Guide-to-Sound-Creed-A-Book-on-Muslim-Creed-and-Faith

196 <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Sound</strong> <strong>Creed</strong>
The preferred view upon which the majority ofpeople agree,
and which is considered the one that accords with our righteous
ances<strong>to</strong>rs' sayings, proves the prophets' infallibility with regard
<strong>to</strong> acknowledging the perpetration of sins in general. Such a
view also involves refuting the claim that prophets are liable <strong>to</strong>
acknowledge the validity of sins. If we recount the arguments
of the proponents of this view, we will come <strong>to</strong> the conclusion
that they propose the preferred view, which we have already
illustrated. The opponents of prophets' infallibility have not
proposed any proof that any prophet once acknowledged the
validity ofperpetrating a specific sin.
Scholars who prove the infallibility ofAllah's prophets argue that
following the prophets' exemplary behavior should be observed with
regard <strong>to</strong> whatever acts they persistently acknowledged, excluding
what they forbade and invalidated. In addition, their commands
and prohibitions should only be enacted provided they had not
been abrogated or suspended. The proponents of this view have
also further argued that committing sins contradicts impeccability,
which is a prerequisite of prophethood. They have also argued
that a sin may be held graver ifperpetrated by such superior men
like the prophets. Hence, committing sins lead people <strong>to</strong> repulse
them. All these conclusions come true in the case ofpersisting in
perpetrating sins without being followed by repentance. Sincerely
expressed repentance, however, elevates the grade of the sinner
according <strong>to</strong> the view adopted by our righteous Salaf. D(iwud
(David) (PBUH) enjoyed a higher merit upon repenting his sins.
Had repentance not been the most endeared act <strong>to</strong> Allah, the
most honored person in the Sight ofAllah, the Prophet (PBUH),
would not have been afflicted with falling in<strong>to</strong> error. According <strong>to</strong>
the authentic Prophetic hadith. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is
reported <strong>to</strong> have said:
" ~llah is more pleased with the repentance ofHis servant as
he turns <strong>to</strong> Him in repentance than that when one amongst
you is upon his she-camel in a desert and it is lost having his
provision offood and drink on it. He, .having lost all hope,
lies down in the shadow ofa tree. All ofa sudden, he finds his
she-camel standing before him. He takes hold of its noseband
and then out of boundless joy says, '0 my Lord, You are my
servant and I am your lord: He commits this mistake out of
extreme delight: ..