We have already discussed the ijtihad of Abu Bakr and Umar...

We have already discussed the ijtihad of Abu Bakr and Umar in our book With The Truthful and also in Ask Those Who Know , and we may write a book dedicated in its entirety to this subject, if Allah pleases. We have also come to know that “Ahlul Sunnah wal Jama`a” add other types of ijtihad to the two major sources of Islamic legislation, namely the Qur'an and the Sunnah, including the “sunnah” of both shaykhs (Abu Bakr and Umar), and the sahabi 's ijtihad .

All of this is the result of their belief that the Prophet was not infallible, that he used to use his own judgment, and that some sahaba used to correct his views and make amends for his mistakes [ Astaghfirullah! ]. This clearly shows that “Ahlul Sunnah wal Jama`a” allege that the Prophet was a faulty person... Whether they know it or not, they, therefore, permit anyone to contradict or disobey him. Neither the Shari`a nor reason obligates anyone to obey a faulty person.

In other words, as long as we think that such an individual is liable to err, we do not have to obey him. How can we obey what is wrong? It also becomes clear to us, in contrast, that the Shi`as believe in the absolute infallibility of the Prophet, enforcing obedience to him because he is, from their viewpoint, is infallible. It is not permissible, the Shi`as advocate, to disobey him under any circumstance. Whoever contradicts and disobeys him does, in fact, contradict and disobey his Lord.

It is to this principle that the Holy Qur'an refers in many verses such as these: “And whatever the Prophet gives you, accept it, and from whatever he forbids you, stay away.” (Holy Qur'an, 59:7) “And obey Allah and the Prophet so that you may be shown mercy.” (Holy Qur'an, 3:132) “Say: If you love Allah, follow me: Allah will (then) love you and forgive your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Holy Qur'an, 3:31) There are many other such verses which obligate the Muslims to obey the Prophet and not to contradict him because he is infallible and does not convey except what he is required by Allah, Glory to Him, to convey.

This by necessity proves the fact that Shi`as are the ones who uphold the Prophet's Sunnah because of their belief that the Prophet is infallible and that following him is incumbent upon each and every Muslim. It also proves that “Ahlul Sunnah wal Jama`a” are distant from the Prophet's Sunnah due to their belief that the Prophet is fallible and that disobeying him is permissible.