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.”
QURØN _ 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
MOHAMMAD.
“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.” .
QURØN _ S33: 7 .
“Bear up them with patience as did the ARCHPROPHETS before you, and be
in no haste about the unbelievers.” .
QURØN _ 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, it is a
false claim. .
“Mohammad 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.” .
QURØN _ S33: 40 .
13_ 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 fo Divine Religions, whether they live in the Islamic countries
or elsewhere. This has an exception of those non_Moslims who are
combatants against Islam and Moslims. .
"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. .
QURØN 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
hand_hold that never breaks. Allah hears and knows all things. .
QURØN _ S2: 256 .
WE BELIEVE that if the Moslims do what their religion tells them to do,
their deeds are enough to present and spread Islam, and no force or
complusion is needed for that .
14_ 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 loose their confidence
on them, and would not
know them good mediators to act between them and God.
If in QURØN, guilts 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 .
15_ 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 taught the scriptures.”
QURØN _ 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)”
QURØN _ S4: 172 .
The histories written to_day show that among the early christians in the first
century (A.D.), the TRINITY did not exist at all. It appeared later.
16_ MIRACLES AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNSEEN .
Being the servant of God doesn’t prevent the phrophet 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. .
QURØN _ 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…”
QURØN _ S3: 49 .
Mohammad the prophet of Islam too, declared many secrets by the way of
God’s inspiretion. .
“That is of the unseen reports which we reveal by inspiration unto you.” .
QURØN _ S12 _ 102 .
So the prophets may inform of the unseen through the inspiration of God. It is
in QURØN 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.”
QURØN _ S6: 50 .
This, of course, refers to the substantil 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 QURØN; 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.)”
QURØN _ S3: 49 .
17 _ 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.”
QURØN _ S10: 3 .
“Who is there to intercede in His presence, except with His permission.”
QURØN _ S2: 255 .
If in some of the QURØNIC verses we see that intercesion is rejeted: 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.” .
QURØN _ S2: 254 .
Here the independent intercession is meant which is not by the leave of
God___ We have always
repeated that some of QURØNIC verses describ 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.
18_ 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
MOHAMMAD) to ask Allah’s forgiveness for them, they surely would have
found Allah an acceptor of their repentance and the Most Merciful.”
QURØN _ S4: 64 .
In the story of JOSEPH the dreamer, found in the HOLY QURØN, 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 alvation in due time. In this respect the HOLY
BOOK has:
“They said: “O, our father! Ask forgivness 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"
QURØN _ 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 bringer of glad tiding to those who have faith.”
QURØN _ S7: 188 .
19_ 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 QURØN:
"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 ends all the
roads.”
QURØN _ 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, ISLØM to be your religion.”
QURØN _ S5: 3 .
20 _ 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 fo the prophets, Mohammad.
“Those who follow the Apostle_the unletered 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…”
QURØN _ 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 prophets 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. .
21_ 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 root 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.”
QURØN _ S57: 25 .
22_ RACIAL AND TRIBAL ADVANTAGES REJECTED .
WE BELIEVE that all the prophets, cspecially our prophet Mohammad,
admitted no Racial or Tribal advantages for any one. To them, all the races,
nations languages, and color of skin, were of equalvalue 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 Alknowing. Alaware. .
QURØN _ S49: 13 .
We have a famouse tradition that Mohmmad was in MONA during the
performance of the rites of pilgrimage (HAJ). He made a speach 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 audiance.
“Then let those who are present,” continued the Messenger of God:” convey
that to those who are absent.” .
23 _ ISLAM AND THE HUMAN NATURE .
WE BELIEVE that Monotheism, belief in God, and the commandments of the
Aposthles, 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. .
QURØN _ S30: 30 .
This is why throughout the history; Man has had some sort of deity and
Religioin. 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, 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.2