The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 165
Prophethood in Islam 165 'O Allah, guide us along the straight path, the path of those servants upon whom Thou has bestowed Thy fa- vours. . . . ' Not only has He taught this prayer, but has also promised in another verse: جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا 138 وَالَّذِينَ 'Those who strive in Our path-which is the right path- We will surely guide them along Our ways. ' It is clear that the ways of God Almighty are those that have been disclosed to the Prophets. [Shahadat-ul-Qur'an, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 6, pp. 339-352] Divine Promise of Khilafat There are other verses which also indicate that it is God's design that spiritual teachers, who are the heirs of the Prophets, should always continue to be available. For in- stance: وَعَدَ اللهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّلِحَتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ 139 وَلَا يَزَالُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا تُصِيبُهُمْ بِمَا صَنَعُوا قَارِعَةً أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِنْ دارِهِمْ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ وَعْدُ اللهِ، إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ 140 وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًا 141 Meaning: 'O True believers among the followers of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Allah has promised those among you who believe and act 137 Al-Fatihah, 1:6-7 [Publisher] 138 Al-'Ankabūt, 29:70 [Publisher] 139 Al-Nūr, 24:56 [Publisher] 140 Al-Ra'd, 13:32 [Publisher] 141 Bani Isrā'īl, 17:16 [Publisher]