The reason why monotheism is man’s innate disposition has...

The reason why monotheism is man’s innate disposition has already been explained under the discussion about the monotheism of idolaters when confronted by crises. Qur’anic verses denote that idolaters used to invoke Allah when the sea became stormy and they were afraid of drowning, and that they used to forsake their idols during those moments.

Here, it is proper for us to quote this verse: “So set your face on the religion as a people of pure faith, the origination of Allah according to which He originated mankind (there is no altering Allah’s creation; that is the upright religion, but most people do not know).” [^5] ‘ The origination of Allah ’ [in the above quoted verse] denotes monotheism. It means that Allah created man’s soul with a natural inclination to worship Allah.

It has been recounted in a hadīth transmitted from the Noble Prophet ( s ) that every person was born with an innate disposition to monotheism and the worship of Allah, but it is their parents who deviate them to Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism.[^6] The goal of prophets (‘a) is monotheism Prophets ( ‘a ) were delegated to exterminate polytheism and revive monotheism. Prophets ( ‘a ) came to deliver man from idolatry and make him a monotheist.

There are many verses in the Holy Qur’an which indicate this, some of which we will quote hereunder: “Then, after them We brought forth another generation, and We sent them an apostle from among themselves, saying, ‘Worship Allah! You have no other god besides Him.

Will they not then be wary [of Him]?’ Said the elite of his people, who were faithless and who denied the encounter of the Hereafter and whom We had given affluence in the life of the world: ‘This is just a human being like you: he eats what you eat, and drinks what you drink.

If you obey a human being like yourselves, you will indeed be losers’.” [^7] “They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah is intent on perfecting His light though the faithless should be averse.” [^8] “We did not send any apostle before you but We revealed to him that ‘There is no god except Me; so worship Me’.” [^9] It can be inferred from the above quoted verses that the aim of delegating prophets ( ‘a ) is to preach monotheism to mankind and put an end to any kind of polytheism and idolatry.

In the entire course of history, prophets ( ‘a ) fought against polytheism and polytheists.