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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Thought (Ma‘arif Islami) Book Two Section Two: The Contributions and Blessings of the Prophets General Objectives After studying this discourse, students are expected: To be acquainted with the contributions and blessings of the prophets (‘a) in the domains of science, ethics, social justice, and mysticism; and To realize the status of knowledge in religion and to be informed about the various approaches concerning the relationship between science and religion.

In the discussion on the necessity of prophethood, we pointed out a set of blessings of prophethood the absence of which would indicate failure in the guidance and deliverance of man or at least would make it very difficult for man to tread the path of felicity. Now, we shall make an overview of the blessings of the prophets which facilitate wayfaring in the valley of deliverance in this world and the hereafter.

The Prophets and Morality Ethics or morality [ akhlāq ] which is one of the perennial foundations of human life has always been observed. It is so valuable that even those who are practically deprived of it verbally praise and wish to have it. Within ethics there is discussion about voluntary actions and man’s psychological judgment on their being good or bad, mandatory or not mandatory.

As the spokespersons of religion, the prophets ( ‘a ) have a pivotal role and contribution within the domain of ethics. Some functions of the prophets ( ‘a ) and divine revelation in the domain of ethics are related to the identification of the goodness or badness of man’s volitional actions and states. The function of revelation is to introduce and identify truths. Revelation expounds in detail what the intellect generally perceives.

In addition to this, the prophets ( ‘a ) and revelation have another vital role or function which is related to moral training. This role or function manifests itself in two ways: Divine revelation facilitates moral training and development. That is, because it regards moral actions in this world as the preconditions for happiness and prosperity in the next world, it encourages progress in this regard.

In fact, eternal happiness and prosperity is a reflection of the moral actions or righteous deeds of the world. Through their actions, the prophets ( ‘a ) set perfect examples for mankind and pave the necessary practical grounds for moral training.