Muslims will suffer pressing problems imposed by the Jews and Christians. This is because they would oppose Islam and Muslims with ease of mind and Muslims would gradually become indifferent. Then the darkness of ignorance would prevail on earth and overshadow the light of Islam. On the contrary, the majority of exegetists have considered this phrase a negation of any concealing of Revelation.
C) Fakhr Razi says he word “al-naas or people” refers only to the Jews and Christians, but the majority of Sunni exegetists say the word refers to the infidels. Imamiyah exegetists say the word refers to the hypocrites and those conspiring against Imam Ali (A.S).
D) A notable point is that when the verse was revealed, the Jews and the Christians lacked effective power in the society or and could not pose any threat to the Muslims.
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Notes:
[1] Fath ul-Bari, Vol. 8, P. 76; Al-Ghadir, Vol. 3, P. 679
[2] Tafsir Kabir, Vol. 1, P. 283 & Vol. 12, P. 399; Al-Bahr ul-Mofid, Vol. 4, P. 341; Al-Manar, Vol. 6, P. 465
[3] Tafsir Kabir, Vol. 1, P. 283, Vol. 12, P. 399; Al-Bahr al-Mohit, Vol. 4, P. 341; Al-Manar, Vol. 6, P. 465
Other links:
Third Argument: Reviewing Doubts of some Sunni Exegetes and scholars about the Verse of Proclamation and Shia Responses
Fourth Argument: Revelation of Verse on Stoning to Death and Equal Retaliation
Fifth Argument: Revelation of the Verse on the Ruse of Jews
