Criteria of True Prophet

The Holy Quran

Criteria of True Prophet

The Quran has set out some clear tests and Criteria as to how a true prophet could be differentiated from a false one. and A Muslim has been enjoined to settle all disputes in the light of the Word of God (i.e The Quran). “And those who disbelieve say, 'Thou art not a Messenger.' Say, Sufficient is Allah as a Witness between me and you and so also is he who possesses knowledge of the Book." and “ …Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are wrong-doers. To know the truth of a claimant to Divine Appointment, the case must be referred to the Quran and its Criteria. In fact the the Quran has made a prophecy that a time would come when Muslims will renounce the Quran as a judge and follow books, (e.g books of narrations and Exegeses old scholars etc.) “And the Messenger will say, 'O my Lord, my people indeed treated this Qur'án as a thing to be discarded'.”

Emphasis on the use of reason and intellect

The Quran, has emphasized the use of reason and intellect. “Already have We urged unto hell many of the jinn and humankind, having hearts wherewith they understand not, and having eyes wherewith they see not, and having ears wherewith they hear not. These are as the cattle - nay, but they are worse! These are the neglectful.” (7:179) The Quran declares that Jesus son of Mary has passed away like all mortal Messengers of God. At least 30 different verses of the Quran have been cited to prove this point.

Two kinds of Prophets

The Quran says there are two kinds of Prophets. The Law Giver prophets and the Subordinate Prophets. “Surely, We sent down the Torah wherein was guidance and light. By it did the Prophets, who were obedient to Us, judge for the Jews, as did the godly people and those learned in the Law, because they were required to preserve the Book of Allah, and because they were guardians over it" Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad was the Last Prophet to give mankind the Last Law (Shariah) as per "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the seal of the Prophets and Allah has full knowledge of all things." and "...This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion." However, many renowned scholars have believed that these verses do not preclude the Second Coming of Jesus son of Mary in the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad. Because he shall appear Only as Subordinate to the Prophet Muhammad and follow his Law." ...and even when the lord Jesus descends [at the end of days] he will rule according to his [Muhammad’s] Law " Besides the authors of Tafsir al-Jalalayn many renowned scholars of the past have interpreted the concept of the Finality in the same sense.

Second Coming of Jesus - a Metaphor

In view of the fact that Jesus son of Mary has died like all mortal beings, the Second Coming is supposed to be a metaphor. The Ahmadiyya believe that the prophecy pertained to the appearance of prophet in the power and spirit of Jesus son of Mary.

Messengers continue to appear

Messengers from Allah will continue to appear as a ‘Sunnah’ of Allah. The Quran says, “O children of Adam, If Messengers come to you from among yourselves, rehearsing My Signs unto you, then whoso shall fear Allah and do good deeds, on them shall come no fear nor shall they grieve" and “And whoso obeys Allah and this Messenger shall be among those on whom Allah has bestowed His blessings -- the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous. And an excellent company are they". The Quran teaches that a believer is gifted with all four of these spiritual bounties, i.e Prophethood, Siddiq (the Truthful), the Shahid (the Witness), Saliheen (the Righteous).

Divine Converse a Continuous Phenomenon

The Quran teaches that Divine Converse is a continuous and established “practice of God” (sunnah of Allah). He has always been speaking to human beings in various ways. The Quran says:

“And in no way is it feasible for a mortal that Allah should speak to Him, except by revelation or from beyond a curtain, or that He should send a Messenger; then He reveals whatever He decides, by His permission. Surely He is Ever-Exalted, Ever-Wise.”

The verse covers the phenomena of verbal revelations, visions and dreams, which is the psychological basis of Religious Experiences. It is the quality, intensity and perfection of such a Divine Converse, which differentiates ordinary believers from the Messengers of God. Prophet-hood is an exalted state of the very same Divine Converse which other believers are often gifted with.

Belief of Cessation of Prophethood very ancient

The belief in the “Cessation“ of Prophethood, is not new. Even in the days of Joseph, the Quran tells us, people held this belief that “No prophet shall appear herein after” The Quran says:

"And Joseph, indeed, came to you before with clear proofs, but you ceased not to be in doubt concerning that which he came to you till, when he died, you said,'Allah will never raise a Messenger after him.' Thus does Allah adjudge as having gone astray every transgressor, doubter. " (The Quran 40: 34)and "And, indeed, they thought, even as you think that Allah would never raise any Messenger" (The Quran 72:7)

Some Muslim preach the same belief as quoted by the Quran since the days of Joseph.

The Covenant from All Prophets

The Covenant from Prophets (Meethaq-un-Nabiyyeen) and their followers to believe and help all future Messengers of God. The Quran, says "And remember the time when Allah took a covenant from the people through the Prophets, saying 'Whatever I give you of the Book and Wisdom and then there comes to you a Messenger, fulfilling that which is with you, you shall believe in him and help him.' And He said, 'Do you agree, and do you accept the responsibility which I lay upon you in this matter?' They said 'We agree.' He said 'Then bear witness and I am with you among the witnesses.'" At another place, the Quran clearly says such a Covenant is taken from the Prophet Muhammad as well. It say, " And call to mind when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from thee, and from Noah and Abraham, and Moses and Jesus, son of Mary, and We indeed, took from them a solemn Covenant ".

Tidings of a Messenger by the Quran

The Quran, speaks of the advent of fresh messengers from God. It mentions the appearance of a Witness from God, to testify to the truth of Prophet Muhammad and Islam.

"Can he, then, who stands upon a clear proof from his Lord, and to testify to whose truth a witness from Him shall follow him, and who was preceded by the Book of Moses, a guide and a mercy, be an impostor? Those who are the true followers of Moses believe therein, and whoever of the opposing parties disbelieve in it, the Fire shall be his promised place. So be not thou, O reader, in doubt about it. Surely, it is the truth from thy Lord; but most men believe not".

AHMAD shall appear

Quoting verse 61:6, the Ahmadiyya believe that, the verse mentions the Founder of Islam Muhammad and at the same time his appearance as foretold in the Quran 62:3-4 (in the later days). This is, they believe, the prophecy about the Second Coming. They believe the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement appeared in the power and spirit of Jesus son of Mary as Ahmad.

"And call to mind when Jesus, son of Mary, said, 'O children of Israel, surely, I am Allah's Messenger unto you, fulfilling that which is before me of the prophecies of the Torah, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger who will come after me, his name being Ahmad. And when he came to them with clear proofs, they said, this is manifest sorcery.'"

Sura Jumma 62:3-4

The Quran 62:3-4 also very clearly speaks of the advent of a messenger in the later days. "And He will raise him among others of them who have not yet joined them. He is the Mighty, the Wise. That is Allah's grace; He bestows it on whom He pleases; and Allah is the Lord of immense grace". The interpretation of verses 62:3-4 by Prophet Muhammad as recorded is as follows: "Narrated Abu Huraira: While we were sitting with the Prophet Surah Al Jumu’ah was revealed to him, and when the Verse, ‘And He (Allah) has sent him (Muhammad) also to other (Muslims)…’ (62.3) was recited by the Prophet, I said, ‘Who are they, O Allah’s Apostle?’ The Prophet did not reply till I repeated my question thrice. At that time, Salman Al-Farisi was with us. So Allah’s Apostle put his hand on Salman, saying, ‘If Faith were at (the place of) Ath-Thuraiya (Pleiades, the highest star), even then some men or a man from these people (i.e. Salman’s folk) would attain it.’ "

Quran's Criteria of true Prophethood

The Quran defines clear Criteria to test the veracity of a claimant to Divine Appointment. These are Proofs of the Quran advanced to prove the truth of a Prophet or Messenger from God.

An unblemished Pure Life

The Quran says, "Say, 'If Allah had so willed, I should not have recited it to you, nor would I have made it known to you. I have indeed lived a whole lifetime before this. Will you not then understand?'. The Personal Life of the Claimant, has been cited as evidence of his truth. A person who has lived a flawless, unblemished life of piety and purity is a proof that he is not a liar.

Revelation of the Unseen

"He is the Knower of the unseen; and He reveals not His secrets to anyone, Except to a Messenger of His whom He chooses. And then He causes an escort of guarding angels to go before him and behind him."

The Quran claims that only God is the Knower of the Hidden and the Unseen. So one who has been sent (Apostle/Messenger), is granted Knowledge of the Hidden and the Unseen to prove his being from God. This is the basis of Prophet-hood (Literally the one who makes prophecies). So it is through such knowledge of the Unseen that a true claimant proves his claim.

God destroys a False Claimant

Both in the Islamic religion and the Biblical teachings, it is argued that a person who falsely attributes a revelation to God, is tantamount to creating a great disorder and God never lets such a one to succeed or prosper. It is argued that very soon such a claimant is destroyed through the wrath of God. The Quran and Biblical injunction are almost the same on this issue.

It is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.And if he had forged and attributed any sayings to Us, We would, surely, have seized him by the right hand, And then, surely, We would have cut his life-vein, And not one of you could have held Our punishment off from him.

"But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die".

He will Prevail

One of the Signs of a true Messenger, which the Quran presents, is that if he is from God, none would be able to frustrate his designs and he will ultimately prevail. The Quran says: "Allah has decreed: 'Most surely, I will prevail, I and My Messengers.' Verily, Allah is Powerful, Mighty.

Divine Succour

A true Prophet or Messenger of God is the recipient of full Divine support and succour. The Quran guarantees: "And, surely, Our word has gone forth to Our servants, the Messengers, That it is, certainly, they who will be helped; And that it is Our host that will, certainly, be victorious".