Advanced search
Visit
10800
Last Updated: 2010/12/21
Summary of question
Can ordinary human beings be infallible or not?
question
Can ordinary human beings be infallible or not?
Concise answer

The word infallible (ma’sum) means protection, to be secured, safety from committing sins and forgetfulness. Infallibility has levels and stages from which the highest is reserved for Prophets and imams. According to the Qur’an and traditions it is specific just for them due to their roles as leaders of humanity and God’s caliph on the earth. As for the rest of humans, although a few may be able to acquire infallibility to a certain extent, they cannot reach their level and aren't divinely appointed like the prophets and imams. However, they can still be identified; some of their visible effects and signs may include: performing miracles and awareness of other people’s intentions, etc.

Detailed Answer

Humans are a creation with the ability to choose and have been created in a manner that if they choose righteousness, attach to faith and noble deeds, and refrain from divine prohibitions, they can reach the level of the caliphate of God; meaning that they have acquired all the perfections possible for a ‘human’ and lack all worldly and carnal defects and flaws, bringing them Wilayat Takwini and the ability to have an effect on the hearts of others.[1]

Choosing the right based upon knowledge and strong will lies in following one’s intellect, fitrah (god-given nature) and religion. However much deeper and stronger the knowledge and will of a person becomes, the more they will refrain from sins and errors. The reason for forgetfulness is lack of the attention and focus. If for one the divine prohibitions have importance and one is among the people who are in continuous remembrance of God, even forgetfulness can't cause them to enter into sins and evil deeds. This is the station which infallibility is comprised of and one reaches the station of Wilayat and Divine Vicegerency. Since the divine prophets and apostles are the ones to be entrusted with divine revelation and have been recognized as the leaders and role models of mankind, they must be at the peak of this station for the following reasons:

  1. So they can relay the complete and perfect message to humans
  2. The people can trust and have faith in their words and actions
  3. The people can take their actions and morals as role models for them so that they can train themselves and reach perfection and the station of divine caliphate. By continuing this path, they will reach their goal and reach the station of ‘Meeting God’.

For these reasons, under the blessings of God, along with the freedom to choose from their childhood till the end of their life, they are protected from sins, errors and mistakes. Infallibility needs to be at the highest level in them so people can trust and they can remain a proof on the people without excuses and other people can be encouraged to continue this path.

So every human has the ability to traverse the path to infallibility, the station of Wilayat, and divine caliphate. However much one struggles and practices piety, the more blessings will be given and the more God will assist them. God has promised that: Practice taqwa so that God may teach you.[2] He also says: However much one struggles in Our way, We will open up ways for him and God is the virtuous.[3] God also says if one increases their faith, He will give them the criterion (ability to determine truth from falsehood) and forgive your faults and sins.[4] He also says: Whoever-be it female or male- is with faith and does righteous acts, He will give them a noble life (high than the normal life of a good person) and will forgive them and will reward them more than the actions that they have done.[5]

It has come in a Hadith Qudsi that: If my servant is occupied by me and it overcomes him, I will give him the strength and joy for My remembrance. He will become My lover and I will become his lover and I will remove the barriers between Me and him. When the people forget and cannot recall matters, he will remember and be able to recall (He will not be vulnerable to sins and mistakes). If he speaks, he will speak like the prophets, who are the highest individuals that can ever be found in all times. When I am about to send my punishment on the people, I remember them and do not send My punishment on the people of the earth.[6]

So, as was mentioned above, in addition to all the intellectual and transmitted proofs that back it, the concept of the infallibility in the prophets and imams (peace be upon them) is one of total necessity.[7] However, it is not specific to them and each person according to their struggle, piety, knowledge and will, can acquire it so that its signs can be manifested through them.

In addition to these signs that are manifested in the Prophets and Imams, they are also appointed by God to the station of Prophethood or Guardianship. This signifies that their infallibility is at the highest point possible for man, otherwise it would contradict the divine wisdom and knowledge, the reason for prophethood and guardianship which is the guidance and nurturing of humans and propagating and defending the religion of God.[8] As for how to be able to distinguish those other than the prophets and imams who may bear infallibility to some extent:

  1. Refraining from sins in places and situations in which normal people will usually be vulnerable and sin. Ex: When taking high posts, positions or popularity, or vast amounts of wealth.
  2. The ability to perform miracle-like and extraordinary actions. Ex: Awareness of others’ intentions, curing the sick, easing the difficulties or hardships which are beyond the capacity of normal humans.
  3. The acceptance and answering of their prayers or curse.
  4. The influence on people’s hearts and being able to change them.
  5. Calmness and peace of mind and taking the right stance in personal and/or social affairs.
  6. The ability to thwart and facilitate divine punishment or rewards as a result of becoming a medium through which Allah’s grace flows through.

It is important to keep in mind that the Prophet (peace upon him and his family) and the imams have an elevated station that is not possible for anyone to reach. Among the prophets themselves there are stages and levels. The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his family) and his family are at the peak. The Prophet is the most elevated followed by the Imams, the rest of the prophets and then mankind.

There is an ascending level of infallibility and divine caliphate is comprised of multifold stages and is not planar or on the same level. Thus, to be able to distinguish who is higher, is something only for those possessing divine knowledge.[9]

Sources

  1. Holy Qur’an
  2. Jawadi Amuli, Abdullah; Tahrir tamhid al-Qawaid, Al-Zahra Publications, Volume 1, Page 1372, Tehran.
  3. Jawadi Amuli, Abdullah; Wilayat dar Qur’an, Isra, Volume 1, 1379, Qum.
  4. Jawadi Amuli, Abdullah; Hikmat ‘Ibadaat, Isra, Volume 2, 1378, Qum.
  5. Husain Tehrani, Muhammad Husain; Tawhid ‘Ilmi wa ‘Ayni, Allamah Tabatabai Publications, Volume 2, 1417, Mashad.
  6. Sadr, Ayatullah Muhammad Baqir; Khilafat Insan wa Ghawahi Payambaran, Translated by Jamal Musawi, 1359, Tehran.
  7. Kiyashmiskhi, Abulfadhl; Wilayat dar ‘Irfan, Dar al-Sadiqin, Volume 1, 1378, Tehran.
  8. Mutaharri, Murtadha; Insan Kamil, Sidra Publications, Volume 8, 1372, Qum.
  9. Mutaharri, Murtadha; Wilaha wa Wilayat’ha, Office of Islamic Publications, Qum.
  10. Maliki Tabrizi, Jawad; Risalah Liqa Ullah, Volume 2, 1379, Tehran.

[1] See the following articles of this website: Becoming Allah’s beloved one, Salvation and man’s perfection, Nearness to Allah….

[2] Baqarah:282, Taghabon:11.

[3] Ankabut:69.

[4] Anfal:29.

[5] Nahl:97.

[6] Quoted from: Hoseini Tehrani, Mohammad Husein, Towhide Elmi va Amali, pg. 337.

[7] See: Misbah Yazdi, Mohammad Taqi,  Rah va Ravesh’shenasi, pp. 147-212.

[8] See: Misbah Yazdi, Mohammad Taqi,  Rah va Ravesh’shenasi, pp. 147-212.

[9] See the following articles of this website: The infallibility of the prophets from the Quran’s perspective, The infallibility and sin of the prophets according to the literal meaning of Quranic verses.

Question translations in other languages
Comments
Number of comments 0
Please enter the value
Example : Yourname@YourDomane.ext
Please enter the value
Please enter the value

Thematic Category

Random questions

  • What is the veracity of the supplication “Allahumma kun li-waliyyik al-Hujjatibnil Hasan… and how do we know that it is authentic?
    12403 Contextual study 2017/05/22
    This holy supplication has been reported with some variation in different Shia sources including the book of Al-Kafi. It is good to recite this dua for the wellbeing of Imam of Time, may Allah hasten his reappearance. Generally speaking, the different parts of this dua indicate the ...
  • Is it true that every human being has a twin or an associate?
    11775 Contextual study 2015/06/09
    As for whether human beings have twins or not, there are a few narrations. It has been reported that God, the Exalted, told Iblis: I will not give Adam a child except that I will give the like of it to you. Every human being has a ...
  • Was the Prophet of Islam (S) a prophet at birth?
    7536 وحی، نبوت و عصمت 2018/10/22
    The prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (S) can be considered as having two aspects: 1. The first aspect of prophethood is tantamount to prophetic mission and the beginning of a procedure which involved promulgation and propagation of the religion as well as the establishment of the ...
  • Is it possible to see God? If so, then how?
    9594 Traditional 2010/04/08
    According to both Islamic sources and the intellect, God cannot be seen by the physical eye neither in this life nor in the next. However He can be seen through the eyes of the heart. Up to each given individual’s capacity, after purifying their souls, and engaging in prayers and ...
  • What is the Islamic law about pictures ascribed to the Imams (a.s.)?
    9563 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/10/29
    What follows are answers given to the above question by the religious authorities (grand jurists):Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah grant him long life): As per the Islamic law, there is no problem in it by itself provided that it is ...
  • What is the Maqam Ibrahim? What is its purpose?
    41598 Traditional 2010/02/14
    One of the clear signs in Makkah (as a verse in the Quran tells us) is the Maqam Ibrahim where Prophet Ibrahim stood.Regarding the meaning and interpretation of “Maqam Ibrahim”, some believe that it is equal to all of Hajj. Others ...
  • Are the punishments for some sins harsher and greater by many folds than the punishments for some other sins?
    7273 Theoretical 2012/01/04
    It is inferred from the Holy Qur'an and traditions of the Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) that there are different degrees of torments in hell, proportioned to the different degrees of sins on earth. The Quran considers associating partners with God (shirk) as the greatest sin. Also, God warns to punish the sinners ...
  • Why does the verdict of a marja become invalid after his death?
    8184 Philosophy of Religion and Law 2007/04/08
    It must be known that ijtihad has different elements: some are firm (ex. Quran, prophetic traditions, intellect…) and others are changeable (ex. Subjects and their conditions, knowledge and the understanding of the marja himself). A mujtahid must always be aware of the changeable elements. Hence, it ...
  • What is Islam’s ruling on listening to music?
    14879 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/11/21
    Music is essentially sound, and watching it (without listening) has no ruling; the only ruling there is, has to do with producing and the sale of instruments, teaching and learning, playing, and listening to it. Most scholars consider listening to and producing lahwi music to be haram and ...
  • How come although all of us gave an oath in the Alame-Arwah, there are still people who have religions other than Islam?
    30866 Traditional 2009/03/14
    In our religious texts and scriptures, a realm or world by the name of Dharr has been spoken of. There are differences between the scholars regarding what this realm exactly is. Nevertheless, the viewpoint which seems to be the best of all is the one that says Allah ...

Popular