The Testimony of the Previous Prophets

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What the Qura’n says about these two methodsIntroduction

The second method of differentiating the false prophets from the real ones is through the news given by the previous prophets except for the first prophet who cannot be introduced in this manner. We have to return to the three methods (Miracles, the Teachings of a Prophet, and the methods) that we have discussed earlier.

This method is not as easy as is supposed in contrast to the three previous ones so we have to take the help of four pre-conditions to arrive at a definite conclusion.

1. The testimony of the previous prophet who predicts the coming of the next ones and their attributes with solid proof that cannot be denied. His predictions and testimony will be duly accepted when his prophet is proven to be the truth.

2. The news given by the previous prophet should be absolute and no weak and doubtable assertions cannot be taken into account no mater from where they originate. Even the news from reliable books cannot be included until they are proven without doubt.

 His testimony should be without doubt because even a minor error or an innovation will create a void in the claim of prophethood because the news given by the previous prophet will prove the truth of the coming one and it removes the veil from secrecy .This should be done without conditions so that the cheats and charlatans who create mischief are duly exposed.

Many people who create schism and innovations have made very strange allegations about the divine book and have spread frivolity with ease.

Just see how they think? Prophethood is a designation for the guidance of mankind and is nothing vague like the how the ancient scholars used to count (Two plus two is four) without considering that this could be out of place.

 It is important that this is discerned fully after comparison of the new apostle with what has been described by the previous one. We cannot add or subtract anything because then it would mean misleading ourselves doing this would mean representing Satan and not God. The recognition of the new apostle will be clear and safe when all these four points confirm him but if any one them is missing then the result will be something else.

We get to hints in these methods and we end the discussion on the generality of prophethood with this short explanation but do hope that we will discuss it when we deal with the specifics of prophethood.

1. We read that the Messiah had spoken about he last Messenger in verse 6 of Surah As-Saff as follows:

“Remember when Jesus son of Mary said, “O children of Israel! I am the messenger of God to you who confirms the Torah that came before me. I give glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me named Ahmad” But when he came to them with clear signs they said, “This is sheer sorcery.”

This prophesy (or these prophesies) is not hidden in the Evangel and we will deal with the fact that he name given was “Ahmad” which was one of the Messenger’s name.

(This was the name of the claimant of prophet in the future.)

 The predictions (of the Torah and the Evangel) about the advent of the Last Messenger are supplemented by various verses from the Qura’n. They clarify that he was as known as the son is known through his father.

History has noted the migration of the Jews from Syria and Palestine to Medina and this was because of the predictions about him that hey had read in their divine books. This issue has been dealt with in details in Tafsir Amthal verse 89 of Surah Baqarah. (1) There were many others who had spoken about it but they too returned to their old ways and refused to believe in him when he declared himself. This was due to their personal greed and the Qura’n has condemned it.

There are many verses that contain this meaning. In verse 146 of Surah Baqarah God says:

“Those to whom We gave the s c r i p tures recognized him as they recognized their own sons but some among them conceal the truth though they know it.”

The meaning is conveyed in verse 20 of Surah Anam that says:

“Those to whom We have given the s c r i p tures recognize him as they recognize their own sons but those who destroy themselves will not believe.”

The same meaning is more clearly stated in verse 157 of Surah A’raf that says:

“ Those who follow the Messenger, the prophet who can neither read nor write ; whom they find mentioned in the Torah and Evangel; he enjoins them to whatever is good and forbids them from everything evil; he makes lawful for them all good things and forbid them all that are bad and he removed from their burden and yokes, so those who believe him, honor

 and support him and follow the light sent down with him for they are the ones who are successful.”

There is another question raised about the explanation of the verses that are testified by the Qura’n and previous divine books which says “Tasdeeq” or testimony means Qura’n and the attributes of the prophet should be compared with the signs given in these books.(2)

This is the way the Islamic hadith have mentioned the previous and present prophets while in Nahjul Balagha we read:

(Nahjul Balagha says)

“The first were named and testified by those who came later and those who came later were predicted about those who preceded them.”

This is a clearer explanation of the subject being discussed.

The same is also explained in the Hadith from Imam Baqir in which he said: “Adam predicted about Noah”

In another instance he said, “Noah predicted the coming of Huod to Shaam.”

In yet another instance he is reported to have said: “Moses gave the glad tidings of the coming of Prophet Mohammad when he was given the Torah. There is no apostle who has not predicted the coming of the Last Messenger and Jesus did so when he came to preach to his people. (3)

 


 

1. Tafsir Amthal should be seen for the discussion on this verse
2. For further information see the explanation of verse 49 of Surah Baqarah in Tafsir Amthal.
3 Sharrah Nahjul Balagha by Aqai Khoie pages 138 to 141.

 

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