Just as the Prophet was absent from people in the cave and...

Just as the Prophet was absent from people in the cave and in the mountain pass[^2], so is it possible for the Imam to be absent. It also makes no difference, logically, if the absence is long or short. Allah has said: And there is a guide for every people. (13;7) and There is not a nation but a warner has passed among them. (35;24) **24.

Doctrine of the Infallibility of the Imam ** We believe that, like the prophet, an Imam must be infallible, that is to say incapable of making errors or doing wrong, either inwardly or outwardly, from his birth to his death, either intentionally or unintentionally, because the Imams are the preservers of Islam and it is under their protection.

Their position in regard to Islam is the same as the Prophet's, and the reasoning which necessitates their infallibility is the same as that which necessitates the Prophet's infallibility, and there is no difference between them in these matters. An Arabic verse says: "For Allah it is not impossible: to unite all the world in one person." **25.

Doctrine of the Attributes of the Imam and Knowledge of the Imam ** We believe that the Imam, like the prophet, must be the best among mankind, and that he must excell in all human qualities, such as bravery, generosity, chasteness, truthfulness, justice, prudence, reason, wisdom and morality. The reason for this is the same as that which we gave for the prophet's superiority. He derives his education, the Divine commandments and all his knowledge from the Prophet or from the previous Imam.

When a new question arises, he knows the answer from Divine Inspiration through the pure mind that Allah has given him. If he gives attention to some matter in order to know it, he will obtain a perfect understanding with no error, for the Imams do not derive their knowledge from methodological reasoning, or from the teachings of men of knowledge, although it is possible for their knowledge to be increased and strengthened. For the Prophet said: O Lord, increase my knowledge!

It has been shown by psychological investigations that every man has, during his lifetime, one or two moments in which he is able to understand something by intuition. In fact, this is a kind of inspiration from Allah. This power has not been given to mankind equally, but in different degrees, according to their capacities. At such a time the human mind is capable of discovering certain facts without thinking or reasoning, and without guidance from someone else.