The Second Purpose
INTRODUCTION
You ask: You say that the second part of the Proclamation of Testimony—I bear witness that there is no deity but God; and I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger—is a witness for the truth of the first part, and the first part is a witness for the truth of the second part. Is this really so?
Answer: Yes, this is so. The safest and the truest of the ways that lead to knowledge of God, which is the “Ka‘ba” of perfections, is the soundest and most radiant one which was built by the holy resident of Medina al-Munawwara, upon him be peace and blessings. That resident, Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, is the spirit of right guidance, his heart is the lamp that illuminates the unseen worlds. His truthful tongue, which is the translator of his heart, is the most articulate and truest of the proofs of the Maker’s existence and Oneness. His being and his words are both a light-diffusing proof. Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, is the most decisive and undeniable proof of the Maker, of the institution or mission of Prophethood, of the Resurrection and the afterlife, and of the truth.
A REMINDER
It is not necessary to refer to the proofs of the existence and Unity of the Maker in order to prove the truth of that holy being, Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings.
AN ESTABLISHMENT
Our Prophet is a proof for the Maker. So we should analyze this proof from certain, essential viewpoints.
In the Name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate.
O God! Bestow blessings and peace upon Muhammad, who bears witness to the absolute necessity of Your existence.
O lover of truth! If you would like to look through the window of conscience or human conscious nature, first do not assume the attitude of intentional opposition, which causes the faculty of the heart to be polluted and rust. Also, do not lend an ear to your whims and fancies, nor expect something that should be given by a community to come from every member of that community. Expecting something from every member of a community causes the denial or rejection of the result. This is a point that requires close attention.
In addition, you should purify the mirror of your heart from childish attitudes and enmity, both of which tend to searching for and taking shelter in pretexts. Also, do not look through the eyes of the customer who sees only defects and failings. Furthermore, when you weigh, weigh accurately; compare correctly. What is more, take for evidence and guidance the shining light of truth that comprises all the signposts along your way, so that you can dispel the darkness of groundless doubts and whims that may appear. Finally, listen with an attentive, careful ear, and do not object before my words are finished. All that I will utter amounts only to a sentence. When I have said all of it, you can voice your objections, if you have any.
A REMINDER
One dimension of this proof is Prophethood in general; the other is the Prophethood of Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings.
AN INDICATION
The Maker does nothing without a purpose; there are many instances of wisdom in His every act. There is an order in everything in the universe, down to the things that are seemingly the most insignificant. Nothing is neglected in creation, and humanity needs a guide on its way to eternity. All these realities demonstrate the necessity of the institution of Prophethood.
If you would like this argument to be explained, then listen:
You can see that there is an order in creation, including the world of humanity, as well as in the animal kingdom, many members of species of which have been put in the service of humanity because of the reason given to humanity. Humanity’s superiority to animals in the following three points is a proof of the necessity for Prophethood:
The first is the interesting reality of the fact that the beginning of thought is the end of action, and the beginning of action is the end of thought. That is, actions give rise to thoughts, which, in turn, lead to actions. Humanity has the capacity to be able to see the relationship between the cycles of causes and effects. In the light of this relationship, it arrives at new combinations and the forms or rules of new thoughts and behavior, as well as what we call laws which appear to be responsible for cause and effect. This is the mechanism of progress and evolution. Science is the ability to analyze those combinations, or to be able to detect the individual elements and causes and effects, which form or lead to them, and the laws that appear to be responsible. Based on these laws, humanity can develop or produce new things. However, its capacity is limited, and its abilities are defective. Thus, together with these defective and limited capacities and abilities, the desire to satisfy all of humanity’s needs, and humanity’s innate ignorance and powerlessness, as well as the fancies, caprices, suspicions, and whims that pester it constantly, cause us to be in absolute need of the guidance of Prophethood. Only through Prophethood can the perfect orderliness of the universe, with whatever is in it and whatever occurs in it, be perceived adequately. The balance and order of human life depend on the ability to perceive this universal order.
The second point is that humanity has been equipped with a great potential and has almost limitless ambitions and tendencies, barely controllable thoughts and conceptions, and the faculties of lust and anger which have not been restricted in origin, but which require education or training and restraint. This essential dimension of human existence also requires Prophethood.
AN INDICATION
Even if a person were given a life that would last millions of years in bliss and pleasure, even if they were allowed to control everything in whatever way they wished, due to the inability of this worldly life to satisfy human desires and potential, they would continue to sigh and regret and wish for more. This dissatisfaction shows that humanity has an innate tendency to eternal life and has been created for eternity so that it can activate its unrestricted potential in an unrestricted realm.
A REMINDER
There is nothing without meaning or purpose in existence, and everything is based on a reality. This indicates the fact that in this restricted world, where pleasure is mixed with pain and many hindrances intervene; in this world which never lacks in envy and mutual wrongs, it is not possible for humanity to realize the perfections towards which it is innately directed. Therefore, there must be another, more spacious realm where nothing hinders another thing, so that humanity can order its worldly life along the way to perfection and contribute to the universal order so that it will earn eternal happiness in that spacious, eternal realm.
A REMINDER AND AN INDICATION
Although it is not the subject here, I have made an indication of the Resurrection. What I want to stress here is that the human innate potential is directed towards eternity. Consider the essence of humanity and the nature of its potential together with what is required to develop it. Then, visit the faculty of imagination which is the simplest and smallest servant of human essence. Ask, “O respected faculty of imagination! I have glad tidings for you. You will be given a million years of happy life in the world. You will be able to control everything in the world as you wish. But following this life, you will be sent to eternal non-existence without being returned to life.” What do you think the answer will be? Will it receive your glad tidings happily or utter sighs and regrets? Be sure that the essence of humanity will wail in the depths of its conscience, and utter, “Alas! Woe to me that there is no eternal happiness!” It will reprimand the faculty of imagination and say to it: “Do not be content with this transient life!”
O brothers and sisters, look! If this transient happiness, even though it might last millions of years, cannot satisfy the faculty of imagination, which is just one of the servants of the human essence, how can it satisfy the human essence itself, which has many more servants, much greater and more important than the faculty of imagination? The only thing which will satisfy it is eternal happiness that lies in the Resurrection.
The third point worth mentioning in relation to the superiority of humanity over animals is the balance in the dispositions of the human, the fineness in its nature, and its tendency to make things better or more beautiful. Humanity has an inborn tendency to live in a way befitting its essential nature. It must not, and cannot, live like animals. It must lead a life befitting its essential honor. It is because of this inborn tendency that humanity needs to improve and decorate its dwelling place, clothes, and foods, and use sciences and crafts. It is not possible for an individual to have sufficient knowledge about all such sciences or crafts. Therefore, humans need to live together, co-operate with one another, and exchange their products among themselves. The satisfaction of this need requires justice and the existence of certain rules, as the desires, potentials, and faculties of humanity are not restricted from birth, and so can be the cause of aggression and injustice. Any individual mind or intellect is unable to establish the nature of this justice or these rules, as humanity is neither its own creator nor does it have true, all-embracing or universal knowledge about itself, its environment, and its future. So there must be a universal mind or intellect that has this knowledge. This is the Divinely revealed Religion. There must also be a power which can dominate the spirits and consciences of humans, and thus implement the required justice and rules. This power must have some sort of superiority over others. This power is the institution of Prophethood, which was founded by the Creator of the Universe Himself. It is He Who chose the Prophets and made them distinguished in many respects.
A Prophet inculcates the Creator’s grandeur in the minds and spirits of human beings. The Divinely revealed Religion he communicates requires regular worship, which enables people to continuously and increasingly feel the Creator’s grandeur. Worship directs thoughts and feelings to the Creator, which, in turn, lead to obedience to Him. Obedience to the Creator, Who is also the Supreme Author of the universal, magnificent order, secures the perfect public order in human life. This perfect public order is based on God’s Wisdom. The essence of God’s Wisdom is that nothing in the universe is purposeless and meaningless. The universal order, beauty, and harmony bear witness to this Wisdom.
If you have perceived the superiority of humanity over animals in respect to the three points discussed above, you have then understood that Prophethood is the central point of human existence, and that it is around this that human life revolves. Also, consider the following three points:
Firstly, individuals lack sufficient knowledge, accurate viewpoints, and the ability to know themselves in all aspects and dimensions of their existence, and they lack the ability to lead their lives in a proper way that will enable their happiness in both their individual and collective lives. In addition, they suffer whims, fancies, and errors, and are often defeated by their carnal impulses which require discipline. Therefore, humans desperately need a perfect guide and teacher; this guide is a Prophet.
Secondly, the laws and systems made by humans cannot satisfy the perennial needs and expectations of humanity, nor properly restrict its innate aggression, train its faculties appropriately, or correctly guide its potential and disposition to development or progress. This latter is inherent in the tendency of the whole of creation to achieve perfection. Human laws and systems are almost lifeless and do not last. Even though they are based on the accumulated knowledge and experiences of humanity over the course of history, they are unable to cause the seeds of potential in humanity to grow properly or to yield sound fruit. For this reason, humanity desperately needs a Divine Law, which will enable its happiness both spiritually and intellectually and physically, both in this world and the next. This Law must also guide humanity along the way to the attainment of human perfection through the realization of its potentials. It is the Prophets who brings us this living, life-endowing, everlasting Divine Law.
A POSSIBLE OBJECTION: We see that those who do not follow the Divine Religion may enjoy a healthy order.
THE ANSWER: If there is any order in their way, this is due to the affirmed or non-affirmed guidance and the effect of the Divine Religion and religious leaders. There has never been a community left completely devoid of the guidance of a Prophet, so even though many people reject the Divine guidance and Religion, they are not able to remain unaffected by the Religion. Any approvable, lasting order observed in any community has its basic source or roots in Divine guidance. With respect to other aspects that are incompatible with Divine guidance, the order of irreligious people or of those who do not follow the Divine Religion is bound to collapse, even though such an order may appear to have brought some sort of worldly happiness to certain people. In addition, a good order must be one which brings true, lasting happiness to an overwhelming majority of humanity. An order which brings only an apparent, transient, superficial happiness to a small minority in the world, while hurling others into subjection and humiliating misery, cannot be regarded as a good, approvable order.
Thirdly, any extremity in human behavior or moral standards destroys human potential, which, in turn, causes purposelessness and vanity. Purposelessness and vanity are absolutely contrary to the Divine universal wisdom, which is clearly observed to pursue purposes and benefits in everything in the universe, from the smallest to the greatest.
A FALSE SUPPOSITION AND A REMINDER
On the pretext of giving priority to law and its observance, which have been brought to the attention of humanity after so many disasters and by stirring up public opinion continuously, heretical people suppose there is no need for the Divine Law and that it is possible to replace it with human-made laws. This is a totally false supposition. For the world has grown old and there is still nothing to prove such a supposition. On the contrary, although our old world sees the development of some beauty, new vices and evil appear in even worse and more deceptive forms. Just as the rules of wisdom are not independent of the rules of government, so too is the order of human life increasingly in need of the rules of the Divine Law and virtues that dominate human conscience. In addition, new systems of education and human behavior, which are regarded as having no need for Divine Law, are completely unable to train the three basic human faculties—intellect, desire, and anger—properly or to develop them into wisdom, chastity, and moderation or chivalry respectively, nor to sustain them as such. As a result, humanity is in desperate need of Prophethood equipped with the balance of Divine justice, which influences and penetrates human nature and conscience.
AN INDICATION
Thousands of Prophets who appeared among humanity proved their claim to Prophethood with thousands of miracles they worked. These miracles, which form an irrefutable proof and an absolutely true voice, announce and establish the mission and institution of Prophethood. They also function as a proof for the existence and Oneness of the Creator.
A REMINDER
Each science has its own principles and laws upon which it is based and each is founded on the orderliness of existence. But for that orderliness in existence, there would have been no laws or sciences. Secondly, certain pleasures and love are found in the basic purposes and benefits appointed for life, such as eating, drinking, and marriage. (For example, the basic purpose of marriage is reproduction, but the pleasures provided by love for one’s spouse and love for one’s children are the pleasures included in this purpose.) If we can see the Divine favor in this single fact of life, we can easily understand that there is nothing that is useless or extraneous in existence, and we can perceive that Prophethood, upon which the most fundamental purposes of existence or creation are centered, is indispensable for human life and existence. If there were no Prophethood, humanity would have come from a chaotic world and this world would have been thrown into complete chaos.
A REMINDER
O brothers and sisters! If Prophethood, which is the lesser of the two proofs for the existence of the Maker, namely the institution of Prophethood and the Prophethood of Muhammad, has been inscribed on the page of your minds, then we can proceed with the greater one, that is, the Prophethood of Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings.
AN INDICATION AND A REMINDER
This greater proof is absolutely true. For, if you study the lives and works of the Prophets, all of whom have been recorded at the top of the list of the pride of humanity, and consider the meaning and mission of Prophethood, which is the basic common point among them, beyond the influences of the considerations developed over the course of time,55 then you can easily understand the following reality:
The rights of the Creator and the created are the lights of Divine favor and munificence, and form the rays of abstract beauties in existence. All the Prophets, upon them be peace, adopted and strictly observed these as the basic principles in their actions. In addition, their treatment of their people, their people’s view of them, their perfect altruism and selflessness, and many other factors all proved that they were Prophets. The attributes essential to Prophethood (truthfulness, intellect, trustworthiness, communication of the Divine Message, sinlessness, and freedom from physical and mental defects) were found in the most perfect form in Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, who appeared in the Arabian Peninsula at a time when humankind was at the threshold of its maturity, and became the unique source and teacher of all elevated sciences for humanity. This inevitably leads us to the conclusion that Prophet Muhammad was undoubtedly a Prophet. In addition to these proofs, all the proofs, including their miracles, which establish the Prophethood of all the preceding Prophets also prove Muhammad’s Prophethood, upon him be peace and blessings.
Said Nursi
55 When we consider Prophethood and the Prophets from the window of the present versions of the Bible, we see how difficult it is to find a true notion of Prophethood in it, and how the characters of many Prophets are shadowed by groundless calumnies. (Trans.)