The status of all the Infallible Imams (AS) is derived from the status of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) which is the highest among all the Prophets before him.
Allah says in Quran: A Progeny every one from them is from the others ذُرّيّةً بَعضُها مِن بَعض
This means that the Prophet's status and his Progeny's status are one from the another.
Wassalam.