al-Rusul wa al-Risalat

al-Rusul wa al-Risalat (The Messengers and the Messages) is a theological work by the Jordanian Islamic scholar Umar Sulayman al-Ashqar (d. 1433 AH / 2012 CE), examining the Islamic doctrine of prophethood and messengership through scriptural texts Fatawa al-Shabaka al-Isla…+1.

Context and Purpose

The book forms part of al-Ashqar's multi-volume theological series, al-Aqidah fi Daw' al-Kitab wa al-Sunnah (Islamic Creed in the Light of the Quran and Sunnah), which was authored to present traditional Islamic beliefs directly from the Quran and authentic Prophetic traditions Nahw Thaqafa Islamiyya As…+1. In this volume, al-Ashqar focuses on belief in the messengers as an essential pillar of Islamic faith, framing disbelief in them as total misguidance al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya.

Contents and Key Themes

Revelation and Reason

The work addresses the role of human intellect in relation to divine revelation. Al-Ashqar rejects the claim that revelation suppresses or nullifies reason; rather, revelation guides the intellect to observe and contemplate creation al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya. He describes the intellect’s function as verifying the authenticity of divine revelation, comprehending it, and striving to implement it, likening revelation's illumination of the intellect to sunlight enabling the eye to see al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya.

The Nature and Modalities of Revelation

Al-Ashqar discusses the human nature of prophets, emphasizing the divine wisdom in appointing mortals rather than other beings to communicate God's message al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya. The text outlines the modalities of revelation, including:

• Direct divine speech from behind a veil, as occurred with Adam, Moses, and the Prophet Muhammad during the Night Journey al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya.
• Conveyance through the archangel Gabriel, who could appear in his true angelic form, communicate like the chiming of a bell, or take human form al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+1.
• Early precursors to revelation experienced by Muhammad ﷺ, such as hearing voices and seeing lights before openly encountering the angel al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya.

Characteristics and Infallibility of Prophets

The book surveys the special traits (khasa'is) granted to prophets, including their ability to perceive aspects of the unseen, their eyes sleeping while their hearts remain awake, their being given a choice between life and death at the end of their lives, their burial at the exact location where they die, and their living state in their graves where they perform prayer al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+3.

Regarding infallibility (ismah), al-Ashqar maintains that prophets are protected from error in receiving and conveying the divine message, ensuring that revelation reaches humanity completely al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya. While minor human errors or slips (sagha'ir) may occur in other matters, they are quickly pointed out by God for correction and repentance; such instances cannot be used as a ground to disparage the prophets, but instead serve as moral examples of turning to God in repentance al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+1.

Proofs of Prophethood

The author gathers evidence for the veracity of prophethood (dala'il al-nubuwwah), drawing upon historical testimonies, predictions preserved in earlier scriptures, and sensory miracles al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+1. He discusses specific miraculous incidents reported in hadith collections, such as inanimate objects greeting the Prophet ﷺ, animals communicating their grievances, and healings al-Mawsuaa al-Aqadiyya+1.

Publication and Reception

The book has seen multiple printings, including a sixth edition issued in Jordan by Dar al-Nafais in 1415 AH / 1995 CE Manhaj al-Shaykh Muhammad…. Contemporary scholars and educational curricula frequently recommend it as an accessible reference on prophetic doctrine and the proofs of prophethood for students of Islamic knowledge Fatawa wa Istisharat al-I…+2.