According to narrations, complete guidance is not realized without recognition of the religious guardianship of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) and the Ahl al-Bayt. The path of divine guidance becomes illuminated through adherence to the infallible Imams.
Verse 82 of Surah al-Ta-Ha
“And indeed, I am surely Most Forgiving to the one who repents, believes, performs righteous deeds, and then attains guidance.” (20:82)
According to the narration of Imam al-Hadi (peace be upon him) in the al-Ghadir supplication, this verse recalls the lofty status of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).
In a passage of al-Ghadir supplication, it is stated:
“Misguided is the one who prevents people from you and thus does not find a path to God and to me. This is the statement of my God, the Mighty and Exalted: ‘Indeed, I am surely Most Forgiving to the one who repents, believes, performs righteous deeds, and then is guided’ (Ta-Ha: 82)—that is, guided to your religious guardianship.”
Verse 82 of Surah al-Ta-Ha, regarded as one of the Alawi verses of the Holy Quran, underscores the distinguished position of Amir al-Muminin in Quranic exegesis and in the ethical foundations of Islam. This verse bears a profound connection to the words of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), wherein he repeatedly emphasized the vast mercy of God and the importance of repentance, returning to God, and righteous action as the path toward divine forgiveness and pleasure.
Imam al-Askari (peace be upon him) narrated from his noble father that on the Day of al-Ghadir, while addressing Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) in pilgrimage and referring to this verse, he stated:
“I bear witness in truth, and I swear by God with sincerity and honesty, that Muhammad and his family are the masters of creation; that you are my master and the master of all believers; and that you are the servant of God, His ruler, the brother of the Messenger, his trustee, and his heir. He said to you, “By the One who sent me with the truth, whoever disbelieves in you has not believed in me, and whoever denies you has not acknowledged God, the Exalted.”
Whoever obstructs you and stands in your way is misguided and has found no guidance toward God, the Exalted, nor toward me. This is the meaning of the verse of the Quran in which God, the Mighty and Exalted, states, “And indeed, I am surely Most Forgiving to the one who repents, believes, performs righteous deeds, and then attains guidance”—that is, guided to your religious guardianship.”
