The prophets were to be obeyed the wrongdoers were not to be obeyed...

The prophets were to be obeyed the wrongdoers were not to be obeyed, the only conclusion is that the prophets were not wrongdoers. 4th Verse: Now comes the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) and its answer from God: "And remember when Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He said: I will make thee an Imam to the people.

He pleaded: 'And also from my offspring.' God said: 'But my promise will not reach to the wrongdoers."(Sura al-Baqarah, 2:124) This verse clearly shows that the promise of God to appoint Imams (This word means here religious leader, including both the prophet and Imam of Muslim terminology) will not reach the sinners.

This much will be sufficient to show that our belief is based on the clear understanding of Qur'an, concerning the authority and duty of the prophet towards God and towards his people. Some Allegorical Verses It should be mentioned here that there are some Verses in the Qur'an which give, to some minds, an impression that Prophet Adam (a.s.) and some other prophets committed some sins.

Qur'an itself declares that some of its Verses are clear ones which are the basis of the Book and others are allegorical. Then it goes on to say that the true interpretation of allegorical Verses is known only to Allah and to those who are firmly grounded in knowledge.

Therefore, it is necessary, first of all, to decide which verse has clear meaning, and which one is an allegorical, whose meaning must be decided upon in the light of the clear verses under guidance of the Prophet or Imam (who were firmly grounded in knowledge). Then, and then only, can we save our beliefs from conflicts.

To sum it up: (1) Reason says that the Prophets should be sinless and infallible; (2) Many verses of Qur'an support this view, as mentioned earlier; (3) But still some other verses of Qur'an appear to attribute sins and wrongs to some prophets What is a Muslim supposed to do? The old-established rule and practice demand that we must accept those verses, which are supported by reason, as the clear one.

And as regards other verses (which show that they were sinner) we should seek what is their true and valid interpretation, within the framework of the Arabic language and grammar, as taught by the Prophet and Imams. Did Adam Commit a Sin? Let us look at the phrases used for the first man and the first Khalifa of Allah, i.e., Prophet Adam (a.s.).