Arguments for Messengership – Part 18

The Reasonings (page 126)

Thirdly, any extremity human behavior or moral standards destroy 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 smaller to the greatest.

How can I overly exercise my potentiality?

• The purpose of the seed is to grow into capacity. If you put too much water, the seed does not grow.  If you put too little water, the seed does not grow.  There has got to be a balance where one should not go overboard or under.  Otherwise, we are contradicting our reality and going against our potentialities.

Why do I need Prophets?

• I need to know what I am growing.
• The One who created the potentiality must be the guide. Human expectations are not limited and go beyond time-space.

In order to defend myself, I should not destroy others.  My interest should not go into other people’s right.  We may only guess.  I must know where to put the limit because everything is limitless.  My decisions depend on limitless experiences in this world.  From my perspective, I should respect the guidance (the One’s that creates this universe, the Source of my existence).

• The Source of Existence of guidance must be regarded as a Source which must be respected and who knows the limits of my endless potentialities.

Only the One who creates you knows your potentialities and their limits.  If potentialities were limited within our experiences, we would not need guidance.

Some people may have knowledge.  They have acquired it.  However, is there anyone who can create the formula of how to create anything of the world?  Only the One who creates the universe can do it.

Universe needs guidance.  That is, you and I need guidance.  Here are two Elements to think about:

1. If I do not act according to the Divine guidance, then the Source of Existence has the right to give me limits to what is unlimited (potentially).
2. The Source of guidance must have a status in the eyes of human beings that this guide must be respected.

Human made laws cannot provide the type of guidance that human potentiality needs i.e. Eternal Satisfaction.  People like you and I make the laws and we may have caprices.  People do not respect human made law, seeing that they are the will of those who are like us, fallible people.

Again, as stated earlier, “knowledge” is different from one’s potential ability.  Knowledge is acquired.  I listen to you as far as your field of knowledge is concerned.

• No one can learn how human potentiality should be administered at a universal level.

Divine entity must have respect in my eyes because of its being limitless.  When I respect Divine Entity, I have the intention of obeying the law of my Maker.  As soon as I learn the truth, I switch to it.

• “Muslim” in Quranic text means submitting to the truth only.
• First, I am a believer in the Truth of the Creator of the universe and then I decide to follow what I believe in.

Meccan period of the Prophetic life was about establishing belief education, while the Medinan period was about the practice of the belief at a personal and societal level.)

We need to watch out for our attitudes.  Look into “hypocrisy”, I may not realize it, but I may be developing its seed.  Example: As a United States citizen, one may not follow or accept all rules but still take the verbal oath of being a citizen.

No one can judge a person’s heart, even if God revealed something to the Prophet only for a purpose, that is a matter between the person and God.  As long as someone gives a testimony to his belief in Islam (Shahadah, it is an Arabic word means witnessing the Truth), that is enough to be considered as a “Muslim”.

• Human made laws look at my own actions. I do not have to believe in values of human made laws, but I must obey them.
• Divine guidance looks at my potentiality and makes me realize my potentiality and guides it to improve so that the people may become more aware of their human values.

My Position is important.  In Islamic laws, which are related to jurisprudence matters (fiqh), I am an agent, interpreting events from historical context and then conclude or derive universal principles according to my conditions.  Whereas from the Quran, I derive universal principles.

Human nature works this way where we get value for ourselves externally i.e. through external factors.  I have this knowledge, so I am superior.  Does it mean anything?  No, my relationship with my Creator means everything.