All these characteristics of the Imam with reference to the Holy Quran
All these characteristics of the Imam have already been described in the Holy Quran. They are narrated below: In Surah-e-Sajdah (verse 24, para 21) the following description has been given about the righteous (Salehin) in Bani Israel:
Translation: “And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.”
About Hazrat Ibrahim, Hazrat Ishaq and Hazrat Yaqub it has been given in Surah-e-Ambiya (Verse 73) that;
Translation: “And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, the establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah; and they were worshippers of Us.”
Two virtues of the Imam are described in this verse: (i) to be a real preacher and preach throughout life and, (ii) to be a staunch worshipper.
Special virtues of Allah, the Almighty are described in Surah-al-Furqan (Verse 74):
Translation: And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.”
Only a pious, true believer and a faithful follower of Allah can be a leader and guide of the community. From this point of view, the verse commands that the Imam should be a virtuous and staunch follower of Quranic commandments. It has been given in of Surah-e-Bani Israel (verse 71) that;
Translation: “[Mention, O Muhammad], the Day We will call forth every people with their Imam; (Their leader; or: their record, their register).”
A description of a pious imam has been given in this verse. That is, the person who will be summoned on the Day of Judgement with his followers will be a perfect model of Imam. (Kashaf Vol-2, Mudarrak Vol 2)
This verse clarifies that the Imam is, and ought to be, ahead of all, in the matters of religion, because, he is responsible and a preacher one. It has been mentioned in Surah-e-Baqarah verse 124 para 2 that a tyrant cannot be Imam. There is preaching that,
Translation: “And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands, and he fulfilled them. [Allah] said, “Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.” [Abraham] said, “And of my descendants?” [Allah] said, “My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.”
This verse proves that the outrageous is not fit to be the imam.
The real follower mufassir Hazrat Mujahid describes the point in the following words:
Translation: “I will make your Imam to the person from your community who is on the right path and observes all the commandments in the true sense. The outrageous will not be made Imam.” (Ibn e Kasir Vol-1)
Hazrat Mujahid has described it in the following words:
Translation: “No tyrant will be made Imam.”
(Ibn-e-Jarir)
While clarifying the point, the famous companion of the companions (Ta’abein) Hazrat Ata’a says it is unfair to make an outrageous man an Imam. His words are: “Allah, the Almighty did not select anyone from the lineage of Hazrat Ibrahim, nay, he cancelled them all.”
While giving an explanation of this verse in his book (Matbu’adar-ulta’aun, Mecca Muazzama, Cha. 17) Qazi Beyazavi writes that in this verse, there is a warning. He writes:
Translation: “There may be unworthy people in Hazrat Ibrahim’s descendants who would not get any authority or power because the post of Imam is a commitment towards Allah. The tyrant does not value it and behave accordingly. Leadership (Imamat) is given to only those people who are pious and are on the right path. There is plenty of evidence that the people of the path are always innocent and trade on the path of truth. Whereas, wicked and shameless people are never entrusted the duty of Imam.”
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 