The matter of interpretation of Quran is settled in a short debate involving the great Shiite jurist – Sayyed Mohsin al-Hakim (r.a.) and Abdul Aziz Ibn Baaz, arguably the Father of Modern Salafism.
In one of his Hajj journeys, Sayyed Mohsin al-Hakim (r.a.) encounters Ibn Baaz.
True to his nature, Ibn Baaz begins by making pointed objections against Sayyed Mohsin al-Hakim (r.a.) in particular and the Shias in general.
Ibn Baaz’s main contention was – Why don’t the Shia take the apparent of the Holy Quran and act according to it.
Why do you mix it with the exegesis and interpretation? You claim that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) and Imam Baqir (a.s.) said such and such regarding the interpretation.
It is necessary that the apparent of Holy Quran should be acted on and we must keep aside the interpretation and exegesis.
Sayyed Mohsin al-Hakim (r.a.) responded – This does not mean that we take the apparent without its interpretation and exegesis.
Holy Quran declares:
وَمَنْ كَانَ فِي هَٰذِهِ أَعْمَىٰ فَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَىٰ وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا
‘And whoever is blind in this, he shall (also) be blind in the hereafter; and more erring from the way.’ (Surah Bani Israel (17): 72)
If you like to accept the apparent of this verse then we have no problem.
Ibn Baaz became silent and could not utter a word because he himself was blind!
- Ma Same’to min ma Ra’ayto p 25