Examining the Concept of Imam Mubin from the Perspective of Knowing the Human Being
“Imam Mubin” is an expression that is mentioned twice in the Holy Quran. The literal translations of this refers to words such as “the Preserved Tablet,” “the Clear Book,” and “the Clear Path.” While these translations reflect the apparent meaning of the verses, every verse in the Quran also has inner meanings that require Interpretation (tafsir) and allegorical Interpretation (ta’wil). Examining the views of scholars of the science of interpretation and allegorical interpretation of the Quran, as well as the narrations that exist regarding this expression, shows that it has a meaning other than the words book and clear path.
The concept of Imam Mubin can be analyzed from different dimensions, one of which is self-knowledge. Since the Quran is a guide for humanity, all its expressions are related to human beings. To understand the meaning of Imam Mubin from the perspective of self-knowledge, we must consider aspects such as the characteristics of the world of creation, the purpose of human creation, and the requirements for achieving this purpose. Exploring these elements helps to discover the true meaning of this expression and its relationship with the human.
One of the key characteristics of the world of creation is its mathematical structure and having a measure and size. Everything that exists in the world of creation is subject to this law and has mathematical characteristics. Another significant aspect is the purpose of human creation. God has created humans with a specific purpose, and everything in the universe serves as a tool to achieve this purpose.
To accomplish any goal, one must have a clear understanding of their abilities, the path they must follow, and the resources available to them. A crucial requirement for reaching the ultimate purpose of creation is the presence of guides who can lead the way, distinguish right from wrong, and facilitate the journey toward the goal.
The ultimate purpose of creation is for humans to become similar to God and attain the status of Allah’s representative. Therefore, the guides on this path must be at the highest level of this status. The world of creation, the purpose of human creation, and their guides are directly related to the concept of Imam Mubin, which will be further explored below.
Examining the Concept of Imam Mubin from a Transmitted Perspective
Studying the verses of the Quran has two dimensions, one is the apparent examination and literal translation of the verses, and the other is the discovery of the inner meaning of Quranic expressions. Understanding the literal meaning can often be achieved through knowledge of the Arabic language. However, knowing the inner reality of meanings requires expertise in interpretation and allegorical interpretation. Narrations of the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them) are invaluable in this regard because in response to the questions of their companions and people, they frequently explain the inner reality of the meaning of Quranic verses.
One verse referring to Imam Mubin is found in Surah Yasin (36:12): “…and We have encompassed everything in Imam Mubin.” Various translations interpret Imam Mubin as the “Preserved Tablet,” “the Clear Book,” or “a Record of All Things.” However, beyond these translations, interpretative discussions reveal profound insights.
Some philosophical and mystical interpretations of the Quran suggest that Imam Mubin refers to a being who is the foundation of all truths in creation and the manifestation of all divine names and attributes. Narrations from the Infallible ones align with these interpretations. For example, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (Peace be upon him) recounted that after the revelation of this verse, some companions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked whether Imam Mubin referred to divine scriptures like the Torah, Gospels, or Quran. Rejecting those assumptions, the Prophet responded by pointing to Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) and saying, “The Imam Mubin is this man! He is the one in whom God has encompassed all knowledge” [1]. Also, in several narrations, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) has described himself as the Imam Mubin who separates truth from falsehood.
During the sermon at Ghadir, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “There is no knowledge except that God has given it to me, and I have taught it to Ali. He is the Imam Mubin” [2].
Commentators such as Allama Tabatabai considers the meaning of the narrations that introduce Amir al-Mu’minin (Peace be upon him) as the Imam Mubin to be part of the inner meanings of the Quran. He states that there is no obstacle for God Almighty to grant knowledge of all the information contained in the Manifest Book to a servant of His who possesses pure monotheism and devotion to Him. After the Prophet, this servant is none other than Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) [3].
The compilation of narrations and interpretations related to the Imam Mubin indicates that this term refers to a being with specific characteristics. In the following, we seek to understand what this term refers to, in terms of self-knowledge or knowing the human being.
Examining the Concept of the Imam Mubin from the Perspective of Self-Knowledge
In examining the concept of the Imam Mubin from the perspective of self-knowledge, it is necessary to refer to the mathematical order of creation, the purposes of the creation of beings, and the necessity of having an infallible expert on Earth.
Creation operates within a mathematical framework, and based on mathematical logic, the creation of each and every being must have a purpose. God had a purpose in creating us humans, as part of this universe which is to become like God and reach the status of Allah’s deputy. To achieve this purpose, humans must follow a defined path. This path is governed by mathematical and logical principles, and understanding these principles enhances the speed and quality of achieving the ultimate goal.
To achieve a goal in any field, having a guide is essential. This need becomes even more critical when humans try to reach the ultimate purpose of their creation. Humans require guides and role models who can lead them along the correct path to become similar to God. This necessity underscores the existence of Allah’s deputy and infallible experts on Earth. In fact, in order for the purpose of our creation not to be in vain and futile, God must place successors on Earth. In this way, through connection with them, we reach a position that is worthy of the status of a true human being. If we were able to solve our problems and weaknesses in the path of reaching the ultimate purpose of creation by studying, researching, and investigating, and through trial and error, God would never have placed a deputyon Earth. These truths are part of the mathematical relationships governing the world of creation.
Allah’s deputy must be the most complete and perfect manifestation of God and a perfect example of divine attributes so that he can lead us to the highest position, which is the position of a perfect human being. All the manifestations that are seen in the various realms, from the realm of Jabrut and Malakut to the realm of Nasut, are in fact the inner nature of Allah’s deputy and the perfect human being.
The infallible Imams (Peace be upon him) are Allah’s deputies who, if we know the truth of their existence as perfect human beings, the truth and inner essence of the universe will also be identifiable for us. This is because these noble beings are the mine and repository of all divine secrets and knowledge. With these descriptions, we can well understand the meaning of Imam Mubin in the verse “And We have encompassed everything in ImamMubin.” The Imam Mubin is the being in whose heart all divine calculations and knowledge of creation reside. This concept points to true human figures who are accessible to everyone. It is enough to know ourselves and the purpose of our creation and realize the necessity of connecting with them. Narrations identifying Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) as the Imam Mubin suggest that this title applies to all infallible ones (Peace be upon them). In every era, someone holds this title, serving as Allah’s deputy and a perfect example of Him on Earth, shaping the destiny of the world through their existence. Establishing a relationship with him ensures a fast and faultless journey toward the divine purpose, enabling us to achieve the status of Allah’s deputy.
The Imam Mubin is the being to whom angels deliver all worldly decrees on the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr), encompassing the fate of humanity and the entire universe. The example of such a title in this era is Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his advent). He is the most important womb and safe haven in which we must be placed, and if we do not reach him, we will be aborted and will not reach the status of the perfect human being.
This article explored the concept of Imam Mubin through transmitted narrations and from the perspective of self-knowledge. The findings show that this term refers to true individuals who are the most comprehensive manifestations of divine names, knowledge, and attributes. The Infallible ones (Peace be upon them) are the same Imam Mubin;connection with them is the fastest and shortest way to reach the purpose of creation, the status of Allah’s deputy and the perfect human being. In every era, there is a true personality as the Imam Mubin, and for us, this person is Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his advent). To fully appreciate the necessity of connecting with him, we must first know ourselves and the purpose of our creation.
We will continue to explore this topic in future discussions.
References
[1]. Bihar Al Anwaar, vol. 35, The book of History – Amir Al Momineen, Ch. 23, H. 1 b
[2]. Tafsir al-Muttaqin, p. 528