Were the Prophets Infallible from Major and Disgraceful Sins?

❖ Did the Noble Prophets Commit Major Sins?​

Source: Fatawa Ameenpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri

❖ Question:​

Did the Prophets (peace be upon them) ever commit major sins?

❖ Answer:​

The Prophets of Allah (peace be upon them) were divinely protected (maʿṣūm) from:


① Major sins (kabāʾir),
② Disgraceful minor sins (ṣaghāʾir al-radīlah),
③ Anything that would diminish their noble status,
④ And persisting in any minor sin.


They were also infallible in delivering the message (tablīgh).
This is established through the consensus of the Ummah and the agreement of the scholars.

❖ Scholarly Consensus:​

❀ Imam al-Wāḥidī رحمه الله (d. 468 AH) said:


"إن الأنبياء صلوات الله عليهم معصومون عن الكبائر، وذلك بإجماع العلماء."
"The Prophets (peace be upon them) are infallible and protected from committing major sins — this is agreed upon by all scholars."
(Al-Tafsīr al-Basīṭ: 7/73)


❀ Imam al-Suyūṭī رحمه الله (d. 911 AH) quoted from Imam al-Subkī:


"أجمعت الأمة على عصمة الأنبياء فيما يتعلق بالتبليغ، وفي غير ذلك من الكبائر، ومن الصغائر الرذيلة التي تحط مرتبتهم، ومن المداومة على الصغائر، هذه الأربعة مجمع عليها."
_"The Ummah is unanimously agreed that the Prophets are infallible in:

1. matters of conveying the message (tablīgh),
2. major sins,
3. disgraceful minor sins that would lower their status,
4. and persistence in any minor sin.
   There is consensus on these four matters."_
   (Al-Khaṣā’iṣ al-Kubrā: 2/449)

✔ Summary:​

Prophets are protected from all major sins.
They are also free from disgraceful minor sins, persistence in sin, and any fault in conveying revelation.
This protection (ʿiṣmah) is confirmed by the Qur’an, Sunnah, and scholarly consensus.
Their moral and spiritual purity is essential to uphold the credibility of their mission.