Author: Mohajer Azizi
Scientology; Its Origins and Beliefs (Part 11)
c. Prophethood from the Perspective of Scientology
Scientology does not believe in any prophet, nor does it accept the Divine Messengers such as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Jesus (MABH), Moses (MABH), and other Prophets (MABH). In this doctrine, no one is introduced as a “medium of revelation” or “representative of God.”
Hubbard, the founder of this doctrine, repeatedly denied the existence and mission of Prophet Jesus May Allah Bless them in his lectures and writings, considering it a fabrication and a false belief of the people. He added that Christ never existed but was instead “implanted” into the collective memory of human beings. Likewise, he denied the existence and mission of all other Prophets (MABH), including the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Scientology teaches that every human being is essentially a spiritual entity (Thetan) who possesses knowledge and unique abilities within himself and therefore has no need for a prophet or external revelation. Consequently, the concept of prophethood does not exist in this doctrine and is considered completely obsolete in their view.
However, Ron Hubbard is also not regarded as a prophet by Scientologists. Rather, they consider him an explorer of the mind, soul, and truth who discovered a scientific–psychological path for the liberation of human beings. Followers of this doctrine revere him and hold a level of respect similar to the status of a prophet.
Furthermore, as explained earlier, Scientology does not believe in the existence of a Creator of the universe. When they do not believe in God, how can they believe in prophets?
d. Prophethood from the Perspective of Islam
Belief in the mission of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the other Prophets (MABH) is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. Denying his (PBUH) mission as the Seal of the Prophets (MABH) and the abrogator of previous divine laws—or denying the prophethood of other Prophets (MABH) who served as the bearers of Divine revelation—leads a person into disbelief and deviation.
Here, we explain the proof of prophethood from three perspectives—rational, innate, and textual (Qur’anic and Hadith-based)—to clarify why Islam considers belief in prophethood essential.
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Rational Proof of Prophethood
Islam, as a religion of balance and human nature, grants a special position to human reason, and Allah the Almighty calls people to think and reflect in many Qur’anic verses. However, reason alone does not have comprehensive capability and cannot know all true benefits and harms. Human beings remain ignorant in many matters—such as worship, ethics, the ultimate purpose of life, and the unseen. Therefore, a divinely sent guide must be appointed by the All-Knowing and All-Powerful Creator, to show people the right path and refine their character and conduct.
Just as an engineer of a factory sends a “manual of operating machinery” for workers, Allah the Almighty sends a “manual of life” to humanity through His Prophets (MABH).
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (MABH) states in his great work “Proving Prophethood.
A miracle is not the only condition for prophethood… A claimant to prophethood is either among the most truthful of people or among the liars; only the most ignorant would confuse this. Individuals such as Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Khadijah, and the other early heralds of Islam (RA) believed in the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) before the splitting of the moon, before knowledge of the unseen, and before the Qur’anic challenge.[1]
Many people recognize the honesty of a person even without miracles… When Musa (MABH) came to Egypt and said that Allah had sent him, people recognized his truthfulness before seeing any miracle. Similarly, when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explained his situation to Khadijah (RA) and she took him to Waraqah bin Nawfal, Waraqah said: “This is the same messenger who came to Moses (MABH).” Likewise, al-Najashi and Abu Bakr (RA) recognized his truthfulness by observing his character and trustworthiness. How, then, could someone known for a lifetime of honesty and trustworthiness suddenly be suspected when conveying news that only the truest of people could claim?
Ibn al-Qayyim (MABH) also states regarding the rational proofs presented by the Qur’an: Allah has guided His servants through His Prophets (MABH) with the clearest and most accessible methods—those that require the least effort, provide the most benefit, and yield the greatest results… The rational proofs in the Qur’an are the clearest, most understandable, closest to human comprehension, and most effective in eliminating doubt.
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Honesty and Trustworthiness of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
One of the greatest signs of the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) is his lifelong honesty and trustworthiness. Before his mission, he was famously known as “al-Sādiq al-Amīn” (the truthful, the trustworthy). Even the disbelievers of Makkah affirmed that they had never heard him lie.
Ibn ʿAbbas (RA) narrates that when the verse «وأنذر عشيرتك الأقربين» was revealed, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) called the clans of Quraysh to Mount Safa. He asked them: “If I tell you an army is about to attack you from behind this valley, will you believe me?” They said: “Yes, for we have never heard you tell a lie.” [3] Even Abu Sufyan (RA), before accepting Islam, testified before Heraclius, the Roman emperor, that Muhammad (PBUH) had never been accused of lying. [4]
The people of Makkah trusted him so deeply that they used him as an arbitrator in disputes. As narrated from Qays ibn Sa’ib: “أَنَّهُ كَانَ فِيمَنْ يَبْنِي الْكَعْبَةَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، قَالَ: وَلِي حَجَرٌ أَنَا نَحَتُّهُ بِيَدَيَّ أَعْبُدُهُ مِنْ دُونِ اللهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى، فَأَجِيءُ بِاللَّبَنِ الْخَاثِرِ الَّذِي أَنْفَسُهُ عَلَى نَفْسِي، فَأَصُبُّهُ عَلَيْهِ، فَيَجِيءُ الْكَلْبُ فَيَلْحَسُهُ، ثُمَّ يَشْغَرُ فَيَبُولُ، فَبَنَيْنَا حَتَّى بَلَغْنَا مَوْضِعَ الْحَجَرِ، وَمَا يَرَى الْحَجَرَ أَحَدٌ، فَإِذَا هُوَ وَسْطَ حِجَارَتِنَا مِثْلَ رَأْسِ الرَّجُلِ يَكَادُ يَتَرَاءَى مِنْهُ وَجْهُ الرَّجُلِ، فَقَالَ: بَطْنٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ نَحْنُ نَضَعُهُ، وَقَالَ آخَرُونَ نَحْنُ نَضَعُهُ، فَقَالُوا: اجْعَلُوا بَيْنَكُمْ حَكَمًا، قَالُوا: أَوَّلَ رَجُلٍ يَطْلُعُ مِنَ الْفَجِّ، فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالُوا: أَتَاكُمُ الْأَمِينُ، فَقَالُوا لَهُ، فَوَضَعَهُ فِي ثَوْبٍ، ثُمَّ دَعَا بُطُونَهُمْ فَأَخَذُوا بِنَوَاحِيهِ مَعَهُ، فَوَضَعَهُ هُوَ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ” [5] Translation: “I was among those who rebuilt the Ka‘bah during the pre-Islamic era. I had a stone that I carved with my own hands and worshipped besides Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He. I would bring thickened milk, pour it over it; then a dog would lick it and urinate, but I still worshipped it. We continued building until we reached the place of the Black Stone. No one had seen it before, when suddenly it appeared among our stones, resembling the head of a man, as though the face could almost be seen.
One clan of Quraysh said, ‘We will place it.’ Another said, ‘No, we will place it.’ So, they agreed to appoint a judge. They said, ‘The first man to enter the valley will decide.’ The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came, and they said, ‘The Trustworthy One has come.’ They asked him to arbitrate. He (PBUH) placed the Stone in a cloth, called the clans to hold its corners, and together they lifted it. He (PBUH) then placed it in its position.”
Further Proofs of Prophethood
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Declaration of Universal Mission: From the moment the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was commanded to convey Allah’s message, he declared his mission for all humanity. Even in weakness and persecution, he claimed: “I am the Messenger of Allah for all the worlds.”
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This is logically impossible for a dishonest person under such circumstances. His steadfastness, honesty, and noble ethics before prophethood are strong rational evidence of his legitimacy. [6][7]
Continues…
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References:
[1] Ibn Taymiyyah, Thubut al-Nubuwwat ‘Aqlan wa Naqlan, p. 573
[2] Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Sawa’iq al-Mursalah, vol. 2, p. 460
[3] Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4770
[4] Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 7
[5] Musnad Ahmad, vol. 24, p. 262
[6] Dr. Anas Muhammad, Al-Adillah al-‘Aqliyyah ‘ala Sidq al-Nabi fi Da’wah, Aluka Website
[7] Ibid.
