of Nekounam, , Session (1868)
The guidance of humanity has, from antiquity, been a divine concern, and the Almighty God, with boundless love for His servants, has established a loving and prudent system for their guidance and direction. This system, manifested in the selection and inspiration of the divine prophets, is founded upon principles that play a fundamental role not only in the lives and missions of the prophets but also in the evolutionary trajectory of human societies. In this treatise, relying upon the noble verses of the Holy Qur'an and profound reflections, we examine the selective and providential system concerning the prophets and elucidate the common principles that prevail in the path of their mission and prophethood. From sincerity and truthfulness as the core of selection, to unparalleled monotheism and patience in adversity, all reflect a divine scheme designed by God for the guidance of His servants. The objective of this research is to open a window towards a deeper understanding of the charter of prophecy and mission, enabling readers to perceive the exalted status of the prophets and divine saints in the cosmic order with a renewed perspective.
The selection system of the prophets is a manifestation of the special providence of the Lord towards His servants. God, with His infinite wisdom and knowledge, selects those worthy of bearing the trust of prophethood. This selection is neither random nor devoid of trial but is based on rigorous ascetic practices and severe tests.
The Almighty God loves His servants passionately and entrusts their guidance to those who sincerely love His servants from the depths of their hearts. The verses of the Holy Qur'an testify that the prophets, prior to their selection, have been refined in the crucible of divine tests. God declares in a noble verse addressed to Moses (peace be upon him):
"He said, 'O Moses, indeed I have chosen you over the people with My messages and My speech; so take what I have given you and be among the grateful.'"
(Surah Al-Arf, 7:144)
This verse indicates that the selection of the prophets is rooted in Gods special providence. The inner blessings and gifts, which are of the nature of divine grace, are bestowed solely upon those who have proven their worthiness on the path of guidance.
Before entrusting the responsibility of prophethood, God tests the prophets under the harshest conditions. These ascetic practices, sometimes manifesting as deprivations, hardships, and even threats to life, serve as tools for refining the souls and spirits of the chosen ones. In this path, they are repeatedly purified in the crucible of divine trials to be cleansed of all impurities.
The selective system of the prophets is an embodiment of divine wisdom and love. By choosing those who have emerged victorious from severe tests, God entrusts the guidance of His servants to reliable hands. This system not only guarantees the competence of the prophets but also serves as a model for every human being who advances on the path of perfection.
Continuing the examination of the prophetic selection system, we arrive at a fundamental principle that plays a pivotal role in the choice of every prophet: sincerity and truthfulness. This characteristic is not only a necessary condition for selection but also constitutes the essence of the mission.
The Holy Qur'an, in describing Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), places special emphasis on the attribute of sincerity:
"And mention in the Book, Abraham. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet."
(Surah Maryam, 19:41)
In this verse, the word "truthful" (iddq) precedes "prophet," indicating the precedence of sincerity over the rank of prophethood. Sincerity is a gem that illuminates the inner self of the prophet and renders him worthy of receiving divine revelation.
The sincerity of the prophets manifests not only before God but also in their dealings with the community. The prophets, through truthfulness in speech and conduct, earn the trust of the people and facilitate the acceptance of divine guidance. This attribute acts like a lamp that dispels the darkness of ignorance and illuminates the path towards truth.
Sincerity, as the most central principle in the selection of prophets, guarantees their merit and eases the guidance of the community. This characteristic reveals the profound connection between the prophets and the Lord and demonstrates the commitment they uphold towards their mission.
Monotheism forms the foundation of the prophets mission, and recognition of the One God is the spirit breathed into the body of prophecy. The prophets, with hearts filled with belief in the unity of God, undertake the guidance of the community towards the truth.
The Holy Qur'an, in describing the unparalleled monotheism of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), states:
"Shall I take other than Him gods? If the Most Merciful intends for me harm, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me."
(Surah Y Sn, 36:23)
This verse reveals the depth of the prophets monotheistic belief, wherein they acknowledge no entity other than God as active or effective. With hearts filled with monotheism, they reject all forms of polytheism and idolatry.
Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), in dialogue with his uncle, explicitly declares the futility of idols:
"When he said to his father, 'O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear and does not see and will not benefit you at all?'"
(Surah Maryam, 19:42)
This statement demonstrates the strong reasoning of the prophets against polytheism. They prove the invalidity of worshipping anything other than God with clear and firm logic.
Monotheism, as the spirit of the mission, not only distinguishes the prophets from other humans but also enables the guidance of the community towards the truth of divine unity. The prophets, with hearts filled with mon
