ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Theological Instructions LESSON TWENTY-ONE: THE ISSUES CONCERNING PROPHETHOOD Introduction We know that the most fundamental issues to be solved by every intellectual individual in order for him to live an intelligent life are: Where did the existence of man and the universe originate? Who manages this creation? What is the end and where lie’s the purpose of man?

By focusing upon the required needs for the realisation of a true path of felicity, what are the means to accomplish such perfection and with whom does it lie? The proper answer for these questions would be the three principles: oneness of God, resurrection, (ma’ād), and prophethood (nubuwwah). These are considered as the fundamental beliefs in all the monotheistic religions.

In the beginning of this book we have provided investigations concerning the issues of theology and arrived upon the result that all creation is created by One being, and all are under the decree of His wisdom and none can in any dimension be ever independent from Him. This subject has been proven by intellectual arguments and we have explained that these types of issue can only be resolved by the intellect.

The arguments and proofs from religious texts can only be accepted when one has proven the existence of God and their authenticity. The establishment of the sayings of the Prophet (s) and Imams (a) is dependent upon the establishment of prophethood and leadership, which necessitates the traditions being reliable and authentic.

Hence intellectual reasoning must first prove the principle of prophethood, and then later the legitimacy of the Noble Qur’an can be used and applied for proving specific issues. The details and the specifics of resurrection must be proven from revelation; nevertheless intellectual reasoning can also be used to prove this principle.

Therefore for the explanation of the issues of prophethood and resurrection one must first establish the principle of prophethood and resurrection through the intellect. Once the reliability of the Noble Qur’an and the legitimacy of the Prophet of Islam (s) are confirmed then the specifics of these two sections can be proven in the peripheries of the Book and traditions. By focusing upon the pattern of learning, it is preferable and likeable that we distinguish between these two issues.

We will initially discuss the issues concerning prophethood and then explain the topic of resurrection.