What are the sins referred to in the noble verse: (That Allah may forgive you your faults of the past and those to follow), and the noble Hadith: "O people, repent to your Lord, for I seek Allah's forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day," and how can they be interpreted to respond to the misconception of the infallibility of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?

Scholars have differed regarding the sins attributed to the prophets. They are infallible, protected from major and minor sins that would diminish their status. They have interpreted the verses and hadiths that mention sins of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in several ways. Some held that these were minor sins that occurred before his prophethood. Others maintained that they were not sins in the conventional sense, but rather a manifestation of his feeling of inadequacy in thanking his Lord for His blessings. Yet others considered them minor sins that do not detract from the rank of prophethood, and that Allah did not approve of them. Prophets rectify any missteps through sincere repentance and turning to Allah, which elevates their ranks with Allah. It suffices for us to know that Allah forgave them, and we should emulate them in repentance and seeking forgiveness.