The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 144
Essence of Islam-III 144 and who were taught the prayer: 114 اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ should have been deprived of this high rank and not one of them should have achieved it. In that case, not only would the Ummah have remained inferior and imperfect and like the blind, but also the spiritual grace of the Holy. Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would have been deemed imperfect and tainted, and the prayer that the Muslims had been taught to repeat in their five daily prayers, would have proved purposeless. On the other hand, if this rank had been bestowed upon a. Muslim directly and not through his following the light of the Prophethood of Muḥammad, the significance of the Seal of Prophethood would have been obscured. . Therefore, in order to safeguard the Muslims against both these contingencies, God Almighty bestowed the honour of perfect, complete and holy converse with Himself upon some individuals from among the Muslims who had arrived at the climax of devotion to the Holy Prophetsa. No intervening barrier remained and they illustrated in their person the meaning of being followers of the. Holy Prophets in the true sense of the word, so much so that their own being gave place to the reflection of the. Holy Prophets in the mirror of their devotion, and they were bestowed complete and perfect converse with God. . In this way, some individuals from among the Muslims were bestowed the title of Prophet, for such a. Prophethood is not distinct from the Prophethood of. Al-e-Imran, 3:111 [Publisher] 114 'Guide us in the right path-The path of those upon whom Thou has bestowed Thy favours. '-Al-Fātiḥah, 1:6-7 [Publisher]