Why No More Prophets
Letters to the Editor
The Light – 1 Nov.1958
[This column is a forum open to all shades of opinion on topics of interest to the cause of religion or country and ventilating the writers’ views, not necessarily those of this paper— M.Y.K. Edit]
Sir,
Despite my deep ruminations and investigations, I have not been able to find satisfactory answers to the following questions which have taxed my inquisitiveness since long. Kindly convince me if you can.
1.What was the mission of prophets sent by God in this world? Was it not to edify humanity, to deliver them from sins and to give them, the message of the unity of God and His supreme powers? If it was —as it is understood—has it been fulfilled? If it has not—as it is visible—why God, stopped to send more prophets for the guidance of man?
2.Religion is made of two components —Morality plus a complicated system of beliefs and ceremonies. What will happen to this second component if science succeeds in making human life immortal? Would then religion not stop to exist?
3.Does an illegitimate child share the sins of his parents?
Murree.
(M. Salim Shawalvi)
Answer:
- The Prophets mission no doubt was to edify man rather to show him how to edify himself. For edification is always self-edification. It can never be imposed from outside. God Himself does not interfere in this process: because then, it would cease to be edification. In case of the last Prophet of Islam, the experiment led to phenomenal success. As to why God stopped sending more prophets, the reason is the Prophet Muhammad’s (may God’s peace be on him) message is still there. The Quran still is a living Divine fountain of light and life. Like the sun in heaven which illumines this dark earth, the Quran shines on the firmament of the spiritual realm, shedding light and life-giving rays for all those who would care to avail of them. That is why no more prophets are needed.
- There is no complicated system of belief and ceremonies in Islam. The only belief in Islam is the existence of God – nothing more. Prophets came to drive home that faith. As to ceremonies, they are no part of religion. They are a matter of more self-discipline, and no more. One of the teachings of religion is that every man shall die. So the question of man becoming immortal does not arise.
- All children, according to Islamic teachings, are born sinless. There is no such thing as inherited sin in Islam. According to a saying of the Prophetﷺ all children that are born are born Muslims, it is the parents who subsequently make them Jews or Christians, etc.
