Theological Instructions

LESSON THIRY-ONE: THE PROPHET OF ISLAM

Introduction

God had sent mankind numerous prophets in different eras and different places. They have played an important role in guiding and training people, by which they have left illuminating effects upon human society. Every one of them, on the basis of true beliefs and exalted values, trained special groups and also indirectly influenced those outside these groups. Some of them were even successful in establishing a monotheistic and just society and became their leaders.

Among them were Noah (a), Abraham (a), Moses (a), and Jesus (a), who all conveyed Divine scriptures. These scriptures included a system of rules for the individual and society, as well as ethical responsibilities and laws in accordance with the requirements and conditions of time and space. However, these scriptures either deteriorated completely or they were literally and conceptually altered. Ultimately the Divine religions and laws became distorted.

Likewise the Torah of Moses has been outrageously altered and nothing remains of the Gospel (evangel) of Jesus, except the collective hand written testaments by the associates of Christ, now known as the Holy Bible.

Any individual with an open mind who looks into the testaments would surely realise that none of them are the books that were revealed to Moses or Jesus.

Moreover the Torah apart from characterising God as a man has also regarded Him as regretting many of His actions. God is described as wrestling with one of his servants (Jacob) and could not defeat him, eventually imploring him to spare Him in order that the people would not see their God in such a predicament! Other than these deviant tales, the Torah also relates inconsiderate actions to the Divine prophets, such as the fornication of David (a) with a chaste woman and as for Lot (a) it says that he drank alcohol and fornicated with his daughter (far be this act). Besides these accusations the illustrations of the demise of the Prophet Moses - who brought the Torah itself - is mentioned within it. These points are sufficient enough to understand that the Torah we have now is not from Moses.

Nevertheless the state of the Bible is direr than that of the Torah, as the Christians themselves agree that nothing of what was revealed to Jesus remains, rather they have the synopsis of it, which are from the companions of Jesus. Apart from legitimising alcohol, the Bible regards it as a miracle of Christ!

It is thus clear and obvious that such distorted texts could in no way be suitable for guiding mankind. However, to understand how and why these deteriorations and alterations took place, one must look into the detailed accounts mentioned, which cannot be discussed here.

In the sixth century after the birth of Christ, when the entire world was filled with the darkness of ignorance and oppression and the torches of guidance were dimmed, God sent the best of the prophets to the worse of societies, in order to perpetuate the light of Revelation for mankind. The Revelation was protected from any alteration and was to remain with man. It

contained true knowledge, laws and order for the society, as well as Divine Wisdom. Such information was to lead man towards the felicity of this world and the next.

Imam Ali (a) in one of his sermons (Nahj al- Balagha, sermon 87) describes the state of the world at the advent of Islam:

“Allah sent the Prophet (s) when the mission of other prophets had stopped and the people were in slumber for along time. Evil was raising its head; all matters were in disruption and in the flames of war, while the world was devoid of brightness, and full of open deceitfulness. Its leaves had turned yellow and there was absence of hope about its fruit, while the water had gone underground. The minarets of guidance had disappeared and signs of destruction had appeared. It was stern to its people and frowned in the face of its seeker. Its fruit was vice and its food was a carcass. Its inner dress was fear and its outer cover was the sword.” From the time of the Prophet of Islam (s) the most important subject for human beings has been the investigation of the reality of the prophecy of the Prophet of Islam and the truth of the immaculateness of the religion of Islam. The establishment of the authenticity of Islam and the Prophet will consequently prove the reality of the Qur’an as being the only Divine book present in its pure and unaltered form that has remained in hands of man. This will also establish the recognition of the true belief, value system and practical responsibilities in Islam as being perpetual and as being the only solution for resolving the problems of ideology and worldview.

The establishment of the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (s)

In lesson twenty-seven we mentioned that the proof of prohethood is established in three ways; firstly by studying the way of life of the apostle through dependable sources, secondly through the prophecies of the previous prophets and thirdly through the performance of miracles.

In the case of the Prophet of Islam, all three ways were accomplished, as the people of Mecca had closely observed the life of the Prophet of Islam for forty years and certified that he was perfect in every way. They knew him for his unsurpassable character and righteousness and due to this they called him the trustworthy (al-Amīn).

The probability of such a character being dishonest and fabricating a false proclamation is not conceivable.

From another angle the previous prophets have informed of the nomination of such a prophet and certain individuals from the People of the Book (ahl al-kitāb) were anticipating his arrival. Even the Arabs from the Ignorant era proclaimed that someone from the lineage of Ishmael (a) would be nominated as a prophet and would correct the unitary religions of the previous prophets.

On the basis of the clear signs and traditions some of the Jewish and Christian scholars accepted Islam and believed in the apostleship of the Prophet of Islam but others due to the lowly and satanic desires rejected him as prophet. The Noble Qur’an in this regard has mentioned:“Is it not a sign for them that the learned Children of Israel recognize it?” (al-Shu’arā’:197).

Understanding about the Prophet of Islam through the scholars of Banī Israel, on the basis of the prophecies of their prophets, provides clear evidence for his apostleship.

This was an absolute and definitive proof for the People of the Book to accept the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam. They had clearly recognised the signs with their own eyes and could analyse the truth of the prophecy of the Prophet of Islam through their own intellects.

Despite the distorted Bible and Torah, and the attempts to eradicate any indication or prophecy regarding the Prophet of Islam, traces of evidence can still be found, confirming the matter for those who seek the truth. There are many Jewish and Christian scholars who while looking for the truth, were guided through these remaining proofs and accepted the pure religion of Islam.[1]

The Prophet of Islam further performed many miracles that have been recorded in the books of history and the traditions and narrations relating them have reached the level of certainty (mutawātir).[2]

Questions

1- Describe the conditions of the books of the previous prophets?

2- Indicate a few points that illustrate the alteration of the Torah.

3- Describe the in-authenticity of the Bible?

4- Explain the importance of the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam.

5- What are the ways of establishing the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam?