[The Rāfidī’s Discussion of the Infallibility of the Imams and the Response to It]

Chapter (1)

The Rāfidī said (2):

“These, then, are the eminent, infallible Imams (3), who attained the pinnacle of perfection. They did not follow the ways of other imams, who occupied themselves with kingship, every manner of sinful conduct and amusement, drinking wine and debauchery, and even did to their own relatives what is (4) widely reported among the people. The Imāmiyya say: ‘Allah will judge between us and these men, and He is the best of judges.’”

He—that is, Ibn al-Mutahhar—said immediately after the preceding passage, on p. 107 (M):

“How excellent are the poet’s words (5):

If you wish to adopt a school that satisfies your soul,
And recognize that people transmit reports,
Then set aside the words of al-Shāfiī and Mālik,
And Ahmad, and what is related from Ka'b al-Ahbār.
Instead, give allegiance to men whose word and hadith is:
‘Our grandfather narrated from Gabriel, from the Creator.’”

The answer may be given in several ways:

First, it may be said: As for the claim that these men were infallible, you have cited (6) no proof for it apart from your assertion (7) that Allah is obliged to appoint an infallible imam for the people,