Belief in the Messengers (2)

Descriptions of Messengers which Muslims must believe in:

Allah (Glory be to Him) chose Messengers from among the nations who received the messages, and Allah knows the best. Those who were chosen to fulfill that great mission must have got the highest degree of human perfection whether in moral, bodily, mental, and spiritual aspects. Therefore, scholars mentioned a set of basic qualities that Muslims should believe in the Messengers and Prophets (peace be upon them), of which are the following:

1- Acumen:

A Messenger carries a divine message to the people by which he confronts different types of people and mostly the confrontation took place between the Messengers and those in power who seek the help of thinkers and people who master argument. So, if a Messenger had not been clever and smart, he would have not refuted their claims and convinced them with the opposite. People who follow these proofs and evidences which the Prophets and Messengers mentioned to their people such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Shu`ayb (Jethro), Lut and others shall see this quality evident in their characters.

2- Infallibility:

A Messenger is the first to apply the instructions of his Lord, moreover he is the model example to his followers in regard to belief, manners, and actions. In order that following would be correct and the model example would be free of deviation, Allah (Glory be to Him) protected His Messengers from falling into sins, so it is not imaginable that a Messenger falls into disobedience to the commands of his Lord voluntarily. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "Certainly, there has been in them an excellent example for you to follow, for those who look forward to (the Meeting with) Allah (for the reward from Him) and the Last Day. And whosoever turn away, then verily, Allah is Rich (Free of all wants), Worthy of all Praise." [Surat Al Mumtahanah: 6]

3- Integrity:

A Messenger is entrusted with the Shari`ah of his Lord: Conveying, applying, explaining, so he cannot betray his Lord in terms of the message by concealing and not delivering it to people. It is impossible to disable its rulings without applying them in his life to himself and his family first then to his followers. Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) conveyed all that was revealed to him from his Lord and we find a set of divine gentle reproofs regarding some personal aspects in his life, his mission as well as military and political issues which the Prophet (peace be upon him) delivered all out of his trustworthiness.

4- Truthfulness:

There are some basic attributes which bring confidence in a person and impose his respect to others; of these attributes is truthfulness. Therefore, scholars said: Of the qualities that must exist in the Messengers is truthfulness because untruthfulness is a proof to the weakness of a person's character and a reason for not accepting his words or actions, and all these contradict the mission of a Messenger who instills belief inside people and establishes the props of integrity on high morals and virtues. That will not be achieved but through following the Prophets (peace be upon them) in their manners, particularly truthfulness and integrity.

5- Conveying the message:

Of the basic missions that a Messenger should fulfill is conveying the message of the Lord to the people. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "O Messenger (Muhammad SAW)! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message. Allah will protect you from mankind. Verily, Allah guides not the people who disbelieve." [Surat Al Ma'idah: 67].

The Glorious Qur'an explained that Allah protects His Messengers when delivering the message from people who may add something to their messages. So, no human or jinn can interfere in their messages but they are protected by Allah until they deliver the message correctly. Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says: "(He Alone is) the All-Knower of the Ghaib (Unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghaib (Unseen). * Except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of unseen as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to march before him and behind him. * [He (Allâh) protects them (the Messengers)], till He sees that they (the Messengers) have conveyed the Messages of their Lord (Allâh). And He (Allâh) surrounds all that which is with them, and He (Allâh) keeps count of all things (i.e. He knows the exact number of everything)." [Surat Al Jinn: 26 - 28].

6- Soundness of senses from repulsive diseases:

The mission of a Messenger in conveying and rearing requires mixture with people, attracting hearts to his mission, following him in all his conditions, and loving him. The lack of these senses such as blindness, deafness, dumbness, and catching a repulsive disease such as leprosy and others contradict the nature of the mission with which he was charged and a cause for diverting people away from him and all these may fail his mission which aim to guidance and reformation. Verily, Allah (Glory be to Him) chose the most reasonable, soft-hearted, best manner, and the most beautiful people who are more close to people.

Unlike these qualities, Prophets may get normal diseases, need food, drink, and earning money for living as ordinary people, and sometimes they become victorious or defeated, winners and losers. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And We sent not before you (O Muhammad SAW) but men to whom We inspired, so ask the people of the Reminder [Scriptures - the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel)] if you do not know." [Surat Al Anbiya': 7].

Allah (Exalted be He) says: "And We never sent before you (O Muhammad peace be upon him) any of the Messengers but verily, they ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer (of everything)." [Surat Al Furqan: 20]