But this goal could not be achieved if the prophets had not been sinless.

But this goal could not be achieved if the prophets had not been sinless. Suppose there is a man who, just like ordinary people, commits sins or wrongs. And suppose such a man claims that he has been sent by God to lead his people to the right path and provide with his life a model of all that is good and virtuous in human nature. How can the people be sure that he is saying the truth, the whole truth and nothing but truth?

He cannot command from his people the unreserved respect and undo table obedience which is his due. Therefore, to carry on the work of God, the prophets must have been sinless and immune from committing mistakes? Proof From Qur'an This logical reasoning is supported by the Holy Qur'an also. Look, for example, to the following verses: 1st Verse: God says: "We sent not an Apostle, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the Will of God." (Qur'an, Sura 4, Verse 64).

The prophets and the apostles were to be obeyed and followed, not that the followers were expected to check every action of the prophet to decide what was to be obeyed and what not to be obeyed. How could this be true unless the prophets and apostles are believed to be free from errors, sins and mistakes? 2nd Verse: God commands us to obey the Prophet: "O ye who believe! Obey God, and obey the Apostle." (Sura an-Nisa’, 4:59).

Again He says: "All who obey God and the Apostle......" (Sura an-Nisa’, 4:69). In the same Sura it is asserted: "He who obeys the Apostle, obeys God." (Sura an-Nisa’, 4:80) In all these verses of Qur'an, as well as in numerous other Verses, the obedience of God is made synonymous with the obedience of the prophet.

Such assertion would have been impossible if the prophets were not Masum and infallible Just imagine what impossible situation would have been created if any prophet began exhorting his followers to commit a mistake or sin. The wretched followers would have been condemned to the displeasure of God in any case. If they obeyed the prophet and committed that sin they disobeyed the command given by God and thus were disgraced.

If, on the other hand, they disobeyed the prophet, they again disobeyed the command of God mentioned above about obeying the prophet. So, it appears that a non-Maasum prophet could bring nothing but disgrace and condemnation to his people. 3rd Verse: Add this verse to the above verses: "Do not obey those who do wrong." Now the picture is complete.