ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Taharah & 'ismah of the Prophets, Messengers, Awsiya', and Imams (peace Be Upon Them) Research Question no. 6 The next question that poses itself to us is: Does the Taharah and ‘Ismah of the Prophets and Imams make them divine individuals whom we cannot relate to, compared to the rest of the people? And does it prevent them from communicating with and meeting the rest of the human beings?

There are many types and ways of dealing and relating between the people, and it is not only one type, as it may be indicated from the question. For example, your way of relating with your parents will differ from the way you relate with your siblings. And the way that you may relate to your school and its Principal, will be different from the way that you relate to your friend or colleague.

And the way that you conduct yourself with the President of your country will surely differ from the way that you do so with the boss in your work, or your servant. Furthermore, the way that you relate to the Sheikh of your Masjid or your religious and spiritual mentor will certainly be different from your relation with your neighbor or son!

Thus, for every position, there is a way of dealing that is specific to it, and for every person, there is a certain type of relationship which will differ with the type of person you're dealing with. The Prophets, Messengers, Awsiya', and Imams (AS) are special individuals who perform divine roles and jobs that are assigned to them by God.

Hence, their respect is derived from the respect of Allah (SWT) and their position is derived from the position of Allah (SWT), regardless of whether they are purified and protected, or not. It is not at all expected that your relationship and way of dealing with them will ever be the same as that of your friend, teacher, neighbor, or colleague. That is because the way that you deal with them will have a special sacredness that is derived from Allah (SWT) whom they represent.

For example, do you treat and relate to the messenger of your friend to you in the same way that you do with the messenger of the President of your country to you, or the messenger of the police to you? Of course not! That is because your way of dealing with the messengers of both the President and police, without a doubt will be affected by whom they represent.