Ja'far Sobhani, a Shi‘ite scholar, claimed that the concept of Ismah originated from the Qur’an, regarding the prophet (Q53:3-4), angels (66: 6), and the Qur'an itself (41: 42)  Dwight M. Donaldson regards the origin and importance of the concept of Ismah owes to the development of the theology of the Shi'ites in the period between the death of Muhammad and the disappearance of the Twelfth Imam.Ann Lambton claims that neither the term nor the concept of Ismah is found in either the Qur'an or in the canonical Sunni hadith. It was apparently first used by the Imamiyyah, perhaps around the beginning of the second century AH, to maintain that the Imam must be immune from sin (ma'sum).
Ja'far Sobhani, a Shi‘ite scholar, asserted that the concept of Ismah stemmed from the Qur’an, citing verses about prophets (Q53:3-4), angels (66: 6), and the Qur'an itself (41: 42). Dwight M. Donaldson attributed the origin and significance of the concept of Ismah to the theological evolution among Shiites during the era between Muhammad's death and the disappearance of the Twelfth Imam. Ann Lambton argued that neither the term nor the concept of Ismah appears in either the Qur’an or canonical Sunni hadiths; it was reportedly first utilized by Imamiyyah around the beginning of the second century AH to ensure that an Imam must be immune from sin (ma'sum).