Interpretation for refuting doubts about the infallibility of the prophets (peace be upon them)

A comparative jurisprudential exegetical study in light of the debates of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them)

Abstract

Submission date: 22 / 01 / 2026

Acceptance date: 21 / 02 / 2026

Publication date: 30 / 03 / 2026

This research addresses the problem of taʾwīl (interpretation) in Qur’anic verses around which doubts have been raised that touch upon the infallibility of the prophets (peace be upon them)، through a comparative exegetical and juristic study in the light of the debates of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). The problem of the study lies in the reliance of some exegetical trends on the apparent meaning of the Qur’anic text in an absolute manner، which has led to theological and juristic results that contradict the principle of infallibility and negatively reflect on the probative authority of prophetic action and the status of the prophets in legislation.

The study adopted the comparative exegetical method combined with uṣūlī analysis، while benefiting from the linguistic and rhetorical approach، through examining Qur’anic examples related to the prophets Adam، Abraham، Joseph، and Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family)، and analyzing them in the light of the interpretive narrations transmitted from the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them)، particularly the debates of Imam al-Riḍā (peace be upon him)، as an infallible source in clarifying the intended Qur’anic meaning.

The study concluded that taʾwīl، according to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them)، constitutes a disciplined uṣūlī methodology that is resorted to when the apparent meaning conflicts with definitive rational certainty or decisive texts، and it is not considered a departure from the text، but rather a disclosure of its true objectives. The study also demonstrated that many of the doubts related to attributing error، falsehood، or doubt to the prophets arise from neglecting contextual and linguistic indicators، and from failing to distinguish between literal truth، equivocation، and allusion. The research concluded with the necessity of adopting infallible-guided interpretation in doctrinal issues with juristic implications، in order to preserve the principle of infallibility and ensure the soundness of legal inference.