The sectarian guidance of Ali

This is a Twelver Shia exegesis of the Quran, published in Lebanon. It's based on several “official” Twelver Shia works and therefore presumably has some authority. The Twelvers (the Ithna Ashariya) are the largest current within Shia Islam, and the state religion of Iran. In addition to Muhammad, they recognize twelve Imams, beginning with Ali, who supposedly have access to an esoteric message not explicitly recorded in the Quranic suras. Hence the need for a detailed exegesis of this kind.

I admit that I only read 6% of this work. It's badly translated, filled with never explained Arabic words, and (due to typography) doesn't always clearly distinguish between the words of the Quran, the traditional Shia interpretation and the modern editors' comments. You will need a lot of patience if you want to assimilate “Shia Exegesis of the Noble Quran”!

But yes, some things do stand out. The message is strongly sectarian, centered on the quasi-divine qualities of Muhammad and his family, principally Ali, Muhammad's cousin and (according to Shia faith) chosen successor and ancestor of all later Imams. God created the world for the sake of Muhammad, his daughter Fatima (who was also Ali's wife), Ali and the later Imams. Muhammad and Ali are higher than all other prophets. They are “the light of God” and have taken human form only because ordinary mortals can't stand looking at the divine light directly.

In the Quran, God commands the angels to prostrate before Adam. In the Shia version, the command is given since Adam had been endowed by the “light of Muhammad-o-Aal-e-Muhammad” (Muhammad and his family). When Satan refuses to prostrate, he is in effect attacking the pre-existing Shia Muslim Imams. Satan is also said to be the founder of the “Nasbi sect”, presumably the Sunni Muslims! Only those who are under the “walyat” (guidance or lordship) of Ali will be saved on Judgment Day. Thus, only Twelver Shias will reach Paradise, while the majority of Muslims are presumably destined for Hell. Imam Husayn, the martyred son of Ali who died fighting the Sunnis at the battle of Karbala, also plays a prominent role. For instance, earlier prophets are said to have predicted his appearance, Zechariah offering his son John the Baptist for martyrdom in his stead. However, no sacrifice is sufficiently large to trump Husayn's death at Karbala.

The Shia exegesis also contains incredible miracle stories about Ali ordering mountains to turn into silver and gold, or animals bearing witness to his exaltation. It's not clear whether these stories are meant to be taken literally or not.

The strongly sectarian spirit is compounded by constant attacks on “hypocrites”, apparently a technical term denoting people who profess allegiance to Ali with their tongues, while inwardly opposing him. These will be weeded out on Judgment Day and thrown into the fire. It seems even the Shia camp is teeming with traitors!

Overall, I can't say I like the “esoteric” message of the Quran, which seems to be all about the exaltation of one man (Ali), or a few men and one woman, over everybody else. In the Shia version, Muhammad and Ali play a role similar to Jesus in Christianity. Also, the cosmic sacrifice of Husayn at Karbala seems to be similar to Christ's sacrifice on the cross. I'm not sure if it can be proven, but some kind of Christian influence or mimicry surely cannot be ruled out. Otherwise, I was mostly struck by the constant threats of eternal damnation towards everyone outside the sectarian fold (and some inside it, too).

So this is the officially established religion of Iran. In Iraq, it's also a Western ally against ISIS…

I suppose the Walyat of Ali works in mysterious ways!