An Investigation of the Verses that Apparently Contradict Prophets’ Infallibility and the Interpretive Approach of Mystics and Scholastic Theologians to Face this Challenge

Some verses in the Holy Quran, either directly or indirectly, attribute errors or sins to Allah’s prophets. Based on their intellectual background, interpreters may come up with different explanations and interpretations of such verses in their efforts to make them consistent with the idea of Ismah (i.e., infallibility). The present study aimed to take a look at the interpretation of mystics and scholastic theologians by examining verses 76 to 78 in Al-An'am chapter. The study hypothesized that the definition of the concepts of prophetic mission and infallibility would differ among scholastic theologians and mystics who are equipped with intuitive tools. The results show that mystics, based on their specific ontology and epistemology, use the grand meaning and knowledge of the words to indicate that the apparent meaning of the verses should not contradict infallibility. From the mystics’ point of view, these verses are a metaphor for the prophets’ spiritual wayfaring. The stars, the moon, and the sun as mediators were removed gradually from Abraham’s (peace be upon him) path leading the removal of his self in front of the supreme Deity. On the other hand, theologians are of the opinion that the appearance of the Qur'an is proof, and one can reveal the purpose by sticking to the meaning of the Qur'an by referring the metaphorical verses to the unambiguous ones. Adopting interpretation is permitted in cases where there is valid evidence. According to theologians, the ambiguities in the story of the prophets are interpreted as abandoning the primary or as instructing others.