Interpretation of the Seventh Verse of Surah Ash-Sharh (Based on Context)

The Surah Ash-Sharh, and especially its seventh verse that asserts, "So when thou art empty, labor," (Ash-Sharh 7), is one of the surahs and verses that have been the subject of increasing attention and debates regarding the issue of Welayat. A study of the works of Shia and Sunni scholars on this subject raises some thought-provoking questions and yields insightful results. In short, the conventional approach adopted by the majority of Shia and Sunni scholars is that this verse invites Prophet (pbuh) to make greater efforts in the path of God, but according to the view held by a few Shia and Sunni commentators, this verse refers to the undertaking of Prophet (pbuh) regarding the installation of Ali (as) at the position of Imamate at the end of his mission. Accordingly, what is implied by this verse is that “When you are free of your mission, install Ali as the Imam.” There are two challenges facing this verse: A) its incompatibility with the reading of the verse; and B) the fact that the surah was revealed in Mecca. Nevertheless, it seems that cautious consideration of the contextual function in the interpretation can help address this challenge. Accordingly, the possibility of this verse being associated with the installation of Ali (as) in the position of Imamate should be considered in relation to its context. The interpretation of this verse in its context suggests that of the two meanings attributed to the term installation (Nasb), namely making efforts in worship and appointing someone for the position of welayat, the second one deems more appropriate.