Reconsideration on the Extent of the Infallibility of the Prophets in the Narrations of Mohammad ibn Jahm from Imam Riḍā (as)

Sheikh Saduq has dedicated two chapters of the bookʿUyūn Akhbār al Riḍā, to the issue of 'Ismat and in each one he has narrated a narration from Imam Riḍā (as). These two narratives refer to the extent of infallibility, on a kind of relative infallibility that can be called essential infallibility. In this type of infallibility, the absolute infallibility of the prophets from committing any sin, error, mistake and forgetfulness in what is related to the message of prophethood and their mission is emphasized before and after prophethood, while at the same time, the possibility of inadvertence and error in unrelated affairs to his prophethood has been accepted even before infallibility. Although this position differs from that of most Shiite scholars who believe in absolute infallibility, however, according to some features of two narratives, such as explicitly explaining the scope of infallibility and providing an esoteric interpretation of the apparent verses on the sin and error of the prophets, with more certainty can be signified as the view approved by Imam Riḍā (as). Essential infallibility is not incompatible with the rational reasons of infallibility and is more compatible with numerous Qur'anic, narrative and historical evidences.