| Prophet's Knowledge | Prophet has knowledge of unseen (ilm al-ghayb) granted by Allah | Prophet has knowledge of unseen, present everywhere spiritually | Attributing absolute ghayb to anyone but Allah is kufr; Prophet knew only what was revealed |
| Prophet's Nature | Prophet is infallible (ma'sum), created from divine light | Prophet is made of light (nur), not ordinary human flesh | Prophet is bashar (human), greatest but not divine; saying otherwise contradicts Quran |
| Intercession | Imams can intercede, strong emphasis on tawassul through Ahlul Bayt | Saints (awliya) can intercede, seeking help through Prophet/saints common | Seeking help from dead is shirk; only Allah answers prayers; intercession only with His permission |
| Grave Visitation | Building shrines encouraged, prayers at Imam's graves beneficial | Celebrating at shrines, urs celebrations, spiritual presence at graves | Building over graves forbidden in hadith; praying TO graves is shirk |
| Religious Authority | Twelve Imams are divinely appointed, infallible guides | Pirs/saints have special spiritual status and authority | Only Quran/Sunnah are ma'sum (protected); following anyone unconditionally except Prophet is misguidance |
| Omnipresence | Imams have special presence and knowledge | Prophet can be spiritually present at multiple places (hazir-nazir) | Believing any creation is hazir-nazir is shirk in Allah's attributes (sifat) |
| Creation Purpose | Universe created for Ahlul Bayt | Universe created for Prophet Muhammad | Creation is for Allah's worship alone per Quran 51:56; other claims are fabrications |
| Celebrations | Birthdays of Imams, Muharram commemorations | Mawlid (Prophet's birthday), saint commemorations | Religious celebrations not from Sahaba are bid'ah; best way to honor Prophet is following Sunnah |