A Reflection on Allameh Tabatabaii's View on the Concept of Imamate in the Verse of Affliction

The term "Imam" literally meaning leader and head, is referred to in many Qur’anic verses, one of which is the verse of affliction. Different ideas have for long been mooted about the meaning of Imam in the verse of affliction, but because of his use of the interpretative method the late 'Allameh Tabatabaii's view is considered unique. The present paper elaborates and comments his on the way he interprets "Imam" in the verse of affliction. The author uses the method of interpreting the Quran by the Qur’an relying on authentic traditions from the Fourteen Infallibles in his analytical study of Tabatabaii’s view. The main finding of this research indicates that, although Tabatabaii’s view is accepted by other commentators, it has some ambiguities which have not been resolved.