162. Cf. 57:25. 163. According to Sayyid ''Alikhan, by 'witnesses' the Imam means either those who bear witness to God's Unity and to the prophets, since the Qur'an is their greatest proof, or the Prophet and his Household, who are (according to the Shi'ite interpretation) the witnesses referred to in the verse Thus We appointed you a midmost nation that you might be witnesses to the people, and that the Messenger might be a witness to you (2:143). 164. Here the prayer's specific reference to the Imam's own situation leads the commentators to suggest altering the text when it is recited. Sayyid ''Alikhan suggests that one should make the following changes: warrathtana -> warrathta awsiya'ahu; faddaltana -> faddaltahum; qawwaytana -> qawwaytahum; tarfa'ana -> tarfa'ahum.
hoja inayotolewa na wapinzani wa imamu wetu ni kwamba imam lazima awe anaonekana siku zote na kuwa awe hadharani mwa watu na kwamba imam aliyejificha hawezi kuwa imam au hawezi kutoa mwongozo mwema au kusaidia si hoja thabiti. iwapo hatuwezi kumkubali imam tusiyemwona, basi kuwepo kwa mungu mwenyewe ambaye hatumwoni bapa duniani na hata baadaye (siku ya akhera) vile vile, naudhubillah, hubatilisha kuwepo kwake. hata hivyo, kukubali kuwepo kwa mungu ni imani muhimu katika dini zote. licha ya hayo viumbe wengi wa mungu ambao hawaonekani, lakini kuwepo kwao hakupingwi. mathalan roho ya binadamu inayoingia katika kijusi kilichopo tumboni mwa mama na roho inapotoka mwilini mwa binadamu vile vile haionekani. kuongezea hayo, hewa na malaika hawaonekani, lakini hatuvikanushi.