Proving the rightousness of Imam Ali as the successor of prophet revealed in Surat al Maede using formal interpretation method

Surat al Maede is among the longest ones revealed to the prophet of islam. it is also known as the last of revelations to the prophet of Islam.This Surat is repelete with multiple veses on authority and leadership, preaching and perfectness. Shia interpretation scholars bring these verses as proofs and quote them frequently to prove the rightousness of Imam Ali as the successor of prophet and the just leader of Muslims. However, there exists an incongruence between the verses prior to verse three and the verses following it. The verse prior to verse three is about consumption of un-Halal meat, the following verses talk about perfection of Islam as a religion. Interpretors attempted to address this seemingly incongruent placement of verse. Some scholars offered their solutions for these seemingly incongruent verse, such as discontinuity of revelation to prophet, scatteredness in revelation, irrelevance of the phrase “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you”. The current study adopts a constructive interpretation method and taps on the tools offered by this method seeking to solve this interpretation riddle. This study sets two gols: First, unveiling the seemingly incongruent parts of the verse on perfection of Islam, second presenting a new horizon on Surat al Maede depicting clearly the relationship between the verses and the issue of authority and leadership after prophet. Almighty Allah sought to emphasize on authority and leadership as the most imprortant blessing for the humankind. A blessing that overshadows all other blessings and is the key that unlocks the door to use other blessings. Almighty allah outlines the features of a qualified leader and defines the responsibilities of people towards a just leader. Although, no direct reference is made to the name of Imam Ali in these verse, one clearly understands that Juxtaposing these features and historical propositions remaining from the first century after Hijra clearly exhibits the rightousness of Imam Ali’s authority and leadership on Muslims of that era as the successor of prophet.