The beginning of the appointment (Mab’ath) of the Prophet of Islam to Prophethood is in a way the start of the revelation of the holy Book of the religion of Islam, the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran is a direction and a map to a path that humans through sticking to it and to its main teacher, the Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP), will attain their destination. But in order to become familiar with this everlasting miracle of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP), the best way would be to refer to this Holy Book. Allah (SWT) who revealed the Holy Quran, knows the Holy Quran better than any other creature and He is the most deserving one to describe the Holy Quran; therefore, the best description is the description that Allah says about this holy book:
Clarity and the Clearness of the Holy Quran
Allah the almighty has introduced the Quran as bright to the people of the world as such: “O people! Surely there has come to you manifest proof from your Lord and We have sent to you clear light.”(1)
The characterization of the Quran as being bright means that its teachings are guidance and it helps all societies from darkness, or darkness of manners, or doubt in knowledge, or confusion in finding the right path. (2)
Mankind’s Salvation in the Holy Quran
Allah (SWT) has introduced the Quran with the term Tebyan (One which clarifies) has taught everything to human beings. (3) Anything that is beneficial to people’s salvation has been recorded in the Holy Quran. If there are any act that can be useful to mankind’s salvation has certainly been provided in this Holy Book and also if there are any act that will result in mankind’s life in atrocities has been ordered to prevent about.
The Teachers of the Holy Quran
Although the Holy Quran has introduced itself as light, and it claims that it contains all that which is necessary for a person’s salvation, however, such a program and solution in all aspects cannot be executed without the presence of a teacher and an interpreter. It is upon this that, Allah (SWT) has introduced Himself as the main teacher of this Holy Book (4). Since understanding divine concepts is not possible without the intercession for normal people, (5) the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) who has been sent by Allah (SWT) has the position to teach the Quran and clarify all its concepts; and Allah (SWT) has placed the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HP) as the teacher of the holy book and wisdom and the interpreter of the Holy Quran, and He has said, “…. (We sent them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies; and We have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to men what is sent for them, and that they may give thought.” (6)
Although man’s wisdom is a strong tool for recognizing the path to salvation and understanding the teachings within the Quran, however it is in no way enough, because a person cannot rely on his human wisdom alone to attain his everlasting salvation, rather a prophet sent by Allah must explain divine teachings.(7)
In summary, the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP) teaches mankind content which is placed in the access of people, who would not have had access to it in any other manner, and because the Prophet receives all divine knowledge within the Quran without an intercession, thus the responsibility of the interpretation and clarification of this Great Book is placed upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). (8)
So although that the Quran is pure light and clarity, for people to benefit from the concept, it is necessary to learn from the concept from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and his progeny who are his true successors.
Indeed, this is how the Great Prophet of Islam, Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdullah (PBUH), being selected by Allah to guide people, became the bearer and the interpreter of the Holy Quran eternally and he said about this: “By reaching to the Holy Quran and my Progeny you will drown in the wrong path” (9)
(The above is a selection taken from “Fundamentals of understanding the Holy Quran”, by Ayatollah Jawadi Amuli (with some changes and additions))
The Roshd Website offers congratulations to all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon 27th of Rajab, the commencement of the descent of the Holy Quran and the appointment of the last Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP).
Footnotes:
1-The Holy Quran (4:174)
2-The Holy Quran (14:1)
3-The Holy Quran (16:89)
4-The Holy Quran (55:1-2)
5-The Holy Quran (73:5)
6- The Holy Quran (16:44)
7- As an example: Life after death and the existence of angles are not provable our reasoning, rather it relies on narration to clarify.
8- The Holy Quran (1:151)
9-Osool Kafi, vol. 1, pg. 294 – Sunni references: Sonan Termazi: vol. 12, pg. 258; Masnad Ahmad, vol. 44, pg. 134 and etc.