A Discussion of the Narrations

Instances of Divine Guidance

Jābir narrated: I asked Abū Jaʿfar (a.s.) about the inner interpretation of this verse in the Qur’an: “When guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance, there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.” (20:123) He said: The interpretation of “guidance” is ʿAlī. God said about him: “Whoever follows My guidance, there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.”(260)

Note: Regardless of whether these narrations cited as exegetical (tafsīr) traditions are marfūʿ, mawqūf, or mursal, it is important to note that firstly, such ḥadīths have been issued as an application and expression of some of the perfect instances that have been disregarded by some, objected to by others, and opposed by certain groups. Secondly, this is presented by way of exemplification, not specification, because ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (a.s.) is not the sole instance of guidance. Rather, all the infallibles from the family of Ṭāhā and Yāsīn (a.s.) represent perfect examples of this guidance. Additionally, the Qur’an, which is the greater weight and the counterpart of the pure progeny (a.s.), also stands as another instance of divine guidance.

Verses That Have Been Rejected

From al-ʿAskarī (a.s.): “Those who disbelieve and deny Our signs” (6:49), which indicate the truthfulness of Muḥammad regarding what he brought of the accounts of past generations and what he conveyed to God’s servants, including his preference for ʿAlī and his pure progeny—the best among the virtuous after Muḥammad (s.a.w.), the master of creation. These individuals affirm the truthfulness of Muḥammad (s.a.w.) in his tidings but reject his appointment of his chosen successors from his pure descendants, with ʿAlī as the foremost of the divinely selected successors.(261)

Note: As mentioned in the previous ḥadīth, regardless of any weaknesses in the chain of transmission—whether it is marfūʿ, maqṭūʿ, mawqūf, or mursal—the content of this narration does not aim to clarify the meaning of the verse directly. Instead, it seeks to apply the concept of the verse to a specific instance that has been rejected by some groups.