Special Prophethood

Priority: b, Quality: b
From wikishia

Special prophethood or al-nubuwwat al-khāṣṣa (Arabic: النُبُوَّة الخاصَّة) is a term in theology (or Islamic theology) referring to a set of issues concerning the prophethood of a particular prophet. Special prophethood is contrasted to general prophethood in which general issues of prophethood are discussed. In Islamic theological books, issues of special prophethood are limited to the prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad (s). Some issues of special prophethood include proofs for the prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad (s), the Qur'an as his miracle, and the Finality of Prophethood.

The Notion

Special prophethood refers to theological issues about the prophethood of a particular prophet.[1] It is contrasted to general prophethood.[2] It includes issues such as the reasons for the prophethood of a particular person and his miracles.[3]

Issues of Special Prophethood

In Islamic theological books, special prophethood is concerned with proofs for the prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad (s).[4] Moreover, in some books, the issue of the Finality of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad (s) is also discussed.[5]

Here are some issues of special prophethood in Islamic theological books:

Miracles

The bulk of the issues of special prophethood is concerned with the miracles of the Prophet of Islam (s). The Qur'an is discussed in detail as his main miracle.[6]

The Prophecy of Earlier Prophets

In some books of theology, the prophecy or prediction of earlier prophets vis-à-vis the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (s) is also discussed.[7] Some people take such prophecy to be a proof for his prophethood.[8] They believe that there is evidence in the Gospel and Torah in which earlier prophets have foretold the prophethood of Muhammad (s).[9] However, some scholars reject this claim, holding that phrases appealed to do not imply the appearance of the Prophet of Islam (s).[10]

Finality of Prophethood

Muslims unanimously believe that the Prophet of Islam (s) was the last messenger of God.[11] Thus, in issues of special prophethood, finality of his prophethood is sometimes discussed.[12] As the holy Qur'an confirms: "Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Apostle of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets" (Qur'an 33:40)

See Also

Notes

  1. Subḥānī, ʿAqāʾid-i Islāmī, p. 226.
  2. Saʿīdīmihr, Āmūzish-i kalām-i Islāmī, vol. 2, p. 14.
  3. Motahhari, Majmūʿa-yi āthār, vol. 4, p. 527; Saʿīdīmihr, Āmūzish-i kalām-i Islāmī, vol. 2, p. 88.
  4. See: Subḥānī, ʿAqāʾid-i Islāmī, p. 303-414; Saʿīdīmihr, Āmūzish-i kalām-i Islāmī, vol. 2, p. 87-121.
  5. See: Rabbānī Gulpāyigānī, ʿAqāʾid-i istidlālī, p. 75-102.
  6. Subḥānī, ʿAqāʾid-i Islāmī, p. 322-414.
  7. Saʿīdīmihr, Āmūzish-i kalām-i Islāmī, vol. 2, p. 116-118.
  8. Suliymānī, "Qurʾān wa bishārathā-yi payāmbarān", p. 51-52.
  9. Saʿīdīmihr, Āmūzish-i kalām-i Islāmī, vol. 2, p. 116-118.
  10. Suliymānī, "Qurʾān wa bishārathā-yi payāmbarān", p. 52-54.
  11. Jawādī Āmulī, Khātimīyyat-i Payāmbar, p. 6.
  12. See: Saʿīdīmihr, Āmūzish-i kalām-i Islāmī, vol. 2, p. 123-127.

References

  • Jawādī Āmulī, ʿAbd Allāh. "Khātimīyyat-i Payāmbar-i Islām." Pāsdar-i Islām 259:6-23.
  • Motahhari, Morteza. Majmūʿa-yi āthār. Tehran: Ṣadrā, 1407 AH.
  • Rabbānī Gulpāyigānī, ʿAlī. ʿAqāʾid-i istidlālī. Fourth edition. Qom: Markaz-i Nashr-i Hājar, 1392 Sh.
  • Saʿīdīmihr, Muḥammad. Āmūzish-i kalām-i Islāmī. Sixth edition. Qom: Kitāb-i Ṭāhā, 1388 Sh.
  • Subḥānī, Jaʿfar. ʿAqāʾid-i Islāmī dar partu-yi Qurʾān. Second edition. Qom: Būstān-i Kitāb, 1386 Sh.
  • Suliymānī Ardistānī, ʿAbd al-Raḥīm. 1381 Sh. "Qurʾān wa bishārathā-yi payāmbarān." Haft Āsimān 16:47-62.