Emamat Pajouhi

Emamat Pajouhi

Revisiting the Concept of the Companions' Infallibility in Light of a Hadith

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD student of Quranic sciences and Hadith University of Mazandaran. Babolsar, Iran
2 Associate professor, Department of Qur’an and Hadith Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
10.22034/jep.2025.485775.1634
Abstract
The primary point of contention among Muslims following the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the issue of succession. This belief, which is rooted in the Shia belief in the divine Imamate, led to a divergence in beliefs. The Imamis derived their religious teachings from the Twelve Imams and based the authenticity of these teachings on the infallibility of the Imams. On the other hand, the followers of the Saqifa derived their religious teachings from the Companions and based the authenticity of their teachings on the justice of the Companions. The concept of "justice of the Companions" is a fundamental pillar of Sunni theology, upon which the authenticity of all narrations and events of early Islam is evaluated. This belief extends to the extent that any unjust accusation or sin attributed to the Prophet's Companions is rejected. This paper critically analyzes this concept by examining a well-known narration in reliable Sunni hadith and tafsir sources. This research, using a descriptive-analytical method, seeks to prove the authenticity and resolve the textual and logical ambiguities of this narration. The analysis revealed that some issues in the chain of narration, such as interruption, criticism of narrators, and similarity of names, can be resolved based on Sunni principles. Additionally, textual and logical objections to this narration, such as its contradiction with the Meccan origin of Surah Al-Hijr, its inconsistency with the context of the verses, and the absence of a mosque in Mecca at the beginning of the invitation, can be addressed through
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