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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Theological Instructions LESSON TWENTY-THREE: RESOLVING CERTAIN SOURIOUS DOUBTS Resolving certain spurious doubts In relation to the arguments discussed on proving the necessity for the nomination of prophets, certain questions and doubts were raised. Following are the answers to those spurious doubts: The requirement of Divine Wisdom is the nomination of prophets in order for the guidance of man.

Why then were they all nominated within the limited geographical location, i.e. the Middle East? Further to this why were all the other parts of the world subsequently deprived from this guidance, considering that at that time the system of correspondence and communication was extremely limited? It is thus possible that nations and people remained without any information regarding the message of the prophets.

The response to these questions is that the appearance of the prophets (a) was not confined to a certain location and the noble verses of the Qur’an state that God has sent prophets to every nation: “Indeed We have sent you with the truth as a bearer of good news and as a warner; and there is not a nation but a warner has passed in it”(Fātir:24).

“Certainly We raised an apostle in every nation [to preach:] ‘Worship Allah, and keep away from the Rebel.” (al-Nahl:36) The Qur’an has mentioned the names of only a few of the prophets (a) and does in no way indicate that they are the only prophets. Rather the Qur’an itself has mentioned that there were several prophets whose names are not mentioned in it: “And apostles We have recounted to you earlier and apostles We have not recounted to you,” (al-Nisā’:164).

The second answer that can be given to the above question is that there must be a way beyond sense perception and intellect that can be utilised for guiding mankind. However, the issue of someone becoming guided depends on two conditions, the first is that the person must desire to be blessed and utilise the bounty provided by God, and the second condition is there must be no obstacles in the way from others for their guidance.

Hence, some individuals were deprived from the prophets (a) guidance due to the first reason, and others due to the second reason, whereby many individuals have created obstacles in the way of the universal guidance of the prophets (a).