The Mission of the Prophets

The Mission of the Prophets
By: Grand Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi
1- THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROPHETHOOD
WE BELIEVE that God has sent a long line of prophets and apostles for the guidance of mankind towards salvation and perfection. If not so; the creation would fail to serve the creator's purpose, and man would be drowned in the whirlpool of aberrations.
(WE SENT THE APOSTLES) Who gave glad "tidings as well as warning; so that mankind, after the coming of the apostles, may have no plea against Allah, the exalted in POWER the WISE."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S4: 165
WE BELIEVE that among all the prophets there are five ARCHPROPHETS, who are the most prominent ones, who have had LAW, DIVINE book and new religions. THE first was NOAH, the second was ABRAHAM. then came Moses, The fourth of them was JESUS CHRIST; and the last of all was MUHAMMAD.
"And remember when We made a covenant with you, as we did with the other prophets:-- with NOAH and ABRAHAM, with Moses and Jesus the son of Mary. We took from them a solemn covenant, so that Allah might question the truthful about their truthfulness. Allah has prepared for the unbelievers a grievous punishment."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S33: 7
"Bear up them with patience as did the ARCHPROPHETS before you, and be in no haste about the unbelievers."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S46: 35
WE BELIEVE that the holy prophet Mohammad closed the long line of APOSTLES, and he is the LAST of the prophets, His Islamic law will cover all the mankind, and will remain until the end of the world. That is to say: _ the nature of his doctrine and Islamic commandments is so becoming, that will satisfy all the needs of man up to the end. And that; if any one claims to be a prophet after him, the claim is false.
"Muhammad is not the father of any of you men, but he is the apostle of Allah, and the SEAL of the prophets. Allah has full knowledge of all thing."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S33: 40
2-THE SYMBIOSIS BETWEEN THE FOLLOWERS OF DIVINE RELIGIONS
Although we believe that, Islam is at present the only official religion accepted by God, it doesn't mean that there cannot be a symbiosis between the followers of Divine Religions, whether they live in the Islamic countries or elsewhere. This has an exception of those non-Muslims who are combatants against Islam and Muslims.
"Allah for - bids you not, to be kind and equitable to those who have neither made war on your religion, nor driven you out from your homes. Allah loves the equitable.
THE HOLY QURAN S60 : 8
WE BELIEVE that we can make known the truthfulness of Islam to man, by logical and fair discussions. Islam is so logically attractive, that if it be presented clear and pure, many will be attracted to it, particularly now a days, that we see so many eager ears ready to listen. This is why we believe that we need not to impose our religion on people by force.
"There is no compulsion in religion. Truth is cleared out from error. Whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah, has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. Allah hears and knows all things.
THE HOLY QURAN _ S2: 256
WE BELIEVE that if the Muslims do what their religion tells them to do, their deeds are enough to present and spread Islam, and no force or compulsion is needed for that
3- THE PROPHETS ARE INNOCENT FOR' LIFE
WE BELIEVE that all the prophets are INNOCENT through out their lives. This means that by the GRACE of GOD they are always guiltless, before and after their prophetic mission. If not so; people would lose their confidence on them, and would not know them good mediators to act between them and God.
If in the Holy QURAN, guilt's are ascribed to them, it is only:_ "PREFERRING THE BETTER OVER THE BEST." In other word, they may choose one of the two which is less good and not that which is bad. Some times a good work of a good believer might be a sin for the nearest to God: and every one is expected to do what is becoming to HIM.
4- THEY ARE GOD'S OBEDIENT SERVANTS
WE BELIEVE that it has been the greatest honour of the prophets to be the obedient servants of God. This is why we repeat in our daily prayers the following phrase:_ " I TESTIFY THAT MOHAMAD IS THE SERVANT OF GOD; AND HIS MESSENGER TOO."
WE BELIEVE that none of the prophets have claimed to be a god.
"It is impossible that a man to whom is given the SCRIPTURES, WISDOM, and PROPHETHOOD; should say to people:_ "WORSHIP ME INSTEAD OF GOD."
On the contrary he would say:
"Be you all devouted servants of God, who is truly the cherisher of all, for you have studied and been taught the scriptures."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S3: 34
And that JESUS CHRIST has never asked people to WORSHIP him.
"Christ does not disdain to serve and worship Allah; nor do the nearest angels feel contempt to do that.
Those who disdain His worship and who are arrogant will be gathered together in front of HIM. (TO ANSWER)"
THE HOLY QURAN _ S4: 172
The histories written today show that among the early Christians in the first century (A.D.), the TRINITY did not exist at all. It appeared later.
5- MIRACLES AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNSEEN
Being the servant of God doesn't prevent the prophet to know the unseen, or the future and the past by the leave of God.
"God alone knows the UNSEEN, nor does HE make any one aware of HIS Mysteries, Except an apostle whom He has chosen.
THE HOLY QURAN _ S72: 26_27
We know that one of the miracles performed by Jesus, was to inform people of some of the mysterious affairs.
"... And Jesus said I declare to you what you EAT and what you store in your houses..."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S3: 49
Mohammad the prophet of Islam too, declared many secrets by the way of God's inspiration.
"That is of the unseen reports which we reveal by inspiration unto you."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S12 _ 102
So the prophets may inform of the unseen through the inspiration of God. It is in the Holy QURAN that the prophet says:_
"I tell you not that, with me are the treasure of Allah; nor do I know what is hidden, (THE UNSEEN) nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow that which is revealed to me."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S6: 50
This, of course, refers to the substantial knowledge, and not the knowledge obtained by Divine teachings to the prophets.
WE BELIEVE that these reverend prophets have performed miracles and super natural acts by the leave of God; and because we believe their miracles to be with the permission of God, we don't consider that a sort of polytheism. According to the HOLY QURAN; Jesus Christ raised the dead to life again, but by the leave of God, and healed the incurable diseases:_
"By Allah's leave", said Jesus; "I shall give sight to the blind, and heal the lepers, and I raise the dead to life, (with the permission of God.)"
THE HOLY QURAN _ S3: 49
6- THE INTERCESSION OF THE PROPHETS
WE BELIEVE that all the prophets, particularly our prophet, are in a position to intercede with God on behalf of a certain group of sinners. This intercession must be, and is by the leave of God.
"No intercessor can plead with Him, except after His leave."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S10: 3
"Who is there to intercede in His presence, except with His permission?"
THE HOLY QURAN _ S2: 255
If in some of the Holy QURANIC verses we see that intercession is rejected: it refers to the absolute intercession, and not that which is by God's leave:_
"O, Believers! Bestow in alms a part of that which we have given you, before that day arrives in which there shall be neither trading, nor friendship, and nor intercession."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S2: 254
Here the independent intercession is meant which is not by the leave of God. We have always repeated that some of the Holy QURANIC verses describe some other.
WE BELIEVE that the intercession is a good means for training and turning the sinners to the right path. It enjoins virtue and sanctity, and inspires hope in these who deserve it. It also is a notice to the sinners:_ not to ruin the bridges behind themselves, and live a little way of return to their Merciful Lord.
7- THE QUESTION OF RESORTING
WE BELIEVE that resorting too, is similar to the intercession, which permits those who have problems and difficulties to resort to the prophets and saints for a help; so that they may pray to God asking HIM to solve the problems of the resortees:
"When they oppressed themselves, would they have come to you (i.e. MUHAMMAD) to ask Allah's forgiveness for them, they surely would have found Allah an acceptor of their repentance and the Most Merciful."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S4: 64
In the story of JOSEPH the dreamer, found in the HOLY QURAN, when his brothers felt regret and repented, they resorted to their father (JACOB) to ask God to forgive them their sins. The old father agreed with their request, and promised to ask for their salvation in due time. In this respect the HOLY BOOK has:_
"They said,"O, our father! Ask forgiveness for our sins, for we were really at fault."
He said," Soon I shall ask my LORD to forgive you all, for HE is indeed often forgiving and Merciful"
THE HOLY QURAN _ S12: 97_98
Of course one should not transgress the logical bounds by thinking that the prophets could do as they liked without the permission of God. One should not try to change a case of resorting or interceding into a case of worshipping the prophets and the saints which is then mere Polytheism. They substantially can do nothing unless God permits them to do it.:--
"Say:_" I have no power over any good or bad to myself, except by the will of Allah.
If I had the knowledge of the hidden, I would have availed myself of much goodness, and no harm would have touched me at all.
I am only a Warner to all of you and a bearer of glad tiding to those who have faith."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S7: 188
8-THE PRINCIPLES OF ALL THE PROPHET'S MISSIONS ARE ONE
WE BELIEVE that all the prophets pursued the same aim which is the prosperity of mankind, through faith in God and the resurrection, and by religious training. This is why we respect all the prophets. We learn from the HOLY QURAN:--
"The Apostle (i.e. Mohammad) believes in that which is revealed to him from his LORD, and so do men of faith they all believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and in all HIS APOSTLES. They say:_ "We make no distinction between any of the prophets. They also say: we hear (THE PROPHETS) and we obey. OUR LORD! We seek thy forgiveness, that to you end all the roads."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S2: 285
By the elapse of time, man was prepared to have newer and better training. The religions too, gradually turned deeper and deeper, till at last Islam was revealed with that perfection needed to cover all purposes and all times
"The unbelievers at this day have all abandoned to despair of vanquishing your religion. Have no fear of them, and only fear me.
This day I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed my favour to you, and have chosen for you, ISLطM to be your religion."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S5: 3
9- REPORTS OF THE FORMER PROPHETS
WE BELIEVE that many of the former Prophets have informed their followers of the coming of the next one. For instance, Moses and Jesus have given a clear account of the mission of the last of the prophets, Muhammad.
"Those who follow the Apostle the unlettered prophet whom they find mentioned in their own scripture in the LAW and the GOSPEL. He commands them what is just and equitable, and forbids them what is evil...."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S7: 157
This is why we read in the history that a little while before the coming of Mohammad, a group of Jews came and settled in MEDINA, waiting for the prophet they expected to appear, as it was foretold in their scripture.
Deut. 18:15 _ JOHN 14: 16_25 _ JOHN 15:26 _ JOHN 16:7
When the prophet came, some of them accepted his doctrine and converted to faithful believers, and some found their material benefits and political positions endangered and rejected the invitation to Islam.
10-THE PROPHETS AND THEIR REFORMS IN ALL ASPECTS OF HUMAN LIFE
WE BELIEVE that the Divine Religions sent through the Apostles _particularly Islam_ not only improves the social life of the individuals, or heeds the moral and ethics of people. It also covers all the different aspects of the human life. Even the roots of some necessary sciences are taken from them.
WE BELIEVE that one of the main objects of the Divine leaders and Apostles, is to achieve complete social justice:_
"We sent our Apostles with clear signs, and sent down with them the Book and the SCALE (OF RIGHT & WRONG) that man might do justice."
THE HOLY QURAN _ S57: 25
11- RACIAL AND TRIBAL ADVANTAGES REJECTED
WE BELIEVE that all the prophets, especially our prophet Muhammad, admitted no Racial or Tribal advantages for any one. To them, all the races, nations languages, and color of skin, were of equal value and at the same rank:_
"O MANKIND! We have created you all, from a male and a female; and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other. The most honoured among you all, in the sight of Allah is the most virtuous one. Allah is All- knowing, All-aware.
THE HOLY QURAN _ S49: 13
We have a famous tradition that Muhammad (S.A.W.) was in MINA during the performance of the rites of pilgrimage (HAJ). He made a speech for an audience while he was on his camel. He said,
"O PEOPLE! Know that your God is only one; and all of you are the descendants of one father. No Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab and vice versa; Neither a black is better than that with a redskin, except for their PIETY. Do you all fallow me? "Yes we all understood," said the audience. "Then let those who are present," continued the Messenger of God:" convey that to those who are absent."
12- ISLAM AND THE HUMAN NATURE
WE BELIEVE that Monotheism, belief in God, and the commandments of the Apostles, are all natural, and based upon the human instinct. The prophets have only watered and grown this fruitful seed.
"So set your face steadily in devotion to the true religion the natural pattern on which God has made mankind.
(Let there be) No change in this natural pattern created by Allah. That's the standard religion which most people do not understand.
THE HOLY QURAN _ S30: 30
This is why throughout the history; Man has had some sort of deity and Religion. Even those nations, who bore the heavy pressures of anti-religion policies and propagandas, have returned back towards their religion as soon as they obtained some freedom.
Of course it can not be denied, That Man, for his low culture has often had his true religion mixed with superstitions, and the prophets main roles were to remove that and clean the mirror of the hearts.( TAFSIR GHARTABI_ VOL.9: 6162)
Reference: ImamReza.net