A Re‑examination of Tark al‑Awlā (Abandoning the More Meritorious Act) and a Critique of Its Compatibility with the Infallibility (ʿIṣmah) of the Prophets, with an Emphasis on the Theosophical‑Mystical Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies (Shahid Motahari), Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

2 M.A. Student, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Wisdom, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Shahid Motahhari University, Women's Campus, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

In Imāmī Shīʿī thought, after establishing the necessity of the sending of prophets (wujūb‑i biʿthat‑i anbiyāʾ), the most important issue is the necessity of their infallibility (ʿiṣmah). The obligation to follow a prophet is contingent upon attaining certainty regarding his immunity in receiving and conveying divine revelation (waḥy). Hence, a prophet must be infallible with respect to all sins, errors, and matters that would cause doubt or aversion among the people. On the other hand, there are instances in the Noble Qurʾān that exegetes and theologians have interpreted as the prophet's "abandoning the more meritorious act" (tark al‑awlā), maintaining that tark al‑awlā does not contradict infallibility.  This article, through an analytical-critical approach and by presenting critiques of this view, clarifies that tark al-awlā by prophets, especially the ulū al-ʿazm, is incompatible with infallibility, both rationally and textually. The Qurʾānic verses that indicate this issue, when considered in light of authoritative exegeses, each have their own specific hermeneutical interpretation (taʾwīl), indicating that the prophet's choice was in the path of legislative and ontological guidance (hidāyat‑i tashrīʿī wa takwīnī) and in leading toward what is desired. The research finding indicates that the non‑selection of the more meritorious act (awlā) and the selection of the less meritorious act (ghayr‑i awlā) is based on the prophet's knowledge. What appears to be the less meritorious act, according to theosophical and mystical thought, was in fact the more meritorious act given the existing exigencies, and the prophet chose the best option on the path of ontological and legislative guidance. Thus, the research finding is that the prophet, by virtue of his knowledge and infallibility, always chooses the more meritorious act (fiʿl‑i awlā) through his agency and will. If an act appears to be less meritorious, it merely appears so to us.

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References

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Theology Journal
Volume 12, Issue 23 - Serial Number 23
January 2026
Pages 149-177

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