Lecture 19 in the Ramadaan series:

UNPACKING THE MOST INTRIGUING QUESTIONS IN THE QURAN

Wednesday 13 May 2020 (20th Night of Ramadaan 1441)

Ahlul Bait (a.s) Masjid, Ottery, Cape Town

Mowlana Syed Aftab Haider

PROPHET IBRAHIM (A.S) REQUESTS IMAMATE TO BE IN HIS PROGENY

Let us now present the response to these interrelated questions/objections. Firstly, to our Sunni brothers who have this objection of supposed nepotism in the institution of Imamate, it should be an easy response. This is because the Holy Quran speaks about Nabi Ibrahim (a.s) wanting the Imamate for his progeny, in verse 124 of Surah Baqarah.

So, it is important to note that this lineage of Imamate was not introduced by Shia. Also, the response from Almighty Allah (SWT) to Nabi Ibrahim (a.s) in this verse indicates that He did not reject the request outright. Instead, He indicated to Nabi Ibrahim (a.s) that he will possibly have good people and bad people from his offspring.

Therefore, if this objection of leadership being confined to a family is raised by our Sunni brethren, then it brings into question verse 124 of Surah Baqarah, where Nabi Ibrahim (a.s) asks Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant this Imamate to certain of his progeny too.