Author: Mohajer Azizi
Sikhism; Its Origins and Fundamental Beliefs (Part 15)
Sikh Beliefs and their criticisms
2. Prophet hood
Another fundamental and important belief among Sikh beliefs is their view of prophet hood. To examine this issue, we will first define the words “prophet” and “messenger” in terms of lexical and idiomatic terms, then we will explain and analyze the Sikh belief in prophet hood, and we will criticize and debate their view from the perspective of Islam.
A: Definition of Prophet
The word «نبی» “prophet” in Arabic is derived from «نبأ» meaning “news”. Allah Almighty says: «عَمَّ يَتَسَاءَلُونَ، عَنِ النَّبَإِ الْعَظِيمِ» Translation: “What are they asking each other about? About the great news.”[1]
And the Prophet is called «نبی» because he both receives news and gives it. He is a «مُخْبَر», meaning that Allah has informed him and revealed to him, as it is said: «قَالَتْ مَنْ أَنْبَأَكَ هَذَا قَالَ نَبَّأَنِيَ الْعَلِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ» Translation: She said, “Who informed you of this?” He said, “The All-Knowing, the All-Aware informed me.” [2]
He Is also a «مُخْبِر», meaning that he conveys the command and revelation from Allah to people: «نَبِّئْ عِبَادِي أَنِّي أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ» Translation: “Inform My servants that I am the Forgiving, the Merciful,” [3]
And: «وَنَبِّئْهُمْ عَنْ ضَيْفِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ» Translation: “And inform them of the guest of Abraham.”[4]
It has also been said: «نبوت» is derived from «نَبْوَة» which means a high place and elevated above the ground. The Arabs apply the word «نبی» to the prominent landmarks on the earth by which people find their way.
The correspondence between the literal and idiomatic meanings of the word «نبی» is that a prophet is a high-ranking human being with great dignity and status in this world and the hereafter. Prophets are the most honorable human beings and the same signs that people, with their guidance, reform their world and achieve happiness in the hereafter. [5]
B: Definition of a Messenger
In Arabic, «ارسال» means “to send” and “to dispatch”. When you send someone to carry out a mission, he is your “messenger”. Allah quotes the Queen of Sheba as saying: «وَإِنِّي مُرْسِلَةٌ إِلَيْهِمْ بِهَدِيَّةٍ فَنَاظِرَةٌ بِمَ يَرْجِعُ الْمُرْسَلُونَ» Translation: “And indeed, I will send to them a gift and see what the messengers bring back”. [6]
Sometimes the word “messenger” is used to refer to someone who follows up on the news and affairs of the one who sent him, derived from the Arab saying: «جاءت الإبلُ رَسَلاً» Translation: “The camels came one after another.”
Accordingly, the messengers are called “messengers” because they were sent by Allah Almighty: «ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَا» Translation: “Then We sent Our messengers in succession”. [7] They are commissioned by Allah Almighty with a specific message that they must deliver, implement, and follow up on. [8]
However, the definition that is most widely accepted and preferred by some scholars is as follows: “A messenger is someone who is sent by Allah with a new Sharia, while a prophet is someone who follows the previous sharia and conveys and propagates the same laws to the people.” [9]
Continues…
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References:
1. Surah Al-Naba: Verses 1-2.
2. Al-Tahrim: 3.
3. Al-Hijr: 49.
4. Al-Hijr: 51.
5. Lisan Al-Arab, Vol. 3, p. 561; Lawami’ Al-Anwar Al-Bahiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 49; Al-Rusul wa Al-Risalat,
p. 13.
6. Al-Naml: 35.
7. Mu’minun: 44.
8. Lisan Al-Arab, Vol. 2, pp. 1166-1167; Al-Misbah Al-Munir, p. 266; Al-Rusul wa Al-Risalat, p. 13.
9. Tafsir Al-Alusi, Vol. 7, p. 157.
