We know that the messengers are protected from error; are they protected from error only in legislation, or in all matters?
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The questioner : This questioner, O honorable Shaykh, is from Sudan. He says, O honorable Shaykh, we know that the messengers are protected from error. Are they protected from error only in legislation, or in all matters?
The Shaykh : The prophets and messengers (peace and blessings be upon them) speak by the revelation of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), and they are protected from any error that would compromise their truthfulness and trustworthiness, and this is the basis of trust in them.
As for what results from their independent legal reasoning, they may err in it. For example, Noah (peace be upon him) asked his Lord to save his son, so Allah said to him:[Hud 11:46]. And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) forbade what Allah had made permissible for him through his independent legal reasoning, so Allah said to him: [At-Tahrim 66:1-2]. And He forgave a group who sought his permission to go out to jihad, so Allah said to him: [At-Tawbah 9:43]. However, they are protected from persisting in error; that is, if an error occurs in their independent legal reasoning, Allah the Exalted must protect them from continuing in it, unlike others, who are not protected from that. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : The prophets and messengers (peace and blessings be upon them) speak by the revelation of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), and they are protected from any error that would compromise their truthfulness and trustworthiness, and this is the basis of trust in them.
As for what results from their independent legal reasoning, they may err in it. For example, Noah (peace be upon him) asked his Lord to save his son, so Allah said to him:
He said, "O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, he is [one whose] work was other than righteous, so ask Me not for that about which you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant."
إِنَّهُ لَيسَ مِن أَهلِكَ إِنَّهُ عَمَلٌ غَيرُ صالِحٍ فَلا تَسأَلنِ ما لَيسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلمٌ إِنّي أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكونَ مِنَ الجاهِلينَ(1) O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (2) Allah has already ordained for you [Muslims] the dissolution of your oaths
يا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ ما أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَكَ تَبتَغي مَرضاتَ أَزواجِكَ وَاللَّهُ غَفورٌ رَحيمٌ * قَد فَرَضَ اللَّهُ لَكُم تَحِلَّةَ أَيمانِكُمMay Allah pardon you, [O Muhammad]; why did you give them permission [to remain behind]? [You should not have] until it was evident to you who were truthful and you knew [who were] the liars.
عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنكَ لِمَ أَذِنتَ لَهُم حَتّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكَ الَّذينَ صَدَقوا وَتَعلَمَ الكاذِبينَThe questioner : May Allah bless you.