How does the Shi'ite view of Infallibility of the Prophets and the Imams reconcile with the examples in Qur'an?
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As I understand, the subject of infallibility of the Prophets (peace be upon all of them) is dealt differently in Sunni and Shi'ite theology. I believe it is necessary to present my understanding of both views before I can ask the question.
> **Sunni View**
>
> We believe that the Prophets are infallible with respect to all they
> conveyed from Allah, in word, deed and what they approved of. The
> majority of Sunni scholars also viewed that the prophets were
> protected from major sins but not from minor sins. With regard to
> minor sins, these might have been committed by them. However, if they
> committed such actions, they were not left to persist, rather, Allah
> (Exalted be He) pointed that out to them and they hastened to repent.
> We can witness that in several ayah in Qur'an:
>
> The Story of Prophet Adam (عليه السلام):
>
> > ... And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred. Then his Lord chose him and
> > turned to him in forgiveness and guided [him]. **[\[Surah Taha 20:121-122\]][2] **
>
> Or Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) also committed a mistake of killing an
> Egyptian man. In Verse **28:16 ** of the Quran, Allah Almighty
> says:
>
> > He said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me," and
> > He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
>
> And there are similar mention about Prophet Dawud (عليه السلام)
> and in many Ayahs, Allah corrects Prophet Muhammad (صلّى الله عليه
> وآله وسلّم) like in Surah At-Tahrim 66:1 or Surat 'Abasa or
> Surah Al-Anfal . It is also worth mentioning the hadith of the
> pollination of palm tree where the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله
> وسلّم) made a mistake in worldly affair.
In my perspective (correct me if I am wrong), the following is the Shi'ite view regarding the Prophets (peace be upon all of them) and *also*, the Imams (including the twelve Imams).
> **Shi'ite View:**
>
> - The Prophets and Imams are free and protected from *both* major and minor sins.
> - The Imams are free from errors.
> - The Imams do not make mistake with respect to worldly affairs.
> - The Imams do not forget anything.
How does the above presented ayah reconcile with the Shi'ite view?
Asked by Abdullah
(14883 rep)
Sep 18, 2012, 08:27 PM
Last activity: May 4, 2016, 07:06 AM
Last activity: May 4, 2016, 07:06 AM