Classes on Theology

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

2. 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?

3. 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.

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. Questions?