It often happens that when people read a discussion about the apostles they feel that infallibility is a status that is bestowed by God and compulsory for them and whoever attains this position becomes free from mistakes and sins. So this infallibility cannot be taken as their attribute because it is a duty imposed by God. This is why the scope of committing sins is non-existent and what is impossible to done is no achievement or praiseworthy attribute. If we cannot oppress those who will live a hundred years after us is nothing praiseworthy because it is impossible to be done.

The Answer (contd.).

It should be clear that the doubt is not on the infallibility of the apostles but is about whether this infallibility is praiseworthy for them or not.

Some premises that can dispel such doubts will be presented hereunder:

 There is no doubt that infallibility is found in them but it is considered to be imposed on them just as a disease affects a person through various reasons and viruses and the sick person has no say about it. But we know from the previous discussions that the infallible ones are infallible because of there knowledge and piety just as we are able to abstain from some sins because of our scanty knowledge. There is no compulsion about this on us.

So if a person has all the information and he is aware of their negative effects then how will he not save himself from them?

So it is proven that their infallibility will be included in their praiseworthiness because the thing that dispels the evil is their knowledge of how to abstain from sins and avoid their ill affects. This is the power that they use. There is no compulsion in it.

It is therefore imperative for us to recognize their knowledge and their mode of guidance through which they abstain from greater and lesser sins and evil deeds.

Is not the abstinence from such deeds a great attribute for teaching and nurturing?

In other words the abstinence of sins by the apostles is not an inherent trait but acquired. We know the meaning of compulsion and power of acquisition. The example of “ Mohaalul Aadi” is that if a person gives any intoxicant to the a respectable priests and he drinks it in front of the congregation then this will be considered as something impossible, not intellectual, and it is no secret.

In Short:

It is praiseworthy for an apostle of God to have certitude and awareness or enlightenment and it becomes the cause of other praises. Indeed this is the stage of infallibility. (Reflect Deeply)

If it is question as to how and from where they acquired this certitude and enlightenment then we will say from the grace of God. This did not come to them without purpose but is came because they had the capability for them, according to the law that has been mentioned in the Qura’n about Abraham. He did not attain the position of Imamat until he was severely tested.

Verse 124 of Surah Baqarah:

“And remember when the Lord of Abraham tried him with certain commands, He said, “verily I am going to make you a leader (Imam) of men.”

This means that Abraham solved this issue through his determination and authority and then was he able to reach this great status granted by God.

This has also been said about Apostle Joseph as in verse 22 of Surah Yusuf that says:

“And when he attained his manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge; this is who We reward those who do god deeds.”

It is only reached after attaining the physical and spiritual perfection and the capacity to receive the revelations.

Indeed the sentence, “And so we bestow our grace on those who do goodness”. This is a valid proof of our purpose because the Qura’n says that deeds of Joseph made him capable of this great God given status.

Just as there are des c r i p tions that clarify the truth about Moses where in it is said in verse 40 of Surah Ta-Ha: (1)

“Then you stayed a number of years with the people of Madyan; then you came here for the fixed term I had ordained for you O Moses”

It is evident that capability and wisdom is present in those great personalities but they are definitely not because of compulsion but they are about their total capacity and determination. Those who benefit from these attributes do not have put any extra effort for the same and they attain the great station.

In another manner the apostles are endowed with such stations because they are tested seriously or in other words God questions those who are given such elevated positions very severely and they are also tested very hard for their capacity to fulfill this position.

The other answer to this question is that the duty of the apostles is to save themselves from sins and mistakes as given by God so that they are able to acquire the trust of the people and can be the beacon of guidance for them. This is not diluted by the “Tarki Aula” or oversights that do not befit their status though they are not regarded as sins for them. All this is very evident to them.

The abstinence from sin is praiseworthy for them even if it is acquired.

 Many people present the view that God has promised severe punishment and failure in tests for apostles if they are remorseful in their tribulations.

This doubt is about their oversights. Which worthiness is decreased in the matter of truth if they do not abstain from oversights (Tarki Aula)?

Indeed it is praiseworthy that the apostles are questioned about this great station and their abstinence and about “Tarki Aula” or oversights though rarely commit them and this is the proof that their deeds are not done under compulsion.

1. The sentence, “Thumma type Ta-Ha 40 is often explained as the capacity to inherit the “Wasiyat” and sometimes explained as des c r i p tion of the times or that they made themselves capable to attain the mission of apostleship.