The Role of the Imam (A.S.) in Legislation, Reception, and Interpretation of Religion

In Shī‘ism، the Imams (A. S.) have been the perpetuators of the Holy Prophet’s (A. S.) Prophetic Mission. Clarifying their role in perpetuation of the above-mentioned mission is among the questions that the thinkers have always inquired about. Given the undeniable doctrines of the finality of the Prophethood، this question has to be answered in a way that no other prophets are made out of the Imams. This writing is a deliberation on this topic. Searching into the verses of the Qur’ān and the traditions، the writer has made the conclusion that the Imams (A. S.) are neither in a position to legislate religion nor receiving religion; rather، they have received the whole religion from the Prophet himself or the Imams before them، have expressed it to people، and undertaken to interpret (tafsīr) it and present esoteric commentary (ta’wīl) on it.