Assessment of " Imam" article from the Encyclopedia of Quran

“Imam” is one of the articles of Encyclopedia of Quran. It is a short report of the different meanings of the word Imam, the number of its usage in Quran and some of different Islamic sects’ viewpoints regarding Imam and Imamat. The writer while pointing out to the symbolic appointment of Abraham as Imam, discusses the perspectives of Khawarej, Ismailias, Nazaria, Mustalavia and Shiia (Twelve Imami) in regard to Imam and Imamat and points out some of their differences of opinion in this respect. Later he mentions that the Sunnis do not believe in the divine position of Imam and only use this word for the leader of congregation and scholarly figures. The critic of this article who has offered to different sources while completing and explaining the topics by offering a better report of perspectives and difference of opinions, believes that this article contains not only a great number of shortcomings, but also lacks impartiality and principles of trusteeship. The author of the article has also failed to pay attention to the main root of the Shiia-Sunni difference in regard to Imam and Imamat. The critic, while defending the Shiia perspective in relation to Imam and introducing some sources, mentions negligence and mistakes of the writer and explains each one of them.