The Restriction and Expansion of the Infallibility of Prophets

Considering the appearance of some Quranic verses from which the impurity of the Divine messengers can be inferred, the restriction and expansion of the infallibility of prophets is a new outlook on the innocence of the Divine prophets. This theory aims at safeguarding the boundary of infallibility and rejecting the arguments which result in considering prophets sinner and fallible. In this theory, purity of prophets is accepted without a show of a doubt and their behavioral conducts are analyzed assuming that they are infallible. If such structural indicators of infallibility as the infallible’s Divine inspiration, willpower, and eschatological understanding are dynamic and hence there is a good background for practicing infallibility, prophets will be in a state of expansion of infallibility, otherwise a state of restriction of infallibility will govern their lives. A restricted sate of infallibility is a condition in which prophets face some limitations in enjoying conveniences of infallibility and it does not denote they are sinner and fallible. This state may turn to an expanded state of infallibility through repentance. If a prophet takes a stance or carries out an action in a restricted sate of infallibility, this action is ‘the best choice’ as it is conducted in a state of infallibility and God’s expostulation in such situations can be interpreted esoterically. In fact, prophets’ seeking God’s forgiveness following such events is aimed at achieving a high degree of infallibility and an expanded state of infallibility.