Witness to our actions

[Syed KamiL Abbas Jafri]

Imam Sadiq (as) was asked about the meaning of the following Quranic verse:

'How will be the condition on the day of judgment when We shall bring forth a witness from every nation and We will make you (O Prophet) as a witness upon them.' (Surah Nisa, Verse 41)

Imam (as) replied,

'This verse refers particularly to the nation of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.). In every era an Imam from among us is a witness upon them and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is a witness upon us.' (Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p.190, tradition 1)

Another person asked Imam Sadiq (as) about the following Quranic verse in which Allah says:

'In this way have We made you as the middle nation so that you be a witness on the people." (Surah Baqarah, Verse 143)

Imam (as) replied:

"We are the 'middle nation'. We are the witnesses of Allah upon the creation & His Proof upon them.' (Ibid, tradition 2)

From these traditions, it becomes clear that our Imam (as) witnesses our deeds. In order to become a witness, it is necessary that the person should have comprehensive knowledge about the thing that he witnesses. Hence when we say that our Imam (as) is a witness to our actions, it means that he has encompassing knowledge of all our actions.