Prophetic Infallibility (ʿIṣmah) and the Sacred Status of Jerusalem (al-Quds): The Qurʾānic Narratives as the Proofs of Divine Sovereignty

Abstract

Prevailing scholarship primarily interprets the differences between Qurʾānic and Biblical Prophetic narratives as theological polemics or literary adaptations. Nevertheless, this study addresses a significant gap by examining the foundational role of these narratives in establishing sovereignty over sacred territory. Specifically, it introduces a framework titled ‘Narratives of Loss versus the Reality of Permanence.’ This analysis highlights a fundamental contrast: the historiography of the Hebrew Bible often links the loss of the Holy Land to the moral failures of its kings, establishing a paradigm of a ruined sanctuary. In contrast, the Qurʾān provides a direct affirmation of truth regarding the Prophets. Through qualitative comparative textual analysis of nine key episodes, including the accounts of Solomon, David, and Aaron, this research illustrates how the Qurʾān affirms the absolute Prophetic infallibility (ʿiṣmah) of the Prophets. By establishing their righteousness, the Qurʾān severs the biblical connection between leadership sin and territorial forfeiture. A pivotal finding is the account of Solomon, which affirms al-Aqṣā not as a theologically ‘ruined’ temple, but as a perpetually sanctified mosque. Consequently, these scriptural truths constitute a foundational political theology, providing a clear lens for understanding custodianship over sacred space. This rendering of history serves as a foundational element in territorial claims and significantly contributes to the fields of political theology, sacred geography, and comparative Qurʾānic studies.