The Evaluation of al-Māwardī's A'lām al-nubuwwah as a Defense of Prophethood

• Published in: Cumhuriyet ilahiyat dergisi 2023-12, Vol.27 (2), p.422-442
• Main Authors: Çelik, Ahmet, Gür, Eyüp
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; tur
• Subjects: Islam; Jewish people; Muhammad (prophet); Religion; Religious literature; Scholars; Theology
• ISSN: 2528-9861; 2528-987X
• DOI: 10.18505/cuid.1330880

Prophethood (nubuwwah) is a divine institution that teaches the healthy progression of relations between Allah and humans, as well as between humans and the universe. However, from another perspective, it is also considered a human institution. Some opponents of religion, lacking strong evidence to challenge the existence of Allah, direct their objections towards prophethood, which is seen as a manifestation of Allah's attribute of speech (kalām). To counter the rejection of prophethood, scholars of theology (kalām), hadith, and Prophetic biography (sīrah) have compiled a body of literature known as Dalā'il al-nubuwwah (Proofs of Prophethood). Their aim has been to collect proofs supporting prophethood as a response to these refutations and to dispel doubts regarding it. All extraordinary events occurring from before the birth until the death of Prophet Muhammad are considered evidence.During the fifth century, a notable figure in this tradition was the Shāfi'ī scholar al-Māwardī, who defended prophethood in his book A'lām al-nubuwwah (The Signs of Prophethood). A'lām al-nubuwwah has inspired subsequent works in this field due to its clarity and robust proofs. It became known by both names, A'lām al-nubuwwah and Dalā'il al-nubuwwah, as it encompassed methods of narration and debate. Within his work, al-Māwardī mentions figures like Barāhimah, Dahriyyah, and certain philosophers as representatives of the idea rejecting prophethood. According to him, Barāhimah, of Indian origin is a sect that denies prophethood despite accepting the unity of Allah. Dahriyyah is a denialist sect attributing eternity to the universe and creativity to nature. Al-Māwardī considers these philosophers as infidels due to their comments on prophethood rather than outright denial. The basis of these movements' idea of denying prophethood lies in their efforts to portray reason ('aql) as an alternative to revelation (waḥy). Jews and Christians, on the other hand, are portrayed as groups that accept the concept of prophethood, however they reject Muḥammad's. prophecy. Their objection stems from the fear of their religions being superseded. Al-Māwardī counters those rejecting prophethood by addressing the public interest (maṣlaḥah) of humans, the necessity of prophets, and the role of miracles. He illustrates that prophet charged with the duty of prophethood proves it through spectacular events orchestrated by Allah but carried out through his own hand. The prophet serves the public int