Imam’s Infallibility in Sahifah Sajjadiyyah (An Examination)

In its general tradition, ‘ismah (infallibility) means being free from sins. Common people might think Allah has created holy Imams in such a way that they fail to commit sin. Due to their lack of the faculty of ‘ismah, ordinary people are prone to commit sin and thus they are treated unfairly. There are three terms in the definition of ‘ismah: grace, firm habit, and mental form of knowledge. All the three terms are spotted in Imam Sajjad’s words. The current research goes to show which one of the three was mostly intended by the holy Imam. The outcome of this essay proves that ‘ismah is a God-given faculty and as a gerund it means the product of holding fast to the rope of God. As an intrinsic disposition, ‘ismah is granted by Allah to the infallible; it is the very gifted knowledge and insight that helps imams be aware of the consequences of sins and thus do merely what is good. The faculty of ‘ismah is accomplished by the help of Holy Spirit.