by Bushra Javaria Alvi
Dr. Muhammad encourages us to realize the importance of having objective criteria for determining and practicing ethics and morals. That is why divine revelation is so important. If a number of intellects were to gather and decide on a system, they would not agree on what they considered to be right or wrong. This would be subjective and biased. As we have seen throughout history, what is considered right and wrong has changed drastically through the years as it changes with the mindset of the people. However, Islam is firm in its stance and has been since the day it came about.
Intelligent people cannot agree on a universal criteria of ethics without revelation. Science doesn’t answer what is good or bad either. One can only have knowledge of the Unseen through revelation, which is only obtained by following a prophet. There is no other way. Muslims agree on what’s right and wrong in the Qurʾān, but materialists can’t agree with themselves. For example, in the distribution of wealth, a poor person sees a rich person and steals from him, thinking he doesn’t need it. Capitalists won’t share with anyone, so the rich person will demand a return. Who’s right and who’s wrong? Revelation will say both are wrong, but how will people without guidance decide and resolve that? They will disagree.
We should appreciate the virtue of prophecy and its representation because, without prophecy, there is no divine knowledge. However, we can make a claim, but it is just that. Since polytheism cannot be proven intellectually, the only way is through the institution of prophethood. Through prophecy, we can have some knowledge of the Unseen, despite the fact that materialists do not and will not believe in it.
