محمدعلی رستمیان

In response to the question of why Prophet Abraham (PBUH) was appointed to the position of Imamate, various theories have been proposed in verse 2:124 of the Quran. Imam Musa Sadr, in his article "A Reflection on the Verse of the Imamate of Abraham (PBUH)”, critiques four theories: the same status of Prophethood, appointment to political-social leadership, Imamate at the rank of the Ulul Azm Prophets (PBUH), and inner guidance. He also presents a fifth theory titled "Pioneering in Action”. However, this theory has also failed to provide a suitable explanation for the Imamate of that Prophet (PBUH). In this article, using a descriptive-analytical method, we reject these five theories and propose a new theory titled "Prophet Abraham (PBUH), Imam of the Nations”. This theory, based on verses, narrations, and historical evidence, distinguishes the Sharia of Prophet Abraham (PBUH) in its universality from the Sharia of the other three Ulul Azm Prophets (PBUH) and considers it in harmony and unity with Islamic Sharia. The Sharia of that Prophet has always been present in the world after him and has been connected to Islamic Sharia. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) has been a role model for all people of the world and a standard for monotheism and religiosity. For this reason, he has been the Imam of the nations, and his appointment to the position of Imamate is a specific appointment that even differs from his Imamate in terms of being one of the Ulul Azm.