A Comparative Study of the Scope of the Infallibility of the Prophet of Allah (s) according to Tafsīr Jamiʿ al-Bayān and Tafsīr Majamʿ al-Bayān

One of the tenets of Islam is the infallibility of the prophets, especially that of the Last Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family. According to the teachings of the Qur'an, Muslims believe in the inerrancy of the Messenger of God (s) but the exegetes differ in their opinions concerning the scope of infallibility. The Shiite scholars subscribing to complete infallibility of the Prophet (s), have portrayed his personality in a way that fits their religious doctrine.  Sunni scholars do not believe in complete infallibility of the Prophet (s) inasmuch as they rely on the literal meanings of some verses which is why they differ in their opinion about the infallibility of the Prophet (s) in all respects. The present article uses a descriptive-analytical method to compare Tabari's view, a Sunni commentator, with that of Tabarsi, a Shiite commentator, on the infallibility of the Seal of Prophets (s) under verses 105 and 106 of Surah al-Nisa, verse 49 of Surah al-Māʾida, verse 43 of Surah al-Tawbah, verse 52 of Surah al-Hajj, verse 37 of Surah al-Aḥzāb and verse 2 of Surah al-Fatḥ. The comparison is intended to address the question as to what the opinion of the two exegetes concerning the scope of the Infallibility of the Prophet (s) is.  After examining the two views, it became clear that Tabari, despite having an independent school, accepts the infallibility of the Messenger of God (s). But he does not consider him infallible in all respects since he interprets some verses based on their literal meanings, which is why he believes that the Prophet (s) may err. If he happens to make a mistake or commit a sin, he should ask for forgiveness.  But Tabarsi criticizes the opposing views by accepting complete infallibility - from sin and error. He maintains that the Messenger of Allah (s) is infallible throughout his life.