Proclaiming the Truth: The Responsibility of the Muslim Community

Proclaiming the Truth: The Responsibility of the Muslim Community From the beginning of the history of man, God sent a series of Prophets to the world. The Prophets were a human agency by which knowledge of truth was communicated to man: We have revealed Our will to you as We revealed it to Noah and to the prophets who came after him; as We revealed it to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes; to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, Solomon and David, to whom We gave the Psalms. Of some apostles We have already told you; but there are others of whom We have not yet spoken—and God spoke directly to Moses—apostles who brought good news to mankind and admonished them, that they might have no plea against God after their coming. God is Mighty and Wise. (Quran, 4:165) Adam was not only the first man; he was the first prophet too. Prophets continued to be sent until, in the 7th century of the Christian era, it was God’s will that the chain of prophethood be terminated. The Prophet Mohammad (570-632 A.D) was the final Messenger of God. But as God’s message is concerned, it still has to be communicated to man, just as it had to be communicated in the time of the prophets. The followers of the Prophet Mohammad have been chosen for this task. God’s final Messenger proclaimed the whole truth to us; it is now our duty to follow his example and proclaim it to mankind until the Last Day: In this as in former scriptures He has given you the name of Muslims, so that His apostle may testify against you, and that you yourselves may testify against your fellowmen. (Quran, 22:78) If Muslims fail to communicate the divine message, they forfeit the right to be called the followers of the Prophet.