Comparative study of the impossibility of committing sins by prophets

Abstract EN

The present study investigates the claim whether or not Shiite's viewpoint is influenced by Mu'tazila on one of the issues of prophecy called the infallibility of the prophets.

We hypothesize that there are some differences and, at the same time, some common views between them; in some parts, however, Shiite's view is independent of that of the Mu'tazila.

Thus, the issue under investigation is initially examined from the viewpoint of the Shiite commentators, consisting of Shaykh Tabarsi, Abu al-Futuh al-Razi, and Fayz Kashani, and then investigated from the viewpoint of the Mu'tazila.

The brief conclusion is as follows: unlike the Mu'tazilites, Imamiyah mutakallims (scholars of Kalam), consisting of Tabarsi, Abu al-Futuh, and Fayz, believe that the prophets (Peace Be Upon Them) were innocent of any minor and major sins - neither intentional nor unintentional.

According to this view, the prophets neither committed any sins, nor did they omit any obligatory acts since this is indecent and hated and whatever is indecent is away from them and does not comply with the object and purpose of Allah by the revelation of prophets.

On the other hand, Mu'tazilites argue that although prophets, neither intentionally nor unintentionally, did not commit major sins, they might unintentionally commit minor sins, and this does not contradict the status of prophecy and their mission