How are Muslims to tell the difference between a true and a false prophet?
Muslims discern between a true prophet and a false one through several key principles outlined in the Qur'an and Hadith. A fundamental aspect is recognizing the attributes and actions of a true prophet, as well as the messages they convey.
The Qur'an emphasizes that true prophets are sent with divine guidance and clear signs. For example, it states, Is He Who leadeth to the Truth more deserving that He should be followed, or he who findeth not the way unless he (himself) be guided?
10:35. This verse underscores the importance of following one who is guided by divine truth, highlighting that a true prophet leads others towards the right path.
Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that the community of believers plays a vital role in witnessing the truth of a prophet's message. In a narration, he said, The Prophet will come along with two men, or three, or more or fewer. Then he will be asked, 'Have you conveyed the message to your people?' He will reply, 'Yes.' Then his people will be called and asked, 'Have you received the message?' They will say, 'No.' Then it will be asked, 'Who testifies for you?' They will reply, 'Muhammad and his nation.' Then the nation of Muhammad will be called and asked, 'Did this reach you?' They say, 'Yes.' It will then be said, 'And what makes you certain of this?' They say, 'Our Prophet informed us that the messengers conveyed their message, and we believed them.' This illustrates the verse, 'Thus We have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people, and the messenger will be a witness over you'
Sunan Ibn Majah 38:185.
Moreover, the Imams in Shia tradition also emphasize the necessity of guidance through prophets. In one narration, it is stated, It is established that He has ambassadors among His creatures who convey His messages to His servants and guide them to their interests and benefits... This has been established in every era and time through what the messengers and prophets have brought as evidence and proofs
Al-Kafi 4:1. This highlights that true prophets are recognized by their divine mission and the wisdom they impart to their communities.
In summary, Muslims determine the authenticity of a prophet through their adherence to divine guidance, the testimonies of the community, and the wisdom reflected in their teachings.
Sources
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10:35 · Yunus
10:35 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
قُلْ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَهْدِىٓ إِلَى ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يَهْدِى لِلْحَقِّ ۗ أَفَمَن يَهْدِىٓ إِلَى ٱلْحَقِّ أَحَقُّ أَن يُتَّبَعَ أَمَّن لَّا يَهِدِّىٓ إِلَّآ أَن يُهْدَىٰ ۖ فَمَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
Say: Is there of your partners (whom ye ascribe unto Allah) one that leadeth to the Truth? Say: Allah leadeth to the Truth. Is He Who leadeth to the Truth more deserving that He should be followed, or he who findeth not the way unless he (himself) be guided. What aileth you? How judge ye?
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Sunan Ibn Majah 38:185
Sunan Ibn Majah · Book 38, Hadith 185 · Narrated by Abi Sa'id
The Prophet said, ‘The Prophet will come along with two men, or three, or more or fewer. Then he will be asked, “Have you conveyed the message to your people?” He will reply, “Yes.” Then his people will be called and asked, “Have you received the message?” They will say, “No.” Then it will be asked, “Who testifies for you?” They will reply, “Muhammad and his nation.” Then the nation of Muhammad will be called and asked, “Did this reach you?” They say, “Yes.” It will then be said, “And what makes you certain of this?” They say, “Our Prophet informed us that the messengers conveyed their message, and we believed them.” This illustrates the verse, “Thus We have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people, and the messenger will be a witness over you.”’
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Al-Kafi 4:1
Al-Kafi · Book 4, Hadith 1
He said to the heretic who asked him, 'How do you prove the prophets and messengers?' He said: When we prove that we have a Creator, a Maker, exalted above us and all that He created, and that Maker is Wise and Exalted, it is impossible that His creatures behold Him or touch Him. Yet He communicates with and debates them, and they debate Him. It is established that He has ambassadors among His creatures who convey His messages to His servants and guide them to their interests and benefits and what sustains their life and, by withholding it, causes their ruin. It is proven that those who command and forbid on behalf of the Wise, All-Knowing One among His creation—the conveyors of His message—are the prophets (peace be upon them), His elect among His creatures, wise, disciplined in wisdom, sent with wisdom, not sharing with people in their creation or formation in any condition. They are supported from the Wise, All-Knowing, by that wisdom. This has been established in every era and time through what the messengers and prophets have brought as evidence and proofs, so that God's earth is never devoid of a proof bearing knowledge that demonstrates the truth of their statement and the validity of their justice. — OR — Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) said: You must perform prayer in the mosques, treat people kindly, bear witness truthfully, and attend funerals. Indeed, you are in need of people; no one is self-sufficient of others in his life, and people inevitably need one another. — OR — Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, the author of this book, may Allah have mercy on him, said: Muhammad ibn Yahya told me from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Mu’awiya ibn Wahb, who said: I asked Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) about the best means by which servants draw near to their Lord and that which is most beloved to Allah, the Almighty. He said, 'I do not know anything better after knowledge than this prayer. Do you not see that the righteous servant ‘Isa, son of Mary (peace be upon him), said and advised me to pray and give zakat as long as I lived?' — OR — In the book of Ali (peace be upon him) regarding the words of Allah the Glorious and Exalted, 'And you have not taught the beasts to accomplish your purpose,' he said, 'They are the dogs.' — OR — I asked Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him): What does it mean, the statement of Allah the Mighty and Majestic, 'Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption in the land, it is as if he had killed all mankind'? I said, how can it be as if he killed all mankind since he only killed one? He said, a place is laid in Hell for him, where the intensity of its inhabitants' torment would end if he killed all mankind; rather he would only enter that place. I said, what if he killed another? He said, it will be doubled upon him.
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