The author of Tafsir al-Manar, Rashid Reza, is so biased towards the interpretation of the Verse of Proclamation by the Shia exegetists on leadership of Imam Ali (A.S) that he has said the issue of Imamate and Wilayah is totally a new subject. He says the atmosphere at the time the verse was revealed did not center round leadership of Muslims. Beset by weird fancies Rashid concludes that the issue of leadership was coined by Shia followers and lovers of Imam Ali (A.S) who have resorted to Qur'anic verses to prove their claims.[1]
Response:
Rashid would better provide solid evidence for his claims and did not suffice to slandering and confusing claims, although his claims prove well the rightfulness of the Shia Muslims in their claims. It would be enough for him to refer to the written evidence and documents - considered authentic by the Shia and Sunni scientists and scholars - to review the story of Saqifah Bani Saedah to learn about the issue of caliphate and appointment of caliph.
How strange it is for a commentator of Qu'ran to sow the seeds of discord in words and action instead of publicizing the Qur'anic wisdom to the people. He has closed his eyes to the realities in his claims, otherwise he could understand what the Prophet (PBUH) said in a family gathering (And warn [Muhammad], your closest kindred). The Prophet (PBUH) used to introduce Imam Ali (A.S) in every gathering to the newly converted Muslims because he knew some of those around him used to conspire against Islam, the Prophet (PBUH) and Imam Ali (A.S).
source : www.tebyan.net
