Theological Instructions

LESSON THIRTY: PROPHETS AND PEOPLE

Introduction

When referring to the prophets (a) and their illustrious lives, the Holy Qur’an discloses the reactions of the people against them. On one side we are informed about the stance the people took towards the prophets and the reasons for their opposition. On the other side the methods employed by the prophets to guide and educate the people are explained and the way in which they struggled against the roots of disbelief, polytheism, and deviation. The Holy Qur’an upholds Divine regulations for governing societies, particularly with reference to the mutual relationships between people and prophets. Such discussions include the most instructive and insightful issues.

These points are not in direct relation with ideological or discoursal points. This is due to the fact that they shed light on prophecy and its related aspects, and destroy a number of relevant doubts, and due to their importance in teaching and educating people and functioning as examples for the people to learn from, they are considered to be vital. Therefore, in this lesson, I will discuss some of the most important points of this nature.

The people’s reaction against the prophets (a)

When God’s prophets (a) began to invite people to worship the unique God (refer to al-Nahl:36, al-Anbiyā’:25], Fussilat:14, al-Ahqāf:21), obey His orders, stay away from idols and false gods, avoid Satan and other misleaders, and refuse committing oppression, corruption and wrong doing, they generally faced opposition from the people (refer to Ibrāhīm:9, al-Mu’minūn:44). Such opposers were the rulers of societies, the rich who were drowning in their own worldly pleasures (refer to Saba’:34) and proud of their wealth, social positions, or knowledge (refer to Ghāfir:83, al-Qasas:78, al-Zumar:49). They held great influence and managed to mislead many away from the true path of life (refer to al-Ahzāb:67, Saba’:31-33).

Nevertheless, little by little, a group of people who were mainly among the deprived accepted the prophets’ invitation (refer to Hūd:40).

However it has rarely occurred that a society has been formed on the principles of correct beliefs, norms of justice and with obedience to God and His prophets. For instance, this happened at the time of Solomon. Nevertheless, some of the Divine teachings gradually affected the culture of some societies and were later transferred to others.

In some cases, the prophets’ teachings and instructions were introduced as the innovations of the leaders of the unbelievers. Many of today’s law systems in the world have taken the rules and regulations from Divine religions; however, without referring to their sources they introduce such regulations as original.

Reasons and motivations behind the opposition of the prophets (a)

In addition to the desire for corruption and worldly pleasure (refer to al-Māi’dah:70), there were other reasons and motivations behind the

opposition against the prophets (a). More generally traits such as selfishness, pride and self-praise appeared amongst the rich, noble and more knowledgeable of societies (refer to Ghāfir:56, al-A’rāf:76).

Another reason was the bias that such people held concerning the wrong customs and beliefs of their ancestors, which were erroneously respected by various societies (refer to al-Baqarah:170, al-Māi’dah:104, al-A’rāf:28, Yūnus:78, al-Anbiyā’:53, al- Shu’arā’:74, Luqmān:21, al-Zukhruf:22-23). The protection of economical benefits and social positions were strong motivations for the rich people, the rulers, and the scientists (refer to Hūd:84-86, al-Qasas:76-79, al-Tawbah:34); and the ignorance and lack of knowledge among the public were the main reasons behind their deception from the unbelieving leaders and their obedience towards the societal authorities. It was in turn, the cause for their feeling of satisfaction with their false beliefs and their refusal of the religion, which had already been accepted by a few people who mainly held no important social positions and had been rejected by the authorities and the majority of the societies. However, the pressure imposed by the rulers and the oppressors on the deprived should not be ignored (refer to Ibrāhīm:21, Fātir:47, Hūd:27, al-Shu’arā’:111).

Behaviour towards the prophets (a)

The opponents of the prophets (a) employed various methods to prevent the progress of their invitation:

Contempt

A group of people would try to suppress the status of the prophets by despising, mocking, and insulting them (refer to al-Hijr:11, Yāsīn:30, al-Zukhruf:7, al- Mutaffifīn:29-32) so that the public would pay no attention to them.

Slander and unjust accusations

Then they would spread slander and lies, and attribute unjust accusations to the prophets, such as claiming they were mad etc (refer to al-A’rāf:66, al-Baqarah:13, al-Mu’minūn:25). When the prophets performed miracles, they slandered them by calling them magicians and tricksters (refer to al-Dhāriyāt:39,52-53, al-Anbiyā’:3, al- Qamar:2); they also described the Divine messages as being myths and imaginary tales (refer to al-An’ām:25, al-Anfāl:31, al-Nahl:24, al-Mu’minūn:83, al-Furqān:5, al-Naml:68, al-Ahqāf:17, al-Qalam:15, al-Mutaffifīn:14).

Dispute and chicanery

The leaders of the unbelievers would prohibit people from listening to the prophets when they warned them of the results of disbelief and rebellion against God, and the benefits and rewards of following the true way, even though they used reason and wisdom in their speeches. Such infidels would then employ weak and ridiculous arguments, covered in beautiful words in an attempt to deceive the public and prevent them from obeying the prophets (refer to Nūh:7, Fussilat:26, al- An’ām:112,121, Ghāfir:5,35, al-A’rāf:70-71, al-Kahf:56). In so doing, they frequently mentioned their ancestors’ way of life (refer to al-Baqarah:170, al- Māi’dah:104, al

A’rāf:28, al-Anbiyā’:53, Yūnus:78, Luqmān:21) and always proudly referred to their wealth and worldly progress. They also referred to the worldly weaknesses and backwardness of the prophets’ followers, as an indicator of their false beliefs and behaviour (refer to Yūnus:88, Saba’:35, al-Qalam:14, Maryam:77, al- Muddaththir:12, al-Muzzammil:11, al-Ahqāf:11). In some cases they argued as to why God had not chosen his messengers from amongst the angels, and as to why had the prophets not been accompanied by angels. They also argued as to why had God not provided the prophets with enough economical and financial support (refer to al- An’ām:7-9, al-Isrā’:90-95, al-Furqān:4-8). On some occasions, they went to the extent that they said:

“We will believe (in God) provided that the revelation is exposed to us, or we see God and listen to His words directly” (refer to al- Baqarah:118, al-An’ām:124, al-Nisā’:153).

Threats and allurement

Another method of opposition that is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an is that the various nations would threaten the prophets and their followers with torture, and drive them out of their town or country by trying to stone them to death or by other means of execution (refer to Ibrāhīm:13, Maryam:46, Hūd:91, Yāsīn:18, Ghāfir:26). The infidels to the contrary, allured the people by spending vast quantities of money, in order to make them disobey the prophets (refer to al- Anfāl:36).

Violence and murder

Finally, when the unbelievers faced the patience, tolerance, firmness, and coolness of the prophets, (refer to Ibrāhīm:12) and realized the seriousness and dedication of the prophets’ true followers, they lost hope with their propaganda and other discouraging tricks and instead made threats through violent means, which subsequently resulted in the murder of many of the prophets (refer to al-Baqarah:61,87,91, al-Māi’dah: 70, Āl-‘Imrān:21,112,181, al- Nisā’:155). This left the society deprived of the greatest heavenly gifts and the most deserving social leaders.

Some heavenly approached in ruling societies

The main reason behind the mission of the prophets was to enlighten the people concerning matters pertaining to this world and the Hereafter, and through revelation to provide them with all the necessary proof of His existence (refer to al-Nisā’:65, Tāha:134). However Almighty God due to His endless mercy and most perfect wisdom provided the people with a specific psychological background from which to accept the prophets’ invitation, at the time of their mission. Such a background also assisted the development of the prophets’ movement. Moreover, since the greatest reason for one’s infidelity and refusal of God, is the feeling of being free from want (refer to al-‘Alaq:6) and ignorance concerning the dominant and multi-sided needs of mankind, the most perfect Lord prepared the situation so that the people were aware of their needs and put their ignorance, pride, and selfishness aside. In so doing, the Almighty God allowed the people to face certain problems and preoccupations in order to make them discover their deficiencies and turn towards Him (refer to al- An’ām:42, al-A’rāf:95).

However, those whose hearts were as hard as stone, as mentioned in the Qur’an, were not affected by such problems due to their luxurious lives and amassed wealth, and subsequently they did not accept the message bought to them by the prophets (refer to al-An’ām:43, al-Mu’minūn:76) thus continuing their ignorant and false way of life.

Such people were unaffected by the prophets’ warnings and advice and accounted for any change in life of hardship into ease as the requisites of life itself, and their ancestors had also experienced such occurrences (refer to al-A’rāf:95). In this way, they continued their oppression, accumulation of wealth, and developing of power.

They ignored the fact that increased wealth and other social merits might in fact be a Divine trap and cause their misfortune in this world and the Hereafter (refer to al- A’rāf:182-183, Āl-‘Imrān:178, al-Tawbah:55,85, al-Mu’minūn:54-56).

Nevertheless, when the prophets reached the stage whereby they had numerous followers, they were able to establish an independent society, defend themselves and fight against the enemies of God under the mission of Holy war (Jihād), (refer to Āl-‘Imrāan:146, al-Tawbah:14). If the situation arose whereby it was impossible to fight against the unbelievers, the people obeyed the prophets and left their society.

When all hope had faded of the unbelievers repenting, the punishment of God plagued their societies in various ways (refer to al-‘Ankabūt:40). This indeed is the ever- lasting approach of God in governing human society (refer to Fātir:43, Ghāfir:85, Isrā’:77).

Questions

  1. What was the reaction of the people against the movement of prophets?

  2. Explain the reasons and motivations behind the opposition against the prophets.

  3. What antagonistic methods did the opponents of the prophets employ against them?

  4. Describe the divine approaches with respect to the prophets’ mission and people’s reaction against them.