THE
PURPOSE BEHIND THE SENDING
OF DIVINE MESSENGERS
The
fundamental reason for sending
prophets is explained in Ayat
No.25 of Surah Al-Hadeed (The
Iron), in the Holy Quran.
Allah (SWT) in
this ayah says:
We sent Our messengers with clear proofs,
and revealed with
them the Scripture and
the Balance ....
For what purpose was all of this done?
Why were messengers sent?
For what purpose were the books and the balance revealed?
This is stated clearly and categorically in this Ayah: .... in order that mankind practice Justice and Righteousness. In other words the necessity and purpose of sending Prophets with clear signs and revealing along with them the Book and the Balance, i.e. the Shariah, is being explained here: So that mankind establish Justice. Injustice, oppression and despotism, and exploitation of all types are given a death blow.
But which system of justice will it be? One system of justice is that which man comes up with using his own intellect and tries his level best to bring into existence a real system of social justice. Hence we find one such concept of a system of social justice among the communists. Another such concept is that found in the Western nations. Both attempt to arrive at a so-called true system of social justice but all ideologies conceived by humans are flawed in one aspect or the other. The only true system of social justice is the one given by Allah (SWT) through His messengers (AS) to mankind which we refer to as Deen and Shari'ah.
This Shari'ah was perfected in the final prophet, Muhammad (SAW) the messenger of Allah (SWT). A system in which the rights and duties of every individual have been defined in correct measure. What one will be entitled to and what one is liable for has been decreed. That has determined the rights and responsibilities of every class in society, in a very balanced and natural way and has addressed all departments of life encompassing social, political, business and all aspects of collective life. It is the establishment of this system of social justice which has been the fundamental reason for Prophets being sent by Allah (SWT). This is what is explained in Ayat No.25 of Surah Al-Hadeed.
For what purpose was all of this done?
Why were messengers sent?
For what purpose were the books and the balance revealed?
This is stated clearly and categorically in this Ayah: .... in order that mankind practice Justice and Righteousness. In other words the necessity and purpose of sending Prophets with clear signs and revealing along with them the Book and the Balance, i.e. the Shariah, is being explained here: So that mankind establish Justice. Injustice, oppression and despotism, and exploitation of all types are given a death blow.
But which system of justice will it be? One system of justice is that which man comes up with using his own intellect and tries his level best to bring into existence a real system of social justice. Hence we find one such concept of a system of social justice among the communists. Another such concept is that found in the Western nations. Both attempt to arrive at a so-called true system of social justice but all ideologies conceived by humans are flawed in one aspect or the other. The only true system of social justice is the one given by Allah (SWT) through His messengers (AS) to mankind which we refer to as Deen and Shari'ah.
This Shari'ah was perfected in the final prophet, Muhammad (SAW) the messenger of Allah (SWT). A system in which the rights and duties of every individual have been defined in correct measure. What one will be entitled to and what one is liable for has been decreed. That has determined the rights and responsibilities of every class in society, in a very balanced and natural way and has addressed all departments of life encompassing social, political, business and all aspects of collective life. It is the establishment of this system of social justice which has been the fundamental reason for Prophets being sent by Allah (SWT). This is what is explained in Ayat No.25 of Surah Al-Hadeed.
Now just
think who will
become an obstacle
to the establishment of such a
system of social justice? Obviously the oppressed would want the injustice to
be quashed. The weak who have been oppressed,
whose rights have been usurped,
will definitely want
an end to
the system of injustice and the establishment of a just
system. But would the unjust oppressors like to see an end to this exploitative
and unjust system? Would those who have wrongfully put the fetters of their
rule around the necks of the masses and who
have set up
an unfair and
iniquitous system of distributing wealth
due to which they have managed to hoard
huge amount of wealth
whereas the others
can't afford two square meals, would
want a change in their vested interests? Would they like to see the establishment of a system
based on justice and equality? --- To
see the Divine Law and
Justice put in
operation? Their vast majority would spurn a change so
fundamental in nature.
But even in these privileged classes there are people of sound character whose dormant conscience is activated and they realise that the current system is in reality unjust and therefore spineless. Hence it is a historical fact that as a result of the invitation to faith by prophet Musa (AS), some of the Pharaoh's people had become believers. There is mention of a believer from among Pharaoh's people. The Quranic Surah Al-Mu'min or Al-Ghafir (The Forgiving One) contains his entire speech word by word made in Pharaoh's court, which starts with these words:
'A believer, a man from among the people of Pharaoh, who had concealed his faith, said ... ' (40:28)
But even in these privileged classes there are people of sound character whose dormant conscience is activated and they realise that the current system is in reality unjust and therefore spineless. Hence it is a historical fact that as a result of the invitation to faith by prophet Musa (AS), some of the Pharaoh's people had become believers. There is mention of a believer from among Pharaoh's people. The Quranic Surah Al-Mu'min or Al-Ghafir (The Forgiving One) contains his entire speech word by word made in Pharaoh's court, which starts with these words:
'A believer, a man from among the people of Pharaoh, who had concealed his faith, said ... ' (40:28)
This gentleman who was among the influential nobles of the Pharaoh and held a high status in the Pharaoh's court had become a believer of the One Creator and the message sent by Him through Musa (AS). He· became a believer because his conscience was active and alive. From this we get to know that even within the unjust and exploitative classes there are certain people having an upright character. When called to the Truth (i.e. Allah's way) they recognize it and accept it as such. But their number is so small that they can be counted on fingers and the vast majority of people remain of those who want to maintain the status quo, so that their vested interests and privileges are not threatened.
In a feudal society the feudal landlord would never want the feudal system to come to an end. In a capitalist system the capitalist would never like the system to change. The Brahmin in a Hindu caste-oriented society would never want the caste differences to cease to exist. Would the Brahmin, with a high status he enjoys as a birth-right, ever like the Sudra to be made his equal? Therefore the vast majority within the privileged class join hands to defend and protect the exploitative system which they represent and have vested interests in. This is precisely the reason why Allah states in the next part of the Ayah of Surah Al-Hadeed that 'we sent down Iron in which is (material for) mighty war'. For such people Allah has sent iron as a punishment and to teach them a lesson. Iron can be used in warfare to manufacture arms and ammunition. It also contains countless other benefits for people. But in the context of this Ayat the real purpose behind sending iron is to use it, as much as is necessary, to inflict punishment on people who oppose the mission of those who support the Prophets of Allah in establishing Divine Justice and a Just Social Order with all their might.
Therefore such effort and striving is referred to by Allah as the 'Test of Faith' and 'Victory of Allah and His messengers' in the next part of this Ayah: that Allah may test who it is that will help unseen Him and His messengers, for Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might. Which means that Allah wants to make known His loyal servants, who join Allah and His prophets in establishing His chosen faith (Islam), even when not seen.
Most surely
Allah is Strong, Able
to do all things, Mighty and Supreme.
In other words the
teaching and the instruction to
utilize the strength
of iron to
strive in Allah's Cause,
and to establish justice
as per Divine Law, is not demanded
because, (Allah may
excuse me for saying this) Allah is in need
of your help, but its purpose is to put your loyalty
and faith to test.
This Ayah of Surah Al-Hadeed is a very revolutionary Ayah and it states the reason behind sending prophets (Peace be upon them all) the need for giving them the Book and to establish justice and the purpose of the provision of iron.
This Ayah of Surah Al-Hadeed is a very revolutionary Ayah and it states the reason behind sending prophets (Peace be upon them all) the need for giving them the Book and to establish justice and the purpose of the provision of iron.
To Be Continued....
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