of Nokounam, , Session (1869)
Guidance of servants has historically been at the core of Divine attention, and Almighty God, with infinite love and boundless wisdom, has designed a system wherein select individuals from among humans and angels bear the responsibility of directing creation. This system, manifested in the selection and motivation of the Prophets and Divine saints, rests upon principles that not only illuminate the path of mission but also provide guidance for a deeper understanding of the exalted status of Divine guides within the cosmos. In this treatise, through reflection upon the Noble Quranic verses and the common principles of Prophethood, we examine the characteristics of the Prophets; from sincerity and monotheism to patience in the face of mockery and enmity, all of which reflect a Divine plan prepared by God for the salvation and perfection of His servants. The objective is to open a window towards recognising the charter of Prophethood and mission, enabling readers to contemplate the role of the Prophets in human guidance with a novel perspective.
The selection system of the Prophets is an embodiment of the special providence of the Lord towards His servants. God, with infinite knowledge and wisdom, chooses those who possess the merit to bear the trust of Prophethood. This selection is based upon trials and austerities that polish the souls and spirits of the chosen ones.
God loves His servants so deeply that He entrusts their guidance only to those whose hearts are filled with affection for creation. The Noble Quran, addressing Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), states:
He said: O Moses, verily I have chosen you above the people with My messages and My speech; therefore take what I have given you and be of the thankful.
(Quran, Surah Al-Araf, 7:144)
This verse signifies that the chosenness of the Prophets is rooted in Divine grace. The inner blessings, which are a form of special providence from the Lord, are granted solely to those who have demonstrated their merit on the path of guidance.
Before entrusting the Prophetic mission, God subjects the Prophets to Divine trials. These austerities, sometimes manifesting as deprivation, hardships, and even threats to life, serve as tools for purifying the souls and spirits of the chosen from all impurities.
The system of selecting the Prophets is a manifestation of Divine wisdom and love. God, by choosing those who have remained steadfast in severe tests, entrusts the guidance of the servants to reliable hands. This system serves as a model for every human who treads the path of perfection.
Continuing the examination of the selection system, we arrive at a fundamental principle pivotal in the appointment of every Messenger: sincerity and truthfulness. This attribute constitutes the essence of the mission.
The Noble Quran, 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.
(Quran, Surah Maryam, 19:41)
The precedence of the word truthful over prophet in this verse demonstrates the centrality of sincerity in chosenness. Sincerity is a jewel that illuminates the inner being of the Prophet and renders him worthy of receiving revelation.
The sincerity of the Prophets manifests not only before God but also before their communities. They garner the trust of the people through truthfulness in speech and deed, thereby paving the way for acceptance of Divine guidance.
Sincerity, as the most central principle in the selection of the Prophets, guarantees their merit and facilitates the guidance of the nation. This attribute reflects a profound commitment to the Divine mission.
Monotheism forms the foundation of the Prophetic mission, and the recognition of the One God is the spirit breathed into the very body of Prophethood. The Prophets, with hearts brimming with belief in God's unity, guide their nations towards truth.
The Noble Quran describes the monotheism of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) as follows:
Shall I take for worship other than Him gods who, if the Most Merciful intends for me harm, will not avert it from me, nor can they rescue me?
(Quran, Surah Ya-Sin, 36:23)
This verse reveals the depth of the Prophets monotheistic belief, that they recognise no entity except God as active and effective.
Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), in conversation with his uncle, demonstrates the futility of idol worship:
When he said to his father, O my father, why do you worship that which neither hears nor sees nor benefits you at all?
(Quran, Surah Maryam, 19:42)
This statement manifests the firm reasoning of the Prophets against polytheism.
Monotheism is the spirit of the mission, and the Prophets, with hearts filled with recognition of the One God, lead the servants towards their Lord.
The Prophets are channels of Divine grace, tasked with directing the servants towards God. Any autonomous view of the Prophets contradicts the essence of the mission.
The Noble Quran critiques autonomous perceptions of the Prophets as follows:
They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and also the Messiah, son of Mary; yet they were commanded to worship only one God there is no god but He. Glory be to Him above what they associate with Him!
(Quran, Surah At-Tawbah, 9:31)
This verse underscores the intermediary role of the Prophets and rejects any deification of them.
The Quran warns:
And never would the Messenger command you to take the angels and the Prophets as l
