Why Are Prophets Needed for Man’s Guidance?
In materialistic world views that consider no path or purpose for the world of creation, and say that mankind has come to this world with no previous plan or purpose and moves toward annihilation, there is no such issue as prophethood. Today’s world, which is one of science and technology, is witnessing various crimes and deviations by individuals and nations who are not following the path of prophets. Such a situation clearly shows man’s need for a leader who is infallible.
One can point out at least four reasons why mankind needs prophets:
1- Purposefulness of World
In the divine worldview, the world of creation is purposeful and mankind is part of the world for whom the world has been created (Verse 29 Surah Al-Baqarah and Verse 33 of Surah An-Nazi’at). The world has been put at his service (Verse 13 of Surah Al-Jathiyah), so he cannot have been left free of responsibilities. In fact, it is not acceptable to say that the entire universe is purposeful but mankind, for whom the world has been created, is not.
Imagine a school that has built and equipped with all the necessary facilities and students have attended classes but there is no teacher to teach them. Or imagine a surgery room in a hospital that is fully equipped and ready for operation with the patient also ready but there is no surgeon. This would be pointless and meaningless.
2- Movement of World of Existence
All beings move on their path of perfection and reach it without having any doubts about it. So mankind should also have a path to perfection in which there are no doubts or fluctuations. The only difference is that mankind has the ability to choose whether to take that path or not.
3- God’s favor
It is upon God to guide people and show them the path to happiness. Sending divine books and prophets is a favor by God that blesses people. God says in verse 12 of Surah Al-Lail: “Surely, in Our hands is guidance.” How can God, Who knows there are various paths of deviation on man’s way and there are evils, desires and instincts leading him to the wrong path, leave mankind without a guide?
In the Quran, God says one of the reasons for sending prophets is guiding people and Itmam al-Hujjah (completion of proof), so that people could not say: “Our Lord, why did You not send us a Messenger so that we could have followed Your verses before we were humiliated and degraded.” (Verse 134 of Surah Taha).
God says in Verse 165 of Surah An-Nisa “Messengers bearing glad tidings and warning, so that the people will have no argument against Allah, after the Messengers. Allah is the Almighty, the Wise.”
4- Man’s Ignorance
Undoubtedly, man’s awareness and knowledge about himself and the world are little and what he does not know is huge. He needs a teacher and a guide to reduce the unknown and increase his knowledge.
One might say that human beings will gradually learn things and need no guide, but it should be noted that what man learns by himself is little and not enough.
God says in Verse 151 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “As We have sent among you a Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) from yourselves, to recite to you Our verses and to purify you, who will teach you the Book and Wisdom, and teach you that of which you have no knowledge.”
How can man learn about the Barzakh and the Resurrection Day? Is there any other way for knowing about them without guidance from the prophets of God?
