al-Haja ila al-Rusul

al-Haja ila al-Rusul (The Need for Messengers) is an Islamic theological treatise on prophethood (nubuwwa) that examines the human necessity for divine revelation, the attributes of messengers, and their role in guiding humanity al-Haja ila al-Rusul+1.

Purpose and Theological Foundations

The treatise establishes that while God endowed human beings with cognitive faculties to serve as vicegerents on earth, human reason alone can only grasp a small portion of the universe al-Haja ila al-Rusul. Because much of existence belongs to the realm of the unseen (ghayb), humans require an informed divine source to provide knowledge about God and the cosmos al-Haja ila al-Rusul. Furthermore, while humanity possesses an innate disposition to worship God, abstract reason cannot deduce the detailed nature of God's attributes or the specific forms and manners of worship required, creating a perpetual need for messengers al-Haja ila al-Rusul.

The text emphasizes that prophethood is a purely divine selection (istifa') rather than an acquired achievement al-Haja ila al-Rusul. It cannot be attained through intellectual exertion, ascetic practices, or moral refinement, but is granted solely through divine revelation (wahy) according to God's wisdom al-Haja ila al-Rusul.

Human Nature and Attributes of Messengers

The work addresses the wisdom behind sending human messengers rather than angels:

• Humans are naturally suited to serve as practical role models and community leaders al-Haja ila al-Rusul.
• Direct interaction with angels would pose severe hardship due to their different nature al-Haja ila al-Rusul.
• Human messengers eliminate the excuse that divine commands exceed human physical and moral capacities al-Haja ila al-Rusul.

Consequently, messengers experience human conditions such as eating, illness, hardship, and mortality, while remaining completely devoid of divine attributes al-Haja ila al-Rusul+1. The treatise outlines key traits shared by all messengers:

• Truthfulness (al-sidq): Essential for conveying divine speech, supported by evident miracles al-Haja ila al-Rusul.
• Trustworthiness (al-amana): Faithfulness in preserving and transmitting the message without alteration al-Haja ila al-Rusul.
• Sagacity (al-fitna): Keen intellect and sound reasoning to resolve doubts and debate opponents, as illustrated in the Quranic accounts of Ibrahim and Musa al-Haja ila al-Rusul.
• Infallibility (al-isma): Divine protection from major sins and intentional minor transgressions; unintentional minor slips are corrected immediately by divine guidance al-Haja ila al-Rusul+1.

Functions and Governance

The treatise delineates the core missions assigned to messengers:

• Clear Proclamation (al-balagh al-mubin): Transmitting revelation courageously despite opposition al-Haja ila al-Rusul.
• Calling to Monotheism (Tawhid): Instructing people in the oneness of God, religious rituals, and ethical conduct by personal example al-Haja ila al-Rusul+1.
• Glad Tidings and Warning (al-tabshir wa-l-indhar): Establishing moral accountability and announcing divine reward and punishment al-Haja ila al-Rusul.
• Rectification of Societal Deviations: Addressing specific corruptions in their respective eras—such as idolatry under Nuh and Ibrahim, economic fraud under Shu'ayb, and excessive materialism under Musa—culminating in the comprehensive and final message of Muhammad ﷺ al-Haja ila al-Rusul+1.
• Political Leadership and Community Affairs: Guiding society through revealed law and practical consultation (shura), contrasting Islamic governance with Western notions of theocratic rule by subordinating rulers and subjects alike to divine law al-Haja ila al-Rusul+1.