Sheikh Ṣaduq's Criterion of Immoderate Beliefs

Some Iranians who follow some western thinkers show special interest in the issue of desecration (desacralization) of world and religion. Among the things which has been desecrated is the position of Imam. Some writers claim that the scholars of the second and third century ('AH'), including Sheikh Ṣaduq (May God have mercy on him) rejects the idea of the superiority of Imams over others, and that earlier scholars have mercy on him), as well as the Imams themselves have reduced position of Imamate to "righteous scholars". They also claim that whoever disagree with this view is considered extremist and has to be excluded from Shia society. Having studied the applications and characteristics of extremists mentioned in Sheikh Ṣaduq's works to find the limits of immoderate beliefs in his thought this paper concludes that, contrary to these writer's claim, Sheikh Ṣaduq confirms that many of the characteristics of the Household of the prophet show their superiority over others although he thinks that the prophet is liable to distraction.