one meaning. Yet when it occurs within connected discourse, its association with the surrounding words makes it unambiguous, admitting only one meaning. Likewise, the word imām (guide), as in the words of the Most High:

“And We rained upon them stones of baked clay (74). Indeed, in that are signs for those who discern (75). And indeed, it lies on a well-established road (76). Indeed, in that is a sign for the believers (77). And the people of the thicket were certainly wrongdoers (78). So We exacted retribution from them, and indeed, both lie on a clearly marked highway (79).” [Al-Hijr 74–79]

This unambiguously establishes that the “clear guide” means the clearly marked road, as the majority of scholars have stated. Ibn Qutaybah said: “A road is called an imām because the traveler follows it until he reaches his intended destination.” Ibn al-Anbārī said: “‘The two of them’—meaning Lot and Shuayb—‘are surely on a path of truth that is to be followed.’” It has also been said: “The two of them are in a clear record.”

As for these two interpretations, although everything is on a straight path, and Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has enumerated everything in the clear record, which is the Tablet