![THE NECESSITY OF PROPHETHOOD THE NECESSITY OF PROPHETHOOD](https://istanbulmosques.com/image/cache/catalog/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-11-22%20at%2011.38.08-1130x400w.jpeg)
THE
NECESSITY OF PROPHETHOOD
Islam tells us clearly that there is
no deity to worship but Allah, who had given beginning and life to everything
out of nothing. However, one may ask whether human beings could find the
Almighty Allah by themselves or not, and if that was the case, why did we need
prophets to deliver the message of Allah? Therefore, we will try to explain the
necessity of prophethood and, hence, revelation.
Firstly, we have to know that humans
are created with free will. That is, it is up to people to act upon the good and
evil in life, even though it is obligated in Islam to act upon the good and
obey Allah. Indeed, Allah bestowed upon intellect to human beings, with which
we can separate good and evil. It is with the same intellect that we can deduce
the existence of Allah. However, this intellect provides us limited knowledge
about good and evil, and more importantly Allah. Intellect usually provides us
general knowledge about things, and not the particular situations or the nature
and attributes of Allah. Therefore, sending prophets to teach and guide people
was a blessing from Allah since it also provides free will for humans. He could
have created us with the exact knowledge of all particulars, and it would be
obligatory to obey them. However, Allah provided a journey for humans through
prophets in which they can learn the existence of Allah, His attributes, good
and evil, and whether they are willing to act upon that knowledge or not.
It is said in the Quran; “He said, “Our Lord is He who gave each thing
its form and then guided [it]” (Qur’an 20:50). People seek and receive
guidance all through their life in various situations from people like parents,
teachers and friends. Therefore, it is indeed the most logical, wise and
benevolent thing to do to send messengers to the creation of His to achieve
happiness both in this world and in the hereafter. Through messengers and
revelation, He introduced himself and made Himself known and His blessings to
humankind as well as His compassion. There is also wisdom in His choosing of
prophets among people like us. Allah says “Surely
there was a good example for you in the Messenger of Allah, for all
those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much”
(Qur’an 33:21). Prophets were ordinary people except for their high moral
values and good conduct which prevented them from committing sins. That is to
say, they lived like us. They were born, ate, drank, slept and died. It is
important because it makes it easier for people to take example of them and
their life to follow. If they were chosen among angels or God-like creatures,
it would be impossible to take them, their personalities and their deeds as
role models in our lives.
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