Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 2 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tilib 371
taught peopIe that which Allah (&) taught them, in the same manner
as other imams of their time. During their eras, there were other
scholars who were more knowledgeable and more beneficial than
them, and this is well known among the scholars. Even if they were
more knowledgeable and more religiously committed, people of
knowledge and religious commitment could not achieve what could
be achieved by people in positions of power and authority, who were
able to oblige the people to adhere to the truth and prevent them from
indulging in falsehood. The Imams after these three, such as the two
al-'Askaris, did not show great knowledge from which the Urnah
could benefit, and they did not perform any actions from which the
Ummah could benefit. They were just like other members of Banu
Hiishim who had a certain sanctity and status, and they had enough
knowledge about Islam to fulfil their religious duties, which is
knowledge that many ordinary Muslims also had; that should he
expected of people like them. Hence the scholars did not take from
them as they had taken from the first three.40"
3.2.5. General discussion of the idea
of infallibility of the Imams
The claim of infallibility of the Imams is similar to giving them
a share of prophethood. The infallible one must be followed in all that
he says, and it is not permissible to go against him in any way. This is
something that is only for the Prophets, hence we are enjoined to
believe in what was revealed to them. Allah (@) says: aSay [O
Muslims]: We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to
us and that which has been sent down to Ibr&eem [Abraham],
Ismii'eel [Ishmael], Ishi? [Isaac], Ya'qoob [Jacob], and to Al-Asbiit
[the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya'qoob (Jacob)], and that which
has been given to Moosa [Moses] and 'Eesa [Jesus], and that which
has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no