If we analyze the use of the word*‘Ismah* (and its...
If we analyze the use of the word*‘Ismah* (and its derivatives) by Allah (SWT) in the Qur’an, we will find the following: Ayat Al-Balagh: وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ “Wallahu ya'semuka min al-naas” “ And Allah will protect you from the people.” [5:67] In this verse, Allah (SWT) is the*‘Asim* and since He is the ‘Asim , there is no doubt in the efficiency of His protection which is 100% guaranteed.
The Holy Prophet (SA), in this case, would be considered Ma'soom since the process of purification was approved and completed by the Almighty Creator.
قَالَ سَآوِي إِلَىٰ جَبَلٍ يَعْصِمُنِي مِنَ الْمَاءِ “ Qala sa-awy illa jabalen ya'semuni min al-maa'…” “ He said: I will betake myself for refuge to a mountain that shall protect me from the water.” [11:43] The*‘Asim* in this verse is the mountain, while the son of Prophet Nuh (AS) is Mu'tasim , since the ability of the mountain to protect him is doubted and in fact proved to be a failure as indicated by the verse, وَحَالَ بَيْنَهُمَا الْمَوْجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُغْرَقِينَ “...
And a wave intervened between them, so he was from among those who drowned. ” [11:43]. **** وَلَقَدْ رَاوَدْتُهُ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ فَاسْتَعْصَمَ “Wa la-qad rawadtuhu ‘an nafsih, fasta'sam…” “ And certainly I sought his yielding himself to me, but he abstained [12:32]. In this example, Yusuf (AS) is Musta'sim according to Al-‘Azeez's wife, since she witnessed Yusuf exert strong effort with great concern to attain the protection of His Lord.
Due to her lack of belief in Yusuf's God (‘Asim ), she doubted the ability of the ‘Asim in protecting him. So, she referred to him as Musta'sim and this in itself is a testimony from her to his persistence in refusing what she asked, and his seeking the protection of his God from her.
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا “Wa'tasimu be-hablullah jamee'an…” “And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together…” [3:103] Here, Allah (SWT) orders us to ask and seek His protection, which is represented by the “rope” of Allah. If we obey His order and seek His protection, we will be considered Mu'tasimeen with the rope of Allah, but not Ma’sumeen . This is not to doubt the ability of Allah (SWT) in protecting.
Rather, it is because we don't know if Allah (SWT) will accept to protect us due to a deficiency or defect in us. Therefore, not every Mu'tasim with the rope of Allah is considered to be Ma'soom , except whom Allah (SWT) accepts and completes His protection.
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