An Investigation of Infallibility of Prophets from the Viewpoints of Ayatollah Sheikh Jafar Sobhani and Sheikh Mohammad Ali Sabooni

Sheikh Mohammad Ali Sabooni and Ayatollah Sobhani, as two of the most influential figures and contemporary scholars of the Islamic world, have adopted different views on the infallibility of the prophets. The scope, foundations, and boundaries of the infallibility of the prophets are among the topics that have an impact on sciences such as jurisprudence, hadith, and ethics, because this theological presupposition can change the way we deal with hadiths and issue of rulings, and also each theory in infallibility presents a special image of the Prophet. Therefore, it was necessary to talk about the infallibility of the prophets, and the aim of this study was to analyze the various works of professor Sobhani and Sabuni and to extract their various claims. According to professor Sobhani, the prophets were infallible in various fields from the beginning of their childhood to the end of their lives. Saboni also believes that prophets have infallibility from adulthood to the rest of their lives, but they may make mistakes before their prophethood. On the other hand, professor Sobhani believes that the prophets are also infallible from mistakes and do not make mistakes in any way. The differences between professor Sobhani and Saboni on the subject of the infallibility of the prophets make it difficult to draw a clear cut boundary. Therefore, in this endeavor, a critical approach has been taken regarding to the claims of both sides and based on the theological principles of Shiism, the Sabooni’s approach has been criticized and the Sobhani’s view has been accepted. In addition, we have shown in some cases that the viewpoint of professor Sobhani is prior to the view of other Shiite scholars. Afterwards, the foundations of each view was extracted and compared with the works of other thinkers. Finally, after analyzing the claims, it was concluded that the Sabooni’s approach was incompatible with the principles of Islam and had no dignity.