Grand Ayatollah Shirazi Clarifies Distinction Between Divine Infallibility
Grand Ayatollah Shirazi Clarifies Distinction Between Divine Infallibility
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Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Husayni Shirazi clarified the distinct levels of Infallibility, or Ismah, during his daily scholarly session held on Sunday, the 12th of Rabi’ al-Thani, 1447 AH. As in previous meetings, the Supreme Marja responded to jurisprudential questions (fiqhi) posed by attendees.
Grand Ayatollah Shirazi stated that Greater Infallibility (Ismah Kubra) is definitively reserved for the Fourteen Infallibles (Prophet Muhammad, Fatimah al-Zahra, and the Twelve Imams, peace be upon them).
His Eminence then explained that certain descendants of the Imams possess Lesser Infallibility (Ismah Sughra), a rank that follows Greater Infallibility. He specifically mentioned figures revered in Shia Islam, including Lady Zaynab, Aba al-Fadl al-Abbas, Ali al-Akbar, and Lady Fatimah al-Ma’sumah, peace be upon them.
The Supreme Religious Authority noted that the specific term “Lesser Infallibility” is not directly found in narrative traditions (Hadith). However, he explained that based on the content of the special visitation texts (Ziyarat) and the numerous traditions praising these holy figures, scholars have deduced that they attained such exalted ranks of piety and moral purity, which they term Ismah Sughra.