Editing Shia Islam (section)

=== Infallibility (''Ismah'') ===
{{main|Ismah}}

''Ismah'' ({{Langx|ar|عِصْمَة|lit=protection|translit='Iṣmah or 'Isma}}) is the concept of [[infallibility]] or "divinely bestowed freedom from error and sin" in Islam.<ref name="Dabashi" /> Muslims believe that Muhammad, along with the [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|other prophets and messengers]], possessed ''ismah''. [[Twelver Shi'ism|Twelver]] and [[Isma'ilism|Ismāʿīlī]] Shīʿa Muslims also attribute the quality to [[Imamah (Shia doctrine)|Imams]] as well as to [[Fatimah|Fāṭimah]], daughter of Muhammad, in contrast to the [[Zaydism|Zaydī Shīʿas]], who do not attribute ''ismah'' to the Imams.<ref>Francis Robinson, ''Atlas of the Muslim World'', p. 47.</ref> Though initially beginning as a political movement, infallibility and sinlessness of the Imams later evolved as a distinct belief of (non-Zaydī) Shīʿīsm.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shii | title=Shīʿite | encyclopedia=Britannica | access-date=21 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720054917/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shii | archive-date=20 July 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[Schools of Islamic theology#Shīʿa schools of theology|Shīʿa Muslim theologians]], infallibility is considered a rational, necessary precondition for spiritual and religious guidance. They argue that since [[God in Islam|God]] has commanded absolute obedience from these figures, they must only order that which is right. The state of infallibility is based on the Shīʿīte interpretation of the [[verse of purification]].<ref>{{qref|33|33|b=y}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Momen|1985|p=155}}</ref> Thus, they are the most pure ones, the only immaculate ones preserved from, and immune to, all uncleanness.<ref>Corbin (1993), pp. 48, 49</ref> It does not mean that supernatural powers prevent them from committing a [[Islamic views on sin|sin]], but due to the fact that they have absolute belief in God, they refrain from doing anything that is a sin.<ref name="Dabashi">{{cite book |last=Dabashi |date=2006 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sTFdNNQP4ewC&pg=PA463 |title=Theology of Discontent: The Ideological Foundatation of the Islamic Revolution in Iran |page=463|publisher=Transaction Publishers |isbn=978-1412839723 }}</ref>

They also have a complete knowledge of God's will. They are in possession of all knowledge brought by the [[Angels in Islam|angels]] ({{Langx|ar|ملائِكة|translit=malāʾikah}}) to the prophets ({{Langx|ar|أنبياء|translit=anbiyāʼ}}) and the messengers ({{Langx|ar|رُسل|translit=rusul}}). Their knowledge encompasses the totality of all times. Thus, they are believed to act without fault in religious matters.<ref>Corbin (1993), p. 48</ref> Shi'a Muslims regard [[Ali|ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib]] as the [[Succession to Muhammad|successor of Muhammad]] not only ruling over the entire [[Ummah|Muslim community]] in justice, but also in interpreting the Islamic faith, practices, and its esoteric meaning. ʿAlī is regarded as a "[[Al-Insān al-Kāmil|perfect man]]" ({{Langx|ar|الإنسان الكامل|translit=al-insan al-kamil}}) similar to Muhammad, according to the Shīʿīte perspective.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/subdivisions/sunnishia_1.shtml |title=How do Sunnis and Shias differ theologically? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417082653/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/subdivisions/sunnishia_1.shtml |archive-date=17 April 2014 |date=2009-08-19 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>