A Comparative Study of Semantics of the Phrase Ulel Amr (Those in Authority) Mentioned in the Verses 59 and 83 in the Surah Al-Nisa (The Women), in Shia and Sunni View

The phrase "those in authority" is only mentioned in the verses 59 and 83 of the Surah Al-Nisa' (The Women) and is terminologically disputed by Shia and Sunni scholars. Many great Shia scholars regard infallible Imams (peace be upon them) as the only referents of the phrase in the verse 59 and "infallibility" as the necessary condition of "those in authority", based on the context of the verse and several hadiths. The specification of the referent of the phrase in the verse 83 has divided Shias into two groups. One group infers the necessity of infallibility and regards the Holy Prophet's Household as the determinate referents, citing intra-textual proofs and several hadiths. Having a different conception of the context of the verse, the other does not limit the referents to infallible Imams, and holds that Imams are not the only referents of the phrase, citing some hadiths, which seems more plausible. Opposing Shia view about the verses, most Sunni scholars regard several other groups such as legitimate rulers, scientists, jurists, and people of Hall and Aqd (those whose opinions are what count) as the referents of the verses, citing some incomplete proofs which suffer from some shortcomings.