You asked for a CLEAR VERSE from the Qur'an on DIVINE LEADERSHIP (Imamah).
"And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [God] said, “Indeed, I will make you a leader (Imam) for the people.” [Abraham] said, “And of my descendants?” [God] said, “My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.” Qur’an 2:124
The correct understanding of the verse is that after Ibrahim (asws) was tried over and over again by Allah (swt), he was made a leader, an example, for all mankind (to follow). While other Prophets (asws) were sent to their specific people, Ibrahim (asws) was made a leader for all mankind, including Muslims....our Prophet (saw) was sent to all mankind as well. The sacrifice we offer during Eid al-Adha is to commemorate Ibrahim's (asws) (almost) sacrifice of his son. We pray behind
maqam Ibrahim in Mecca, etc.
what was Abraham before he was tried by his Lord? When he was tried by his Lord and he succeeded what was Abraham made?
You want us to ponder over the fact that Ibrahim (asws) was made an Imam, therefore, there is another station - the station of Imamah - which you want us to believe in. However, as usual, every Shi'i proof backfires against him or her. If we accept your interpretation (that there is a station of Imamah), the verse sets the record straight. For someone to attain Imamah, he must first attain prophethood. Ibrahim (asws) was a Prophet, then he was declared an Imam. Were any of your Imams (ra) prophets? No, therefore, that takes all 12 of your Imams (ra) out of the running for the position of Imamah.
Also, you believe that your 12 Imams (ra) are above all Prophets (asws) except Rasulullah (saw). Well, Ibrahim (asws) was a Prophet and an Imam, therefore, he (asws) trumps all your Imams (ra). Can you reconcile your dichotomies on this point?
Was he promoted, demoted or given a title/grade of a similar nature/value to what he was before he was tried?
I will let your own Imam (ra) answer it for you.
In al-Kafi 1/176, as authenticated by al-Majlisi from Zurarah: I asked abu Ja`far (as) “What’s the difference between a Messenger and a Prophet?” He replied: “A prophet can only see (the angel) in his dreams and hear their voices but he cannot see the angel while awake. A messenger can hear the voice, see in the dream as well as while awake.” I asked: ”What is the position of the Imam?” He (as) said: “He hears the voice but does not see or observe the angel.” Then he recited the following verse of the Holy Quran: {Satan would try to tamper with the desires of every Prophet or Messenger or Muhaddath whom We sent}.
Here is a summary of the differences between a Messenger (Rasool), Prophet (Nabee), and Imam (Muhaddath).
-Messengers: They see and hear the angel whether they are asleep or awake.
-Prophets: They see and hear the angel while asleep, but when they are awake they can only hear them.
-Imams: They can ONLY hear the reports, but they DO NOT see the angel whether they are asleep or awake.
According to your Imam (ra), Ibrahim (asws) was demoted whereas you want us to believe that Ibrahim (asws) was promoted. Another dichotomy you have to reconcile!