The Shia Belief in the Infallibility of Their Imams: A Rational Critique

Adapted from Dr. Ahmad bin Saad bin Hamdan al-Ghamidi رحمه الله’s book: A Rational Dialogue with the Twelver Sect on Fundamental Issues
Translated by: Shafiq ur Rahman Shah Sahib

❀ Shia Claim: Imams Are Infallible (Ma‘soom ‘Anil-Khata’)​

The Twelver Shia (Ithna ‘Ashari) firmly believe that their Imams are free from:

• All major and minor sins
• Errors, forgetfulness, and mistakes
• Before and after assuming Imamate

Shia scholar Majlisi says:
“Know that the Imamiyyah Shia unanimously agree that their Imams are protected from all sins—major and minor, intentional or accidental, and even from forgetfulness. Nothing sinful occurs from them under any circumstance.”
(Bihar al-Anwar 25/211; also see: Awail al-Maqalat: 65, Mir’at al-‘Uqool 4/352)


He further states:
“Our scholars unanimously agree that Prophets and Imams are infallible from all sins—before and after prophethood or Imamate—even from birth until death.”
(Bihar al-Anwar 17/108)

Contemporary Shia scholar Muhammad Rida al-Muzaffar reiterates:
“Our belief is that the Imam is like a Prophet, protected from all sin, error, and forgetfulness—intentionally or unintentionally—from childhood until death.”
(Aqa'id al-Imamiyyah: 104)

❀ The Core Question: Is This Claim True or False?​

Such a claim must be measured against historical evidence and rational consistency. Let us start with the life of Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه, the first Imam according to the Shia.

❀ Ten Historical Contradictions with the Claim of Infallibility​

Despite being considered infallible, Ali رضي الله عنه:
① Pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه after the Prophet ﷺ's death
② Prayed behind him for his entire caliphate
③ Married a female captive from the wars Abu Bakr led (Shia claim those wars were invalid)
④ Affirmed the legitimacy of the caliphates of Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman رضي الله عنهم
⑤ Pledged allegiance to Umar رضي الله عنه and prayed behind him
⑥ Advised Umar on state affairs (as per Nahj al-Balaghah)
⑦ Named his sons Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman
⑧ Gave his daughter Umm Kulthoom in marriage to Umar رضي الله عنه
⑨ Accepted the Shura (consultation council) formed by Umar for electing the next Caliph
⑩ Pledged allegiance to Uthman رضي الله عنه and prayed behind him as well


➤ If Ali رضي الله عنه was indeed infallible, and these acts are affirmed, then the claim of divinely mandated Imamate is invalid.
➤ If these acts were errors, then Ali رضي الله عنه was not infallible. According to Shia doctrine, one who errs in such matters cannot be an Imam.

❀ Rational Conclusion: Ali Never Claimed to Be a Divine Imam​

• If Ali رضي الله عنه had been divinely appointed, he would have declared it, not silently accepted three Caliphs ahead of him.
• Shia doctrine requires that rejecting Imamate or acknowledging a false Imam is kufr. By that logic, Ali’s actions would not fit the criteria of infallibility.

This proves Ali رضي الله عنه never believed in the concept of divine Imamate.

❀ Hasan ibn Ali رضي الله عنه Cedes the Caliphate​

• Hasan رضي الله عنه, the second Shia Imam, relinquished the caliphate to Mu‘awiyah رضي الله عنه.
• If Mu‘awiyah was a usurper and disbeliever (as per Shia belief), Hasan committed a grave injustice.
• If this was an error, he is not infallible.
• If he was infallible, then Mu‘awiyah's rule must have been legitimate, contradicting Shia belief.

❀ Imam Ali al-Ridha Accepts Vice Regency from al-Ma'mun​

• The 8th Shia Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha accepted to be al-Ma'mun’s crown prince.
• This act legitimized the Abbasid caliphate, which Shia believe was usurped.
• Again, if this was correct, the Shia concept of exclusive divine Imamate fails.
• If it was a mistake, then he was not infallible, and thus not an Imam.
  

❀ A Doctrine of Endless Contradictions​

The Shia doctrine of infallibility collapses when tested against:

• Verified historical records
• Rational integrity
• Internal theological consistency
  

❀ Final Reflections: Time to Reconsider​

Is it sensible to submit your intellect to those who have entrapped you with unsustainable claims?

• This life is short
• The afterlife is eternal
• Accountability is certain

We beseech Allah to guide us to the truth and protect us from falsehood.
آمين يا رب العالمين

❀ Two Final Reminders​

1. Love for Ahl al-Bayt is Part of Faith
Ahl al-Sunnah loves the family of the Prophet ﷺ. Sending blessings upon them is obligatory in prayer. But we reject fabricated narratives and irrational dogmas falsely attributed to them.

2. Truth is Recognized Through Evidence
We urge critical reading, such as Ayatollah al-‘Uzma al-Barqai’s book Kashr al-Sanam, where he exposes the internal contradictions of Twelver Shia doctrine.

May this rational discussion awaken sincere seekers of truth.