Adam's Infallibility in the Scale of Criticism

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Abstract

This article analyzes a theological and, to some extent, controversial arguments, namely, Adam's disobedience in paradise and his temptation by the Satan, which is naturally incompatible with his infallibility and prophethood. Thus, in order to dissolve this contradiction, theologians and interpreters have made justifications such as: Adam's action had been an "abandonment of the preferable"; that paradise had not been a place of obligation; it had been an exhortative rather than obligatory prohibition; and it had been a generic rather than legislative or experimental forbiddance. We have made a critical review of this issue by presenting their comments, justifications, and evidences and proceeded to analyze the issue with the Qur'anic, traditional, and rational reasoning, reaching the conclusion that Adam (A.S.) had committed disobedience and sin and deserved the chastisement while he had not yet attained prophethood; nevertheless, after his repenting and praying for forgiveness, God selected him, accepted his repentance, and gave him Divine guidance, and he achieved the status of infallibility. Therefore, with this consideration, there remains no incompatibility or contradiction, therein.