Concerning his words regarding the worldly affairs...

Concerning his words regarding the worldly affairs, it is said about them to be among mere opinions, that were called by the scholars “guidance ordinance.” That means, his ordinance in any of the world affairs is called guidance (irshad), that stands versus the taklif (imposition) ordinance.

According to the jurisprudential laws, to apply the guidance ordinance is not considered obligatory or mandub (recommended), since nearness (to Allah) is not intended by it, nor denotation of devotion is implied in it. It is commonly known that only a relevant special evidence can prove the case of obligation or recommendation. Whatever the ulama said in this regard is due to the fact that the apostles being not infallible in other than propagation (tabligh).

In Sharh al-Aqidah, 31 al-Safarini is reported to have said: In Nihayat al-mubtadi’in, Ibn Hamdan said: “They (apostles) being only infallible in respect of Allah’s ordinances they be delegated to convey to mankind, being non-infallible in other…