We previously spoke of the ideological tradition of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) in invitation of people to monotheism and negation of polytheist outlooks; and reminded that any thought and measure which would be in contrast to belief in God Almighty is considered as polytheism in the view of Holy Quran.

Furthermore, we pointed out that the tradition of the Prophet of Islam was to invite people toward God based on insight and awareness.

Thereafter, the personal and social accomplishments of monotheism were studied and ultimately the dimensions and theoretical and practical aspects of monotheism were researched. Today, we want to take into consideration the principle of prophet hood which is rooted in belief in monotheism. In other words, those who maintain a strong faith in God, also undoubtedly have faith in the prophet hood of prophets and divine revelations. They are certain that God appointed the prophets to convey divine messages to human community.

Undoubtedly, any leading figure who would want to make a development in the community should start with shaping a development within self to practically make a difference in the world. God Almighty, in order to show the practical commitment of the Prophet of Islam toward divine revelations, noted: “Say, ‘I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord…”

The important question which springs to mind is what is the goal of prophecy of divine prophets?

In response, it should be said that humans, in addition to maintenance of a materialistic and physical existence, maintain a spiritual and humane life too, and if mankind turns toward the spiritual aspect of his existence, the community will be secure, amicable, just, and peaceful.

In the Age of Ignorance; corruption, bloodshed, ignorance, poverty, polytheism, and idolatry had deeply infiltrated into the community and no trace of spiritual life of mankind could be found. Under such an atmosphere, the Prophet of Islam endeavored to revive ethics in the community, and to change outlooks, to make a fundamental difference in the community’s inclinations and tendencies, and to rescue the society, which was bogged down in the quagmire of materialism.

The 24th ayah of Surat al-Anfal in Holy Quran notes: “O you who have faith! Answer Allah and the Apostle when he summons you to that which will give you life.”

The other important step which the Prophet of Islam took for revival of the community was to purify souls. This is because when human souls are cleared from traces of polytheism, disbelief, and immoralities, the stage will be set for the growth and elevation of the community. The Islamic culture refers to such changes as purification of souls. To continue this development and change, man should acquire an in-depth awareness to treasure spiritual life and ethical values, and to avoid any possible deviation from the righteous path in the future.

The 164th ayah of Surat al-I’Imran in Holy Quran notes: “Allah certainly favored the faithful when He raised up among them an apostle from among themselves to recite to them His signs and to purify them, and to teach them the Book and wisdom, and earlier they had indeed been in manifest error.”

The Prophet of Islam, in order to show that the path which he had chosen upon God’s instruction was the path of previous prophets, approved of the previous prophets’ prophet hoods and heavenly books. This is one of the prominent features of Muslims, who without any prejudice, have faith in the divine prophets such as Prophet Abraham, Prophet Moses, and Prophet Jesus and their heavenly books; although they emphasis that Torah and Bible have not remained intact. In the same time, no trace of such a viewpoint is observed in the standpoint of some of the followers of Judaism and Christianity; and Muslims, throughout the course of history have had to face disrespect toward Holy Quran and the Prophet of Islam by a number of Jews and Christians.

The most important factor that can lead the followers of all religions and the human community to maintain their ideological, ethical, personal, and social commitments, is belief in the Day of Resurrection, which has been the common principle of all prophets. If humans would accept that there is life after death and they will be held accountable for all of their vivid and hidden conducts before the divine court of justice; they would certainly pay more attention to their actions. Some wrongly imagine that death marks the end of life, while death is in fact a continuation of worldly life. Man is not destroyed with death and in fact starts a new life. Divine justice warrants a Day of Judgment. This is because the material world cannot be an appropriate venue for rewarding benefactors and punishing wrongdoers due to its existing restrictions and limitations.

In the material world, man can escape justice. However, this is not the case in the Day of Judgment. If mankind would maintain such a view and belief, he would not easily commit sins; would not trample upon others’ rights; and would not turn a blind eye to all divine values. Thus, the Prophet of Islam urges the human community to believe in God and to consider belief in the Day of Resurrection as an irrefutable, logical, and principled belief.

MR/ME