ويژگيهاي انبيا و شاخص هاي برتري آنان بر ساير رهبران فكري و پيشگامان اصلاح و تحول

Prophets versus Reformists and Pioneers of Social Change: A Comparative Study

Revelation is the most distinguishing characteristic of prophets by which they have been honoured. It is the source ol thair faith, knowledge and preaching that separate them from other groups. That is why they cannot he compared with other personalities such as political leaders, reformists, philosopher and ideologues who have played role in different periods of human history. The second characteristic of prophets i* that they began redressing the belief system of people training them how to make contacts with their sole God and what kind of beliefs should Ihey have towaids him. The .summoning of prophets is based on worships. Their argument and teaching !•ｻ that the benefits and J.i-n .-i c only the hfod ol the (rod almighty; that is why, only he deserve^ worship and prayers, auspice* and sacrifice. Therefore, the esseniinl pillar at divine summoning until the great resurrection and the everlasting heritage of prophet hood is monotheism. The full-fledged struggle of prophets has always been against polytheism and worshiping olʹ the others-than-God in the shape of idles as well living and dead personalities. Idolatry and polytheism is a univenial ignorance which has been part of the humanʹs old collection of diseases. Unfortunately this is the Achilles" heel which the man has been suffering from during every era of transformation. And it is that detestable character which provokes the anger of the Almighty as well as prevents Ihe. people from social, moral and spiritual development, However, other symbols of ignorance such as obedience to others-thon -God, acceptance of the:, judgment, surrender to non-Islamic laws and recognition of non- Islamic regimes arc also counled in polytheism njlhoujih. their intensity is lew than open-polytheism that was discussed earlier.Therefore, open polytheism should not he (alien too lightly and he given .i marginal and secondary position in the main principles of summoning, preaching, propagation and jihad, Also, it should not be put in the same category beside political obedience and administrative compli nice. To add in passing, open polytheism and idolatry are not supposed to be consid ered as characteristics of the Era ofigftOfance which now is over. It would indeed h^ m insult to the prophetsʹ summoning and h-ju efforts as well as disinist to the etemality of the holy Quran.