Was Hazrat Ali Imam?
If “Imam” means the Shia concept of Imamat, according to which Imamat is a divine institution somewhat like prophethood, and Imams are appointed by God and Imamat inherits from one Imam to his son, then according to us, there is no such concept in Deen. However, Hazrat Ali was a political leader as well as a religious leader to learn religious opinions from him, yes, he was an Imam means leader.