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Question:What is the opinion of Shi`ah about the infallibility of the Imams?
Answer: Shi`ah believe that Imams as Prophet (s.a.w) should be innocent of all the errors and sins–outwardly or inwardly- f r o m the birth to death, intentionally or unintentionally, and also should be innocent of any mistake, error, slip and forgetfulness. Because Imams are the keepers and protectors of religious Law (shari`ah) and the preservers of the Orders (Ahkam), and their place is also the same as the place of the Prophet (s.a.w), and we accept the infallibility of Imams for the same reason that we accept the Prophet’s infallibility (s.a.w), and there isn’t any difference in this connection, since the Book of God, the Prophet’s sunnah and wisdom even confirms it.
God says: “Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness f r o m you, O people of the House! and to purify you a (thorough) purifying”(1) so, if keeping away the uncleanness which means to keep away all of the impurities and to purify all the sins does not mean infallibility, then what will be the infallibility?
The Exalted God says in another verse: “Surely those who guard (against evil), when a visitation f r o m the Satan afflicts them they become mindful, then lo! They see.”(2)
In this verse it has been said that if Satan wants to deceive a pious believer, God will protect him f r o m Satan so, he remembers God immediately, observes the truth and follows it. How would it be possible that those whom the Glorious God chose and kept away uncleanness and impurities f r o m and also purified were deceived by Satan?
The Exalted God says: “then We gave the Book for an inheritance to those whom We chose f r o m among our servants.”(3)
Therefore, he who has been chosen by God is innocent of any mistakes, undoubtedly. There are other verses in this connection, but we make it enough to mention. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: “o people! I leave two things among you that if you grasp them, you will never be misled: the Book of God and My Household.”(4)
This tradition proves that the Imams of the Household of the Prophet (s.a.w.) are innocent since, firstly the Book of God has been protected f r o m any mistakes and a falsehood can never reach it and it is the Word of God and whoever doubts it is an unbeliever.
Secondly whoever grasps these two things (the Book of God and the Household of the Prophet (s.a.w.)), will not be misled, consequently it shows that both the Book of God and the Household of the Prophet (a.s.) are innocent of any mistakes and errors.
In another tradition, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “My Household is like the ship of Noah; whoever embarks upon it will be saved and whoever turns away f r o m it will be drowned.”(5)
This tradition also proves that the Imams of the Household of the Prophet (s.a.w.) are innocent of any mistakes and whoever embarks upon their ship will be saved and whoever turns away f r o m it will be drowned.
In another tradition His Highness says that: “whoever wishes that his life and death be like mine and enter paradise which my God promised that it will be eternal, after me, should accept the authority (wilayah) of Ali (a.s.) and his descendants because these people don’t mislead you.”(6)
This tradition also proves that Imams of the Household of the Prophet (s.a.w.) that is Imam Ali (a.s) and his descendants (a.s), are innocent of any mistakes for they don’t mislead people and it is natural that whoever makes mistakes can not guide people. Also the prophet (s.a.w) says: “I am a Warner, and Ali is a leader, and after me those who want to be guided, will be led by you, o Ali!”(7)
Therefore, it will be cleared that this tradition also proves Imam’s infallibility. Thus all of these quotations f r o m Qur´an and Sunnah denote that Imams must be innocent. Does wisdom refuse to accept the infallibility of a person who has been chosen by God as a leader of People? Surely it can not be acceptable. On the contrary, wisdom accepts their infallibility as an indisputable fact. Since he who has been chosen as a leader of human beings can not be an ordinary person who makes mistakes , has a bad memory and commits sins.(8)
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1- Qur´an- Surah 33: 33
2- Qur´an- Surah7: 201
3- Qur´an- Surah 35: 30
4- Sahih of Tirmizi (5), p.621.
5- Mustadrik of Hakim (2), p. 343, Kanz al-`Ummal (12), p.95, Sawa`iq Al- Muhraqah by ibn Hajar, p.186.
6- Kanz al-`Ummal (11), p.611, The History of ibn `Asakir (2), p.99, Mustadrik of Hakim (3), p. 128.
7- Tafsir of Tabari (13), p.108, Tafsir of Razi (5), p.271, Yanabi` al-Mawaddah , p.130, Mustadrik of Hakim (3), p.129.
8- With truthful people, p.301.
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