Symposium 27
Demonstrating the Meaning of Prophecy and the
Benefits of Prophethood (Bi’tha)
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom!
Hasan:‘Alaykom As-Salam Wa Rahmatollah Wa Barakatoh!
Anwar:Although I know there are still issues regarding the Divine Justice to talk about, I think they are not that necessary for this discussion.
Hasan:What we said about the Divine Justice is quite enough unless you want to specialize in this field.
Anwar:So, we now move to talk about Prophecy. Where should we begin?
Hasan:We are going to give a simplified and brief demonstration on the meaning of Prophecy, its sections and its necessity.
Anwar:That’ll be great!
Hasan:Let’s start with providing a definition for prophecy. According to religious experts: “it is a correlation between the Glorious Allah and wise people in order to introduce them to affairs related to this life and the afterlife”. Now, the prophet is a person who informs people about the Gracious Allah through one of informing ways.
Anwar:May I ask a question before we get into details?
Hasan:Yes, please!
Anwar:Is it necessary and essential to have prophets?
Hasan:Yes, it is. The Creator’s wisdom and justice demand sending Messengers to guide people and lead them to paths of happiness.
Anwar:Will you illustrate this?
Hasan:Sure. In General human beings are sociable by nature and need. That is why human societies were
established and consequently social life that calls for law and order to organize life in these societies and protect them from chaos. Te law must also be impeccable and able to fully respond to the needs of individuals specifically and societies generally. Accordingly, the one who makes the law must be qualified for making such a flawless and impeccable law.
Anwar:You illustrated man’s need for law as well as the nature of this law. Now, will you tell me about the qualifications and the attributes of the law maker?
Hasan:Of course, the law maker must
· have a complete and comprehensive knowledge of human beings,
· not be personally beneficiary of this law,
· adhere to improving the inside alongside the outside through this law.
What the Most Exalted Allah says in the Noble Quran supports this:
(We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that
mankind may observe right measure…)47;25.
Therefore, the purpose of sending the Messengers and revealing Scriptures is to enforce justice in order to attain happiness. This can only be facilitated through making a comprehensive, complete and impeccable law.
Anwar:We now know the characteristics of law and law maker as well as the need of community for this law. Are there any other benefits for prophethood or Bi’tha?
Hasan:I’ll need a break first, if you don’t mind.
Anwar:Of course, whatever you say, sir.
Symposium 28
More on the Benefits of Prophethood (Bi’tha)
Anwar:I hope you enjoyed your break and you are ready now to continue our talk.
Hasan:Thanks God. I am all ready.
Anwar:Then, Let’s start with answering the question I raised last time. What are the other benefits for prophethood or Bi’tha that make it so essential?
Hasan:Of course there are other benefits:
· The need of society for knowledge
· Protecting the nature and the innate character of human beings and restraining their instincts
· Divine’s grace
· Delivering cogency
Anwar:These points are, in fact, essential for sending prophets, but would you briefly explain them for me, please?
Hasan:Yes, I will explain each of these points in a few words.
First is ‘the need of society for knowledge’; the Almighty Allah placed some instincts in mankind and as long as these instincts cannot get human beings to the desired goal, He bestowed reason upon people to enlighten them. In spite of that, mankind is still not protected from making mistakes and going astray.
So, there should be a weapon to maintain reason with, and it is nothing but the Divine Knowledge because it develops our mind and reason, refines our soul, defines the nature of relationship we should have with the members of our communities, and guides us to the right path and away from the wrong one. All of this can only be done through the Divine Knowledge God send to people through His Ambassador or Prophets.
Anwar:Please, present some reported evidence?
Hasan:Sure. Let’s start with Quranic evidence. The Almighty Allah say:(Mankind were one community, and Allah sent unto them Prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed)2;213.
There are several Hadith referring to the impotence of human reason to comprehend all that is best for him, and there are also more Hadith on the benefits of prophethood (Bi’tha) and the necessity of sending messengers.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:“No prophet and no messenger were sent unless to complete the reason…”
Amir Al-Mu’menin Imam Ali (PBUH) Said:“The Almighty Allah sent Mohammad (PBUH) to release His slaves from worshiping idols to worshiping Him and from obeying the Devil to obeying Him.”
Imam Ali (PBUH) also said:“…until the Almighty Allah sent Mohammad as His Messenger to fulfill His promise and to realize His prophecy…and the people of
earth, at that time, were divided nations, scattered whims and separated communities all between figuring will His image among His creatures to atheism to taking others for Him instead, so He guided them through him from aberration …”
Imam Al-Kadim (PBUH) said once to his pupil, Hisham:“O Hisham, the Almighty Allah sent His Prophets and Messengers to His slaves so that they comprehend Allah; the best to follow this has the best reason and knowledge of Allah among all as well as the highest ranking in this life and the next life.”
Imam Al-Riza (PBUH), in this regard, said:“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had no equal among them; he passed His constructions, prohibitions and ethics to them so informed them on what gains benefits to them and what repels damages from them and other knowledge they need.”
Second benefit of prophethood is ‘protecting the nature and the innate character of human beings and restraining their instincts’; there are certain demands for the nature of human beings and their instincts that must be fulfilled, otherwise they will definitely die. As