The Methodology of Imam Reza (A.S)'s Reasoning Based on Al-Wilaya Verses in Debates with Merv's Scholars

In Mamun’s house and in the debate with Merv’s scholars, Imam Reza (A.S) used 34 verses of Holy Quran to refer to the superiority of his descendant over his nation, and he took benefit of these verses in different ways during the debate. The methods he employed in the debate include interpretation of Holy Quran by the use of Holy Quran, referring to the context of revelation of verses, Jari and Tatbigh (the flowing and comparable nature of verses), stating instances of the verses and brief interpretations of verses. Imam Reza (A.S) cleared many obscurities of verses about Ahl al-Bayt (P.B.U.T.) using the approach of interpreting Holy Quran by the use of Holy Quran, proved the capability of Ahl al-Bayt in being the successors of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) by referring to the context of revelation of verses, and attributed some verses to Imam Ali (A.S) through Jari and Tatbigh approach. Also, using the approach of instances of verses, he recognized Ahl al-Bayt as instances of Dhawi al-Qurba (literally meaning close relatives) mentioned in Holy Quran. Finally, by briefly interpreting such verses as “And warn [O Mohammad] your closest Kindred”, he considered the verse as an honor for the family of the Prophet. In this paper, descriptive- analytic research methodology is employed.