Arguments for Messengership – Part 15

The Reasonings (page 125)

“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 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.”

Everyone is in need of Divine guidance.  Without sense of worship, rulings by themselves do not have a real effect on our lives at an individual level/social law.

Prophet means representor of Divine guidance.  That is, the One who creates limitless human potentialities must appoint a person to convey guidance to human beings to teach them how to process these potentialities in the most appropriate way.

Human life has two aspects:

1. We human beings lack sufficient knowledge and accurate viewpoints to know who I am and what I need to satisfy my existential human questions.
2. We human beings are given uncontrolled whims and fancies and the possibility to err under the influence of our carnal desires which is an option for human beings.

How can I guarantee that I am not following my carnal desires?

Human beings have this tendency that s/he is really doing the right thing.  That is, I am right, and the rest is not very right.  They make their own judgments saying that these people are going into extremes while others have weak personalities.

• When we say: “that I am on the right way, although sometimes I fail to fulfill them”, it does not mean that I am following a perfect life; rather it is my understanding, my attitude, my choice and my preference of the world which is fine.
• Also, I may say that: “my understanding is right”, which is a kind of self-satisfaction.
• Hence, human beings are created with this need of getting self-satisfaction.
• “If we are not self-satisfied, then we cannot claim that we are perfect people. However, the way I take is the best possible way.  Therefore, I do not need other people’s advice to me because I know”.  No one can claim that they can know everything.

Knowledge/information is different but “the way I take in life seems to be the best way”.  Even when we do something wrong, we justify it.  Example: because of this, I did that.  Because of this, I had to do that.  Lack of knowledge is different and failure in putting ideally what I must do into practice is also different.  “But I know the best and what I have in my mind of my life and existence is the best.  My path is the best, but I may not apply it properly.”  Example: someone says that I belong to the Muslim community and I should pray five times a day but for the moment I am not.  Whatever this person is doing, the way of life or path that s/he is following, this person feels that this is the right path.  “I know what to do and what is right, but I fail in practicing it and having enough knowledge about it.  But my path is right.  I feel confident and satisfied about my path.”

Even when people say that they are ignorant; still they have some sort of self-satisfaction.  Very rarely they will say that I must take other people’s account and advices.

Comment: The right path, there is right in the relative sense i.e. what might seem right to me.

Ture, but the attitude that I am describing above, I say that my path is better than someone else.

Comment:  It is not about comparing what is better or not.  First, it’s about understanding right/wrong.  That is, is it something that I believe is right, relative, from my perception of being right?  In its entirety, one is always open to the idea that whatever they might think is right is not always right for someone else.

Every individual is somehow satisfied with his/her way or path of life.

Comment: Satisfaction is another variable, relative and non-relative.  What makes something right based of belief or what we are able to justify.  Separating satisfaction from contentment that I did the best I could but that might still not give me satisfaction because I still realized that it would have been better if I would have done something else.

Failure in fulfillment everyone accepts this.  “When I look at myself, I know that I should lead this kind of life.  But am I really fulfilling the requirements of this path?  My way is right, and I am not fulfilling it.  I feel that I am right.”  If a person never follows religion and is always drunk and not taking care of his responsibility, listen to him/her as s/he justifies the way s/he lives.  Although, I am not perfect, but my way is better.  Example: Look at the people who claim to follow religion and be honest, how tricky is the life they follow?  “At least I harm myself by being drunk, I do not harm other people”.

• Justifications upon justifications for failures which almost makes you see that you are on the right path.

We are created with this need that we must have some sort of satisfaction in our lives that we should carry on.  Not many people think that they are totally lost, some people (exceptions) may think temporarily that: “I am not sure what I am doing is right/wrong…and so I need guidance”.  This may cause lack of self-esteem.

• If someone loses self-esteem, then the alternative is to commit suicide and die.

Comment:  Human beings need some sense of satisfaction with doing what they are doing every moment.  A person who is drinking all the time, they feel for sure this is not the right way for them.  However, in that moment, to satisfy the need, they say that I know I should not drink but my path is right.

This person will complain about his/her relative, how tricky they are.  This person will complain about religious people: “How hypocrite they are.”  When in desperate situation, this person will complain how tricky the rich people are and say: “At least, I do not exploit other people.  Rich people are working on the labor of other people, at least I am not.  I know that I should not drink”, but somehow s/he has satisfaction with this path of life.

Comment: They are not satisfied with this path of life, but they have this constructed delusion as in I will create this world which is right for me at this point.

Comment: The justification part makes it that this way is right.  Although, I fail to practice fully but I am still right.  Within yourself, you are still justifying it as in a coping mechanism.  It is a kind of self- satisfaction.

It is a slippery way of thinking.  No one says that my path of life is not correct.  Although, I may have some problems but still somehow, I am better than other people.

Comment: How are we defining path of life?

• The reason why we chose the way we live.

Comment: As in your profession?  Your belief system?

• How do you justify your being?

What you are doing here in this world?

Comment: How do you spend your time?  How do you spend your day?

These are practices and one may fail.  Example: I know that I should read this but today I wasted my time.  I accuse myself there but still my way of life is better than other people.  Example: An atheist person will say that my way of life is better than others.  Another will say that I do not need to speak to other people who are not really following Divine guidance.

Speak to your mother or father and they will say: “What I am doing is right, but I failed.  I am not scared of resurrection, but I am scared of my not being prepared for resurrection.  As if they are fully satisfied about resurrection.  Example: A person does not know anything else apart from religious rules that s/he needs to follow, for him/her it is necessary to advise: “why don’t you reconsider who you are”.  He says: “I know, I believe in God”.  or: “I must think about it, study and investigate”, but “those people imitate rules only”.

• Everyone has some sort of reason to live in this world which is based on satisfaction in their part of life or way of living in this world although tainted with failures. Example: I am going this way, but I should have a car to reach this destination quicker but the way I am following is correct.  Speak to your father or relatives.  Who says that I do not know if I am right or wrong?

Comment: Can you have 100% conviction that the idea of the correct path in your mind although you fail to put it into practice is the best path?  If I have certainty of an idea of a right path, then I have to be able to experience the path fully.

Watch out for this rhetoric: “Be a good Muslim,” or “Be a good Christian!”   It means that your being a Muslim/Christian is correct, but you must improve it.  That means your path of life is right.  You are on this path, but they are some people on this path better than what you are doing. That is why they give ideal examples among the people who follow this path.  Trick is to be an honest good Muslim or Christian.

• Is being a Muslim correct? That is unquestionable.
• Example: Be an honest citizen. What does being a citizen mean?  Sometimes what I do is that I fight with the law.  Being a citizen is unquestionable.
• Example: Follow your human feelings, which is the best way as per the humanitarians.
• Rather, you should not contradict your human qualities.

Am I really accomplishing the requirements of being a good human being?  No, I fail but this is the right way.  Example: A mother says I cook and take care of my family and clean the house. Sometimes, I do not cook well or fail in fulfilling my responsibility.  Traditional people say: “I have to bring bread home, I am doing my job, but I should do something else as well.  I fail but the stream of my life is correct but not perfect”.  Those people who never work or are workaholic, speak to them and they will say that what they are doing is the right way.   “Although, if I think about it theoretically, I am sure that I may not have an accurate viewpoint.”.

• We must admit that we lack accurate viewpoint.

The best examples are the companions of the Prophets.  Not every companion was like this but only a few.  It is narrated that they were not sure that they are hypocrite or not.  What does it mean?

It means that admitting that I cannot be accurate in my viewpoint.  Although, I may say that I am Muslim, and I am following the right path by practicing the requirements, but I do not question this path.  Failure is different.  Example: I must follow the requirements of religion but sometimes I may fail.  Very few people doubt about their path.

• Dangerous language is: “Be a good Muslim”.

Everyone feels some sort of lacking in the requirements that they follow.  No one says that I am a perfect Muslim.  “My being a Muslim is correct, but I am not really a good Muslim, but I should be”.  Public speakers do not challenge one’s being a Muslim.  How do you know that you being a Muslim is right or you are not a hypocrite?

Everyone says that I am lacking on my path, but my path is correct.  Public speakers use this weak point of human beings (not fulfilling the requirements as they should) and people think that this speaker is right.  This speaker may not always be righ, s/he does not challenge you with your real identity i.e. how can you be sure about your path, what is the evidence?  They should help people understand first why they are Muslims. But it is usually taken for granted that we are Muslims, though following the religion of Islam or Christianity might be only because of their family tradition. Also, in certain culture, identifying yourself with a certain culture is another issue.  Example: we are Hanafi and Imam Abu Hanifa was the best.  Shiites are misguided as per the Sunnis.  The other ones say that most of the people are hypocrites.  Why is that so?  There is some sort of satisfaction with the way of life that people follow and so they can continue their lives.  It is an innate need to follow the right path, but it does not mean that if you feel satisfied that you are guaranteed your way, then that is the right path.  Rather we must always be open to questioning what we follow.

Does the above mean that we are to live in a dubious life always?  As far as right now, this path seems to be correct, but I must be open to other alternatives.  Our language should not be that I must become a good Muslim. The question should start with:, “Why are you a Muslim?”  People do not question.  Is everyone satisfied with their own life?  No.  It does not mean that I am not performing well and that is why I am not satisfied.  Example: As far as I know, I am studying biology, and this is good for me.  But am I getting A+? No.  Studying Biology is for me and I am doing well.  Failure is acknowledged, as far as practicing the requirements of that path but this does not solve the problem.  People say that I never claim to be perfect, but I am not a good practicing one.  Imperfection is inevitable.  “I try to, but I cannot”, that is not the problem!

• From one aspect, people seem to be innately satisfied with the path they follow and from another aspect, people are not claiming perfection. What is the solution?  Go to the root.  Is biology/the path that I am following true?  Let me examine it and investigate it.  Openness must be there.

CHECK YOURSELF!

Comment: We must be open and constantly investigating and questioning.  Not that am I doing well, but am I on the correct path?  I have the need to be certain and fully satisfied in the path that I am on and not leave any room for doubt?

How can you not leave any room for doubt?

Comment: I do not know if that is possible, but I seek perfect certainty in it.  Am I subject to always reconsidering it and always be open?

If I am satisfied with my path for now, then that does not mean that I am on the right path.  What I am doing is right for now as I have no better alternatives, but I must be open to questioning.  No one can guarantee that s/he is doing the best and following the best. That is human insufficiency, which is portrayed in the idealized narration of certain companions of the Prophets: “I cannot guarantee that I am not a hypocrite.”

• These people are aware of what they are doing and what the reality of life is.

Another attitude to watch out for: “I fail to practice religion and I have some psychological problems because of my family background/childhood experiences and now I am under the influence of it and I cannot get out of it.  Apart from these external factors, I am on the right path”.

Creator creates everything perfectly and we are not talking about potentiality, rather practical life.  In the practical life, we should admit that I cannot guarantee the truth (no one can guarantee the Absolute truth) but Absolute truth must exist. 

• No one can guarantee that a person is representing the Absolute truth.

Some people may say that the Prophets represent the Absolute truth.  Prophets say that I am sure that this message came to me from God, but it does not mean that I am perfect.  Example: when the community was not very wide, and the Prophet was taking care of Medina administration, people used to come to the Prophet personally for establishing justice.  That is why we need arrangements to put our social life in order.  They used to come to the Prophet and defend themselves.  Example: Two groups accusing each other.  Prophet says that I say that you are right but do not forget you are right because I judge according to the way that you present your side.  Prophet is not sure who is right among two disputing people.

• Presentation is not reality. In this case, the Prophet also does not claim reality as far as his worldly relationship (in his practical life and all his actions) is concerned but his being a Prophet and employed by God, he is confident in it.  “I am employed by God, you ask me something and I do not know from myself, and I am sure that God told me this” and communication happens between him and God through angels.

Prophet is guidance to everyone.  Example: If you judge about two people disputing you should know that when you are not judging according to the reality, and you are judging according to the presentation of the case even if you use the Divine Law.  That is Sunnah.

Comment: Within that moment, something can be true, and you are judging the truth within the moment according to your capacity.

In reality, you cannot be sure. You judged on  what has been presented, but you do not know.  What you judged as far as your responsibility is concerned you have done the best, but it is not Absolute. That is why we always lack knowledge and ability to know all aspects of human beings and lack ability to lead life in a proper way that will enable happiness in both individual and collective life.

• What are we expected to do in this case? We need guidance from someone who is Absolute in knowledge and knows aspects of human beings. We need Divine guidance that is how we are created and that come through the Prophets. 

We must make distinction between two things:  Potentially being perfect is one thing and utilizing this potentiality and putting this into practice is another thing.  “I need guidance from a One who created me with my perfect potentialities so that He will guide me according to my perfect potentialities.”  That is why I need the guidance from my Creator.

If someone says that I am the result of accidents or nature, then your guidance will be nature and you cannot say that I guide myself because you are the result of nature.  It’s not a valid reasoning.  Those people who believe that they are the result of natural processes, then they should expect guidance from nature.  It is contradictory because nature, the things themselves cannot guide because nature does not speak, know, recognize you, nature is blind and purposeless, it has no will.  Although, everything is happening in order and with purpose both of which need consciousness and consciousness needs the accompanying of freewill.

• If you are conscious of something which is wrong, then you know that you should not do that because you are conscious of what is wrong.

Nature has no freewill and they follow the laws or principles of this universe and they can never go out of this principle it means they have no consciousness.  If they have no consciousness, then it means they have no purpose or freewill.  Atheist or scientist claim that the evolution of things is going to perfection and yet, it is not a purposeful action. Why do they say that there is no purpose in the evolution process?

• Because, they deny consciousness which cannot be defined in terms of matter.

Psychological manipulation which makes us cheat ourselves: “I am on the right path, but I am not fulfilling the requirement.  I am not successful in the right path, that is what I am”.

• Dangerous attitude as it blocks the demand for guidance.
• Example: As Muslims, we say in our daily prayers, “guide us to the straight path.” We mostly mean: “Please guide me to the straight path, Islam is the best path, but I am not sure if I am perfectly practicing it”.
• Instead, no one says: “please guide me in the understanding of reality”.

Comment: The process of questioning must be evolved.  The process of that questioning needs to be questioned.

Leave aside your insufficiency.  Be open is the point.  We cannot be sure of Absolute truth, but we need Absolute truth.  That is why we need guidance from the Absolute Creator who has created us with the need of Absolute Truth and that is why Divine guidance must interfere into our lives.

Comment: The right path is the path of questioning rather than continuing practicing.

We must be concerned with the implementation of what is right or wrong.  At the same time, I must always be open to question the fundamentals to our way of life and understanding: “Unless otherwise proven to me, my path is right, and I will follow it.  If someone says your path is wrong, then I should ask him/her to explain the reason, please”.  That must be the attitude!

If the presentation of the alternative idea makes more sense to you, then you must decide accordingly. That is why some people do not know why they are Muslims and then try to establish their own Muslim communities.  Within their communities, they establish a certain vocabulary and compete to do the best in their lives.  You are doing better than what I am doing, or you are not doing well IS NOT THE POINT!

“Everyone is happy with his/her own way.” (23:53 and 30: 32.) It means be careful you think that you are on the right path, but you may not be.  People in Mecca opposed Muhammad and his message because they thought it is wrong what Muhammad is saying as it is disturbing and causing controversy in the society and disintegrating tribal affiliations: “What will happen to us if we do not follow our tribe, where is my safety then?”  They say Muhamad is trouble maker.

• They were sincere in the way they followed their path, but they were not sincere to question whether this path is right/wrong.

They decided their inherited path is right, and so they must defend it, and not let anyone destroy this well-established society.  The tribal connection is the only life they had to preserve.  They asked Muhammad to make a treaty with them without compromising their tribalism.

• They said “what do you want,” but never said “what do you say and explain to us please”.

Example: Moses and Pharaoh are universal examples.  Moses said, “I trust in the Lord of the universe, He is the Owner of everything”.  Pharaoh said (in the example of the Quran) that “you are a magician”.  He did not say “what do you mean by Lord of universe?”   The presentations of the Prophets are not met by their opponents to be coming up with a counter-argument about an explanation of what is being said.  This method in the Quran is drawing our attention that we must question everything and expect explanations to it i.e. answers.  Example: How do you explain my existence?

Materialists say that matter is eternal since they cannot explain existence.  Can you prove that matter is eternal?  It is continuously appearing and disappearing. How can you say that it is eternal, it cannot sustain its existence for even a moment?  They still say that is how nature is, they do not define what nature is, it is a language trick.  Foundations are most important!

We cannot have sufficient equipment to establish a satisfactory way of life including all aspects and dimensions of our existence by ourselves.  Am I going to be without any Absolute truth?  There is no Absolute truth in the universe, but I need Absolute truth.  I have alternatives in front of my freewill, this is right/wrong, justice/injustice, truth/false. When I am making decision about the path, which path is correct, can I make sure that I have never chosen false ideas?  Example: in my life 20 years ago, I thought this was the right path, now I realize it was not.

Comment: Within every encounter based on information that you have in that moment, you make decision accordingly, you cannot make for 20 years from now.

You cannot make decisions based on Absolute truth as far as your capacity is concerned.

Comment: In retrospect, you can look at your decision and have a different opinion about it.  But in that moment, if you are a good student and does the research making sure there is no error as much as the capacity allows, the rest is what can you do in that situation.

“Unless otherwise proven to me, my path is right, and I will follow it”.  Failures are different.  Example: Christians say that we must follow Jesus, listen to him and accept him as the Lord, does that make any sense?  As far as my capacity is concerned, can I accept it i.e. without being prejudiced about defending the previous path of your life?

Does this make sense to me?  Approach any idea without being a Muslim.  Is there any true in it which makes sense to me?  Be careful about the language they use or skip.  You benefit from some of them, that is the way we can improve our lives.

Speaking in Absolute terms is not the business of human beings, speaking in Absolute terms belongs to the Absolute One.

• We are not Absolute ones, we need to be open minded!

Short Reflection:

Am I on the right path?  One should regularly be evaluating the path they are on or how they view life as, what is their perception of themselves and life?  Does that perception feel right?  Is there a need that some guidance is needed?  If we think that we are right and do not feel the need for guidance, then we do not seek the guidance.  That is, with this attitude, we do not seek the need for Divine guidance through the Prophets. 

Also, since everything seems satisfactory, I am not questioning anything.  I am following Atheism, Judaism or Islam, just to name a few religions without questioning it. 

• If I am already satisfied with the path that I am on, following whatever I am satisfied with, would I be needing guidance in that case? In other words, if I already feel that I am on the right path, is there any motivation to seek guidance? With this attitude, I am already satisfied that I am doing the right thing. 
• Ask: Is there more guidance that I need? An improved guidance?  One that really satisfies my human expectations.  My human expectations (seeking Eternity) is my reality, this is what I am facing, how do I set my life around this?

Tags: Arguments for Messengership Series, Carnal Desires, Eternal Existence, Eternal Perfection, Eternal Satisfaction, Eternity, Human Feelings, Messengership, Potentialities, Worship