We know by our instinct that there are some matters over...

We know by our instinct that there are some matters over which we have no authority, concerning which we have no choice, like birth, death, happiness, unhappiness, affluence, poverty; etc. Such matters (which we may call our conditions) are totally in God's hands, although man has to fulfil his duties in that area too, at least in preliminary stages.

Also there are our "actions" which we instinctively know are done with our own will and choice, like speaking truth or lie, helping someone or refusing him help, etc. Some Muslims think that man has no authority on this matter too. Others believe that man is totally independent in his actions and Allah has nothing to do with it.

But we, the Shi'a Ithna-'ashariyah, believe that man, in his actions, is neither compelled by Allah nor independent of Allah's control; the reality lies in between these two extremes. To explain it fully, I would like to give you an example written by our present Mujtahid, Ayatullah as-Sayyid Abul Qasim al-Khoui. Suppose there is a man whose hand is totally paralyzed; he by himself cannot move even a finger.

A doctor has fitted a device on his hand which, when activated by a remote-control, restores the hand to normal condition and allowing the man the use of hand in whatever way he likes. The doctor has kept the remote-control in his custody. He has switched that control on, and it is the man who decides whether to use his newly-found power and strength for good cause or evil; the doctor does not Interfere, although if he wanted he coufd switch it off.

Now, the good or bad actions done by that person are not done by the doctor's will and choice; but at the same time they are not totally independent of the doctor In the same way, we do whatever we do by our own free will and choice but the power to do so Is given us by Allah who may "switch it off" any time he pleases. Q. 18: MEANING OF NUBUWWAT What is the meaning of Nubuwwat And what is Nubuwwat? A. To show us the Straight Path, Allah has been sending His representatives to the mankind.

They are called nabii (Prophet) and rasul (Messenger). The rank of the Messengers was higher than the Prophets. Every Messenger was also a Prophet but not vice versa. Q. 19: NUMBER OF PROPHETS: How many Prophets came into the world? A. There came in all 124,000 Prophets, 313 of which were Messengers. The Prophethood started with the first man, Adam, and ended with Muhammad, the Holy Prophet of Islam.