and not in delivering the Divine messages.
Anwar:How is that? I did not get you!
Hasan:The Glorious Allah ordered us to model after the Prophets in both individual and social life, but he did not order us to model after them in regard to delivering the Divine messages, because it is something that the Prophets do only. In other words, the rubric of a prophet (Sunna) is what he says, what he does and what it is reported from him.
Prophet Mohammed says:“Say prayer the way you saw me doing”. This is a proof to rely on actions and not words. What the Prophet do has to be used by us as evidence as it is also mentioned in the Noble Quran:
(Lo! We reveal unto thee the Scripture with the truth, that thou mayst judge between mankind by that which Allah showeth thee. And be not thou a pledder for the treacherous.)4;105.
To do is what matters and if errors occur at all while implementing, injustice and chaos will prevail.
For instance, if the Prophet (PBUH) takes a person in to take his arms, doesn’t that mean that this person was
accepted and liked by the Prophet (PBUH) and that we have to respect this person?
Anwar:Of course, this is obvious.
Hasan:This judgment of us on this person comes from what the Prophet (PBUH) did and not what he said. This is a proof to the fact that actions or deeds determine what we ought to do.
Anwar:This is very correct and reasonable. Let’s move on to the second attribute, namely ‘honesty and integrity’. What can you tell us about it?
Hasan:Guiding and leading people require a guide and a leader who can give them peace and tranquility, so he has to be infallible from and far above everything that would make people detest him and run away from him. I will mention a few of them:
· Being far above the lowliness and villainy of the parents will help in attracting people to him and letting people trust in him.
· Being healthy is also important, i.e. not having any physical disabilities or diseases such as leprosy.
· Nobility of character and good temper are of great significance in attracting people. The opposite definitely make people run away from him. The following Verse from the Noble Quran is a proof to this:
(It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them, for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart, they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo Allah loveth those who put their trust in Him)3;159.
· Being fully sane and mentally sound has also a significant role in leading and guiding people.
· Good reputation and good breeding is of great assistance.
Anwar:Excellent. Now, what about the third attribute which is ‘the advantage that knowledge gives to a prophet’?
Hasan:it is almost the prayer time. Let’s get ready.
Anwar:Yes, thank you.
Symposium 36
More on Attributes of the Prophets (PBUT)
Anwar:May Allah accept your prayers.
Hasan:Yours too, Inshallah.
Anwar:Let’s go back to the third attribute, now.
Hasan:Yes. A prophet has to have a comprehensive knowledge of not only the Pillars of Islam (Osul Al-Din) and their divisions (Foru’ Al-Din), but also of anything that brings happiness to mankind in this life and the next life. Having this knowledge is very important in serving the purpose for which the prophet was sent.
A prophet has to have the upper hand when it comes to knowledge so that no one could be superior to him and consequently he would be followed and obeyed. In order to have such knowledge, he has to have a Divine
bond with the Most Wise; these Holy Verses emphasize this fact:
(Nor doth he speak of his own desire۞It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired)53;3-4.
(…and whatsoever the messenger giveth you, take it. And whatsoever he forbiddeth, abstain from it. And keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is stern in reprisal.)59;7.
Anwar:All right. I think it is time now to talk about the fourth attribute or characteristic of the prophets, namely ‘competence in leadership’.
Hasan:People need a unique leader with capability to make decisions, guide the society and manage people’s daily life. This also includes spiritual leadership to obey the Most Exalted Allah. This point is well presented in this Verse from the Noble Quran:
(So they routed them by Allah’s leave and David slew Goliath; and Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom, and taught him of that which He willeth. And if Allah had not repelled some men by others the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is a Lord of Kindness to His creatures.)2;251.
This form of leadership is only possible through a well-equipped and a highly qualified person in decision making, guidance and management.
Anwar:Will you please delight our ears with some words from Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and his Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT)?
Hasan:Sure. It is reported from the Prophet (PBUH) that“Leadership is only appropriate for a man with three characteristics: a pious person who restrains from disobeying Allah, a forbearing person who contains his anger, a good manager who is merciful like a father”.
Moreover, Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) addresses people in this matter by saying“O people! The person who is more entitled to this is the straighter one and the one having more knowledge of Allah among them, as when a rioter disturbs the peace, he is to blame and when he refuses, he is to fight against”.
Anwar:Well said. I deeply enjoyed it.
Hasan:God bless you. We are now done with the issue of general prophecy.
Anwar:Does this mean there is also special prophecy?
Hasan:Yes. We will talk about it soon, Inshallah.
Anwar:Inshallah.
Symposium 37
Words on Special Prophecy
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom, Akhi Hasan!
Hasan:‘Alaykom As-Salam! How are you doing?
Anwar:I am fine, thanks God! You promised to tell me about the special prophecy and the Islamic Call (Da’wa).
Hasan:This call emerged in a time full of paganism, polytheism, tyranny, oppressors, suffering and aggression. To cleanse the world from all the wrongdoings and offenses, there had to be a man with a celestial bond able to guide people, to educate people and to get them out of darkness to light.
Anwar:Does such a man have to rise to carry all this burden necessarily after injustice and corruption prevail?
Hasan:At the time of prophets and messengers, they are responsible for such burdens; after them, this responsibility is passed to their trustees. This is because the Almighty Allah always has someone representing the reason. It is part of His Divine Wisdom to send a prophet or a messenger when the world needs one. That is why Mohammad Bin Abdullah (PBUH) came with his sealing call to guide people and spread justice.
Anwar:Can we specify the date when the Islamic Call started according to Gregorian calendar?
Hasan:The Honorable Messenger (PBUH) began his call in early seventh century – in 610 A.D. – with his family and his tribe so they support his cause. Then, he spread his message to others, Arabs and non-Arabs. During this period, the prophet, his companions and his followers engaged in wars and conquests in order to exalt the name of Allah against the disbelievers. As a result, he successfully delivered his Divine message and spread his celestial call; this was around 633 A.D. His disciples