What do the scholars of the Din and muftis of the Sacred Law state regarding the following issue: Is it possible for a Prophet to sin, and can a Prophet forgetfully perpetrate a sin – what is the Sunnī belief regarding this?
Questioner: Numan from England
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایۃ الحق والصواب
The Noble Prophets, upon whom be peace, are free from all forms of sin. Our belief regarding this is that it is not possible for any among the Noble Prophets, upon whom be peace, to commit a sin (be it minor or major), either before Prophethood or after.
Just as our beloved, dear & respected Imām Abū Hanīfah, upon whom be countless mercies, states in his Fiqh Akbar,
“والأنبياء عَلَيْهِم الصَّلَاة وَالسَّلَام كلهم منزهون عَن الصَّغَائِر والكبائر وَالْكفْر والقبائح”
“Each and every single of the Noble Prophets, upon whom be peace, is free from minor & major sins, disbelief and evil traits.”
[al-Fiqh al-Akbar, pg 2]
Likewise, it is stated in a greatly credible book on the topic of beliefs & deeds – al-Hadīqah al-Nadiyyah sharh al-Tarīqah al-Muhammadiyyah,
“(وہم) أي: الأنبیاء والرسل علیہم السلام کلہم (مبرؤون عن الکفر) باللہ تعالی (و)عن (الکذب مطلقاً)، أي: قبل النبوۃ وبعدہا العمد من ذلک والسہو والکذب علی اللہ تعالی وعلی غیرہ في الأمور الشرعیۃ والعادیۃ، (و) مبرؤون (عن الکبائر) من الذنوب (و)عن (الصغائر) منھا أیضاً)”
[al-Hadīqah al-Nadiyyah ‘alā al-Tarīqah al-Muhammadiyyah, vol 1, pg 288]
Furthermore, it is stated in Bahār-e-Sharī’at that the Prophets, upon whom be peace, are free from polytheism, committing disbelief, and all such disreputable and vile practices, and qualities which are the cause of disgust by people; such as lying & deceit, breach of trust, ignorance and all other undesirable traits.
They are also free from all such actions that are contrary to the traits of dignity, politeness and courtesy. It is unanimously accepted that they are free from all of these (and like matters) even before and after having been bestowed with Prophethood. They are also absolutely free from committing major sins. The reality is that they are free from even intending to commit even minor sins, both before and after being bestowed with Prophethood.
[Bahār-e-Sharī’at, vol 1, pg 39]
واللہ تعالی اعلم ورسولہ اعلم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم
کتبہ ابو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء قادری
Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qadiri
Translated by Haider Ali
