Is it not true that whoever says prophets are infallible from polytheism before prophethood is refuting the Quran, given the verses that describe Abraham’s search for the true God, and His (the Almighty’s) saying about Adam and Eve: “But when He had given them a goodly child, they ascribed partners to Him in respect of that which He had given them,” and His (the Almighty’s) saying about the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him: “You did not know what the Scripture was, nor what Faith was,” and “And He found you astray and guided [you]”?

Firstly: Prophets are infallible from disbelief before their prophethood, and this is the view of the majority. Imam Ahmad, concerning our Prophet (peace be upon him), cited the Hadith of Al-Irbad ibn Sariyah, which states that the Prophet was born a prophet and never followed the religion of his people.

Secondly: The meaning of the verse: ﴿You did not know what the Scripture was, nor what Faith was﴾ [Ash-Shura: 52], is that you did not have knowledge of reading the scriptures or of the laws of Islam. This does not negate his belief in God and His oneness before revelation, for prophets are infallible from polytheism before prophethood.

Thirdly: The meaning of the verse: ﴿And He found you astray and guided you﴾ [Ad-Duha: 7], means that you were unaware of the signs of prophethood and the rulings of the Sharia, so He guided you to them; or astray in the ravines of Mecca, so He guided you; or astray from yourself, so He made you know yourself.

Fourthly: The verse: ﴿But when He gave them a good child, they ascribed to Him partners in what He had given them﴾ [Al-A'raf: 190], does not refer to Adam and Eve, but rather to their offspring who associated partners with God. This is supported by the verses: ﴿So exalted be Allah above what they associate with Him. Do they associate those who create nothing and are themselves created?﴾ [Al-A'raf: 190-191].

Fifthly: Allah had granted Ibrahim (peace be upon him) his guidance beforehand. He was a debater with his people, refuting their worship of the stars. His saying: ﴿This is my Lord﴾ [Al-An'am: 78], was a way of denouncing and reprimanding them, as evidenced by his subsequent statement: ﴿Indeed, I am free from what you associate with Him﴾ [Al-An'am: 78], and the verse: ﴿And that was Our argument which We gave Ibrahim against his people﴾ [Al-An'am: 83].