Were the prophets such as Christ infallible in Islam's point of view?
In Islam, prophets are regarded as infallible in their role as messengers of Allah. This infallibility is rooted in the belief that they are protected by Allah from committing sins and errors in delivering His message. The Qur'an states: Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spake, while some of them He exalted (above others) in degree; and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) and We supported him with the holy Spirit.
2:253. This highlights the unique status of prophets, including Jesus (peace be upon him), who is given special support and proofs of Allah's sovereignty.
Furthermore, in Shia belief, it is emphasized that Allah has firmly established the prophets upon their prophethood so that they never revert. This is articulated in Al-Kafi, which states: Allah has firmly established the prophets upon their prophethood so that they never revert; He has firmly established the successors upon their trusteeship so that they never revert; and He has firmly established some believers upon faith so that they never revert.
Al-Kafi 1:1478. This indicates that the prophets, due to their unique status, are protected from straying from their divine mission.
Thus, both Sunni and Shia perspectives affirm the notion of prophetic infallibility, underscoring their critical role in guiding humanity without error or sin in their prophetic duties.
Sources
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2:253 · Al-Baqara
2:253 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
۞ تِلْكَ ٱلرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَٰتٍۢ ۚ وَءَاتَيْنَا عِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ وَأَيَّدْنَٰهُ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ ۗ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا ٱقْتَتَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْهُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَٰتُ وَلَٰكِنِ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ ءَامَنَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن كَفَرَ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا ٱقْتَتَلُوا۟ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ
Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spake, while some of them He exalted (above others) in degree; and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) and We supported him with the holy Spirit. And if Allah had so wiled it, those who followed after them would not have fought one with another after the clear proofs had come unto them. But they differed, some of them believing and some disbelieving. And if Allah had so willed it, they would not have fought one with another; but Allah doeth what He will.
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Al-Kafi 1:1478
Al-Kafi · Book 1, Hadith 1478 · Narrated by Abu Abdullah (a.s.)
Allah has firmly established the prophets upon their prophethood so that they never revert; He has firmly established the successors upon their trusteeship so that they never revert; and He has firmly established some believers upon faith so that they never revert. Among them are those who were loaned faith as a loan, and when they persistently called and pleaded in their supplication, they died upon faith.
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