Classes on Theology

Sheikh Jaffer H. JafferMasumeen Islamic Centre

April 17th, 2012Week Ten

Prophethood• The Necessity for the Commission of

Prophets• The purpose of creation is that human beings by

their own free will reach ultimate perfection

• To reach this perfection, human beings need to have the right tools to distinguish between right and wrong

• Ordinary sense perception and intellect are insufficient in determining a path of perfection

– Therefore:• There must be another path for reaching perfection

– ‘Path of Revelation’ - Prophethood

Prophethood• The Benefits in the Commissioning of

Prophets– Sent to ‘Remind’ mankind about the power of

their intellect

�ر�• �ت� م�ذ�ك �ن �ما أ �ن �ر� إ ف�ذ�ك• Therefore do remind, for you are only a Reminder (88:21)

• Imam Ali AS:– “God the Supreme has sent prophets continuously in

order that men remain faithful to their intrinsic nature, and are reminded of the forgotten bounties provided by God. This reminder is a propagation and declaration of the truth in order that the proof is completed upon them.”

Prophethood• The Benefits in the Commissioning of

Prophets– Sent as a ‘Prototype’ to be emulated

ل�ق� ع�ظيم�• �ع�لى خ� �ك� ل �ن و� إ•And most surely you conform yourself to sublime morality (68:4)

– Sent for their political and sociological leadership

Prophethood• Questions:

– Why were all the Prophets sent in a limited geographical area?

• The appearance of the Prophets was not confined to a specific location.

– Indeed We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and as a warner; and there is not a nation but a warner has passed in it (Fātir:24).

– Certainly We raised an apostle in every nation [to preach:] ‘Worship Allah, and keep away from the Rebel. (al-Nahl :36)

• Following a Prophet is based on free will and human choice

Prophethood• Questions:

– If the Prophets were sent for human perfection, why did bloody wars and rebellion exist between the Divine Religions?

• Human perfection occurs through free will – …For each] community [among you We had appointed a

code] of law [and a path, and had Allah wished He would have made you one community, but] His purposes required [that He should test you in respect to what He has given you… (Al-Ma’ida 48)

• God could have easily stopped the corruption– However Divine Creation would lose it’s purpose

Prophethood• Questions:

– Why did God not reveal the secrets of Nature through the Revelation to better human life?

• The responsibility of the Prophets is to assist man in any state or condition that he/she is in.

• This does not mean that Prophets have not helped in refining the life of the people

– We taught him (David) the making of coats of mail for you, to protect you from your own violence. Will you then be grateful? (al-Anbiya 80)

Prophethood• Furthermore:

– If all the secrets of creation were opened up to mankind, he/she would definitely believe

• Imam Ali AS:– “ When Allah deputed the prophets, if He wished to open

for them treasures and mines of gold and to collect around them birds of the skies and beasts of the earth He could have done so. If He had done so then there would have been no trial, no recompense falling due after trial and the believers could not deserve the reward for good acts, and all these words would not have retained their meanings…”

Prophethood• The Plurality of Prophets

– Why did God not send one Prophet for all time?• First: All human beings have a limited life

• Second: The conditions of people’s lives in different places and at different times are not the same

• Third: Due to various factors, with time there would be alteration to the Prophets’ message

– Why do we have to believe in all the Prophets?• Those who disbelieve in Allah and His apostles and seek to separate

Allah from His apostles, and say," We believe in some and disbelieve in some" and seek to take a way in between, it is they who are truly faithless, and We have prepared for the faithless a humiliating punishment (An-Nisa 150-151)

Prophethood• The Number of Prophets (124,000)

– Cannot be proven by the intellect• Traditions from the Ahlul Bayt AS

– (Bihar ul Anwar vol. 11 pg. 28, 30, 32, 41)

• Different Ranks of the Prophets– Prophet (Nabi) – holding an outstanding position

• 124,000

– Messenger (Rasūl) - the one who brings a message• 313

– Those messengers with a strong will (ūlu al-‘azm)• 5

Questions?