Page 33 - World Religions I - Islam

most generous," the "best in disposition," and "the bravest of men."
• Many Muslims believe that Muhammad was sinless and was protected by God from fault.
o This doctrine of infallibility (lit. "protection"; divinely bestowed freedom from error and sin) is known as
ismah. The doctrine of ismah is rejected by some Muslims who point out Qur'anic verses where Muhammad is
commanded to ask forgiveness for his sins (see Surah 48:1-2 below). Others claim that Muhammad's words
are only true and infallible insofar as they communicate the Qur'an itself, and that outside the Qur'an, his
words may be at fault.
• The concept of ismah arises from several verses in the Qur'an which states that Muhammad doesn't lie
nor is he led astray, and that he never speaks of his own inclination, but only that which is inspired by
God.85
• Sunni Muslims apply the doctrine of ismah to all the prophets of Allah, while Shi'ite Muslims regard
both the prophets and the imam leaders under divine protection from sin.
• The concept of ismah is not mentioned in the Qur'an nor the canonical Sunni Hadith. The ascription
of infallibility to the Imams is encountered as early as the first half of the 8th century (second century
AH), and it was soon extended to the prophets.86
o Throughout the Qur'an, Allah repeatedly threatened to kill or destroy Muhammad if he ever committed major
sins.
• "And when Our clear revelations are recited unto them, they who look not for the meeting with Us
say: Bring a Lecture other than this or change it. Say (O Muhammad): It is not for me to change it of
my accord. I only follow that which is inspired in me. Lo! if I disobey my Lord I fear the retribution of
an awful Day." - Yunus (Jonah) 10:15 (trans. Pickthall)
• "And indeed, they were about to tempt you away from that which We revealed to you in order to
[make] you invent about Us something else; and then they would have taken you as a friend. And
if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little. In that case We
should have made thee taste an equal portion (of punishment) in this life, and an equal portion in
death: and moreover, thou wouldst have found none to help thee against Us!" - Al-Isra' (The Night
Journey) 17:73-75 (trans. Sahih)
• "Say, 'Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.'" - Az-Zumar (The
Troops) 39:13 (trans. Sahih)
o The Qur'an and the Hadith both refute the idea that Muhammad was sinless and without fault.
• "Then have patience (O Muhammad). Lo! the promise of Allah is true. And ask forgiveness of thy sin and
hymn the praise of thy Lord at fall of night and in the early hours." - Al-Ghafir (The Forgiver) 40:55 (trans.
Pickthall) The Arabic term for "sin" in this verse and in 48:2 (see below) is dhanb. While technically
dhanb is translated as sin, Muslims classify it as a fault rather than a willful transgression (ithm). The
doctrine of ismah allows prophets to perform sinful faults but excludes them from willful transgressions.
• "Say: "I am but a man like yourselves..." Al-Kahf (The Cave) 18:110a (trans. Yusuf Ali)
• "Lo! We have given thee (O Muhammad) a signal victory, that Allah may forgive thee of thy sin that
which is past and that which is to come, and may perfect His favour unto thee, and may guide thee on
a right path." - Al-Fath (Victory) 48:1-2 (trans. Pickthall)
• The Hadith records that Muhammad prayed that his sins would be washed clean and sought
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refuge from punishment in the grave.88 89 The Arabic term for "sin" in these ahadith is khati'ah,
which is used indiscriminately for both kinds of sin: dhanb and ithm.142

o Muhammad himself claimed not to be sinless, but that his past and future sins were forgiven, which allows
him alone to intercede on behalf of believers on the Day of Resurrection.90
• This bold pretense is said to be confirmed by Jesus himself, who claimed to be unworthy to
intercede on behalf of the believers.91

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