Why Messengers?

Human beings are all endowed, albeit to different extents, with instincts and organic needs, which drive them to perform certain actions. For example, of the instincts, the sanctification instinct causes people to revere and worship, the survival instinct causes them to seek to increase their wealth and secure their lives, the procreation instinct urges them to have sexual relationships with others. Similarly, among the organic needs, are the need to eat, drink, breathe etc.

All of the instincts and organic needs must be fulfilled. If they are not, it will lead to misery in respect of instincts, and death in respect of needs.

However, if human beings are left to their own devices, they use their own minds to direct their actions and can thus fulfil their instincts exactly as they please. But their minds are limited in ability, prone to error and subject to selfishness and prejudice. Without guidance, the satisfaction of the instincts and organic needs may thus be in a way that is helpful to others or equally, harmful to others. Such a state of affairs is a recipe for disaster and complete corruption on the earth. Unless the instincts of people are regulated by some kind of guidelines, the society will continue to be plagued by evils of the like we see around us today, such as ritual child abuse as a type of worship, theft and exploitation as a means of increasing wealth, and homosexuality or adultery as a means of fulfilling the sexual urge etc.

Without guidance from the Creator, mankind has no option but to fall into this predicament. Clearly then, there is a need for such guidance, to come as a way out for all the people, and thereby a need for messengers, to convey this guidance to mankind from the Creator.

Indeed, messengers have been sent to mankind since the beginning of human history, carrying this guidance and imploring people to recognise the nature of their existence and to understand the reality and purpose of their lives. Allah (swt) says:

"And verily We have sent among every nation a Messenger (proclaiming) ‘Worship Allah alone, and avoid evil’" [EMQ 16:36]

The last of these Messengers was the Messenger Muhammad (saw) and with his guidance, came the clarification of not only the truth of God’s existence, but also the code of conduct for humanity to achieve justice and prosperity in both this life and the next.