Infallibility of Imams: Difference between revisions

The '''infallibility of the Shiite Imams''' or '''ʿiṣma''' (Arabic:{{ia|عِصمَة الأئِمَة}}) and their immunity to any sins, errors, and forgetfulness is, according to the [[Imami]] and [[Ismaili]] perspectives, a requirement of [[Imamate]] and an attribute of the Imams. The infallibility of the Imams is an exclusive [[Twelver Shiite]] belief, upon which there is [[consensus]]. According to [[Abdollah Jawadi Amuli]], just as the [[Imams (a)]] are [[infallible]] in their conduct, [[Knowledge of Imam|their knowledge]] is also immune to error.

== Place and Significance ==

The Imam’s infallibility and the evidence for it are among the major Quranic and theological issues. According to Twelver Shias, infallibility is a requirement and attribute of Imamate, and the infallibility of the Shiite Imams is one of their fundamental beliefs. 'Allama al-Majlisi states that the Imamiyya have consensus over the infallibility of the Imams from all major and minor sins, whether intentional or unintentional, and from any errors or mistakes. It is said that Ismailis also require infallibility for Imamate. In contrast, Sunni Muslims do not require infallibility for Imamate, as they have consensus that the first three caliphs were Imams without being infallible. Instead of infallibility, they require justice. However, Sibt b. al-Jawzi, a Sunni scholar of the seventh century AH, accepts the infallibility of the Imams. Wahhabis reject the infallibility of the Shiite Imams, restricting it to prophets. As Ibn Abi al-Hadid al-Mu'tazili reports, Abu Muhammad al-Hasan b. Ahmad b. Mattawayh, a Mu'tazilite theologian of the fifth century AH, while not requiring infallibility for Imamate, believed in the infallibility of 'Ali and attributed this view to the Mu'tazilite school.

Ayatollah Sobhani suggests that the disagreement between Shiites and Sunnis stems from their differing beliefs about the Imamate and the succession of the Prophet. Shias believe that the Imamate, like prophethood, is a divine position that must be determined by God. In contrast, Sunni Muslims regard the Imamate as an ordinary position, with the Imam chosen by the people. According to Sunnis, the Imam's knowledge and justice are akin to those of ordinary individuals, and thus, the Imam is not divinely appointed.

The infallibility of the Imams is considered a theological foundation in the Shiite science of the principles of jurisprudence. This is because, by proving their infallibility, the tradition of the Imams (their speech, deeds, and approvals) is recognized as a source of inference in jurisprudential principles. However, if the Imam’s infallibility is not established, then the Imam’s tradition cannot be referenced in the deduction of religious rulings. Furthermore, it is said that, according to Shiite scholars, the criterion for the authoritativeness of consensus is the Imam’s infallibility. They believe that, as the Prophet’s successor, the Imam is infallible, and consensus is valid only when it reflects the view of the Infallible. In contrast, Sunni scholars of the principles of jurisprudence hold that the infallibility of the Islamic nation as a whole is the criterion for the authoritativeness of consensus.

The infallibility of the Imams is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran, but Shiite scholars have cited verses such as the Verse of Uli al-Amr, the Verse of al-Tathir, and the Verse of the Trial of Ibrahim, interpreting them as implying the Imams' infallibility. However, there are numerous hadiths that directly address their infallibility.

== The Concept ==

The infallibility ('isma) of the Imams refers to their immunity from any sins and mistakes. While 'isma literally means protection, Muslim theologians and philosophers have provided various definitions of the term, including the following.

Theologians’ definition: 'Adliyya (i.e., Imami and Mu'tazilite) theologians have defined infallibility in terms of lutf (grace). According to this view, infallibility is a grace bestowed upon the servant by God, enabling the servant to refrain from wrongdoing or sin. In contrast, Ash'arites have defined infallibility as God's act of not creating sins within the infallible individual.

Philosophers’ definition: Muslim philosophers define infallibility as a psychological disposition that prevents an individual from committing sins. This definition is said to be grounded in philosophical principles regarding the unity of acts, according to which human actions, by mediation of their soul with free will, are ultimately attributed to God.

== Scope ==

Imami scholars believe that the Shiite Imams, like the prophets, are infallible and immune from any major or minor sins, whether intentional or unintentional, as well as from any errors or mistakes. In their view, the Imams are infallible throughout their entire lives, both before and after assuming the Imamate. Al-Fayyad al-Lahiji asserts that, in addition to immunity from sins and mistakes, the Imams must also be free from physical, psychological, rational, and genealogical flaws. He holds that the Imam must not suffer from chronic or repulsive physical diseases, such as leprosy or muteness, or personal flaws like stinginess, miserliness, or violence, nor from mental conditions such as madness, ignorance, or forgetfulness. He also emphasizes the importance of being free from genealogical flaws, arguing that these deficiencies would dissuade people from following the Imams, which contradicts the obligation to obey them.

Al-Shaykh al-Mufid holds that it is rationally possible for the Imam to unintentionally omit a recommended practice, but he maintains that the Imams never actually omitted any recommended actions in their lives.

Abdollah Javadi Amoli divides infallibility into two types: practical and intellectual, and he believes that the Imams possessed both. In his view, just as the conduct of the Imams aligns with the truth, their knowledge is also veridical, stemming from a source where no error or forgetfulness is possible. He holds that anyone who attains the level of intellectual infallibility is immune to satanic temptations, and Satan cannot influence their thoughts.

Ali Rabbani Golpayegani, a theologian and researcher, defines practical infallibility as immunity from sins and identifies several degrees of intellectual infallibility:

Infallibility in understanding divine rulings

 

 

 

== Philosophical Arguments for Infallibility ==

== Arguments from Quranic Verses ==

=== The Trial of Ibrahim Verse ===

=== Uli al-Amr Verse ===

=== Al-Tathir Verse ===

== Appeal to Hadiths ==

=== Hadith al-Thaqalayn ===

=== Hadith al-Aman ===

=== Hadith al-Safina ===

== Origin of the Belief in Infallibility ==

== Infallibility of the Imams and Ghuluww ==

== Infallibility and the Imams’ Words and Deeds ==

== The Imams’ Confessions to Sins and Request of Forgiveness ==

== Bibliography ==