Quran and the Religious Authority of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) in Esoteric Interpretation

One of the main parameters involved in proving the prophecy of a Prophet or Imamate of an Imam is being the most aware and having the Divine knowledge; therefore proving the knowledge of the esoteric interpretation for Ahl al-Bait (PBUT) through Quran’s verses has an important effect on their religious authority, especially for the Sunnis. This is because most of the Sunni scholars do not believe the authority of Ahl al-Bait even though most Sunni scholars and politicians agree on the excellence of Ahl al-Bait’s religious knowledge; and on this base, some Sunni scholars believe that Prophet’s narrations about the excellence of Ahl al-Bait’s religious knowledge and especially Imam Ali (PBUT), is mentioning to their religious authority not political authority. Yet the Shi’ite scholars believe in the religious authority of Ahl al-Bait and their knowledge of Quran’s esoteric interpretation. Some say this may not be proved by Quran’s verses but it is definitely proved by narrations. In this article, I will try to prove their knowledge of Quran’s esoteric interpretation by Quran’s verses and especially this verse “and those firmly grounded in knowledge”: ; I will also answer the questions and refuse the reasons of the ones who reject the indication of this verse.