Classes on Theology Sheikh Jaffer H. Jaffer Masumeen Islamic Centre May 1 st, 2012 Week Eleven

Prophetic Infallibility Last week: –Proved the necessity and need of revelation –The benefits of commissioning the Prophets This week: –What guarantees do we have that the message brought by the Prophets are accurate? How are we to make sure that the message has not been altered and corrupted?

Prophetic Infallibility Our understanding of Allah SWT –He must provide us with the best tools to reach perfection It would contradict His Wisdom if He did not intend for His message to be delivered to His servants in the most accurate form (al-Anfaal 8:42) It would contradict His endless knowledge if He does not know how and through whom to send His message to keep in intact (al-Anaam 124) It would contradict His infinite power if He cannot choose the suitable messengers and protect them against the attacks of Satan (al-Jinn 26-28) –Thus God’s knowledge, power and wisdom require that His message be delivered to His servants in the most accurate and perfect form.

Prophetic Infallibility Different Groups of Infallibles: –Prophets – our discussion –Other than Prophets – The Holy Household AS –Angels Rather they are His honored servants They do not venture to speak ahead of Him, and they act by His command (al-anbiya 26-27) Who do not disobey whatever Allah has commanded them, and carry out what they are commanded (at- Tahreem 6)

Prophetic Infallibility A few important points to understand: –A better translation of ‘Ismah is protection –Infallibility of the Prophets does not merely mean the lack of committing sins An innate power which protects them from committing sins –This power is instilled only with God’s help

Prophetic Infallibility Proofs for the infallibility of the Prophets: –Intellectual Proofs: The main objective of the Prophets’ mission is to guide man towards the truth –If these representatives of God do not obey the Divine instructions themselves, people will doubt the entire message The Prophets are also responsible for educating (tarbiyah) –Therefore their actions must be immune from any mistakes

Prophetic Infallibility Proofs for the infallibility of the Prophets: –Traditional Proofs: Allah SWT describes a group of people as being ‘mukhlas’ – purified by God and for the sake of God (Saad 82-83) Allah SWT has ordered and made obligatory unconditional obedience to the Prophets (An-Nisa 64) Allah SWT has given Divine Responsibility those who are not involved in ‘cruelty’ (al-Baqara 124)

Prophetic Infallibility Answering some doubts: –Does an infallible person deserve reward? –Why do Infallible Prophets and Imams confess to committing sins? –How does Prophetic Infallibility make sense in the story of Prophet Adam AS? (al-Baqara 35) –وَ قُلْنَا يََادَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَ زَوْجُكَ الجَْنَّةَ وَ كلاَُ مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَ لَا تَقْرَبَا هَاذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ –Musa AS killing Qitbi (Shu’ara 20) –قَالَ فَعَلْتُهَا إِذًا وَ أَنَا مِنَ الضَّالِّينَ

Questions?