6-THE CONCEPT OF PROPHETHOOD AND IMAMATE İN EBÜL-MUÎN EN-NESEFÎ

THE CONCEPT OF PROPHETHOOD AND IMAMATE İN EBÜL-MUÎN EN-NESEFÎ

Abstract

The concepts of Prophethood and Imamate are among the most important concepts in the Islamic world. Due to their significance, both concepts are discussed in the works of scholars in the History of Islamic Sects as well as in theological writings. One of the scholars who addresses these concepts in his works is Abu’l-Mu'in al-Nasafi, regarded as the second founder of the Maturidi school. What makes Prophethood and Imamate significant in the Islamic world is, of course, that the institution of Prophethood is a topic of secondary importance after the existence of Allah, while the office of Imamate is an elite position responsible for governing the Islamic state after the Prophet Muhammad. Indeed, when viewed from the perspective of Prophethood, it is a known fact that in all Abrahamic religions, the bond between Allah and created beings is established through Prophethood. Through Prophethood, humans come into contact with religion, are addressed by divine commands, and divine prohibitions are conveyed through this institution. Accordingly, the only divine institution that regulates the relationship between Allah and humans even the jinn is the office of Prophethood. This is because the first introducers of the divine religions sent by Allah to humanity are the prophets, who hold the office of Prophethood. The only source of the true religions is revelation and Prophethood. The importance of the office of Imamate, which will take over the governance of the Islamic state, lies in the fact that, on the one hand, it is the successor to the Prophet Muhammad, and on the other hand, it is the highest and most significant human position in terms of worldly authority. From this perspective, it is highly likely that the immediate election of a caliph by the Muslims after the death of the Prophet Muhammad even before his body was buried was motivated by several reasons, with the thought that many people would vie for this position. Indeed, leading figures such as Abu Bakr, Umar, and Mughira b. Shu’ba understood this situation very well and, in order to prevent chaos, quickly elected Abu Bakr as the caliph. Because, in the view of both Muslims and non-Muslims, there is no other worldly position as attractive and appealing as the position of the head of state. Later, even before the generation of the Companions came to an end, it would not be wrong to say that the disputes over the Imamate among the Muslims stemmed from this very thought. The debates over the Imamate became so intense that other disputes in the Muslim community were overshadowed. In this study, the works of Nasafi, namely Tebsirat al-Adilla, Bahru’l-Kelam, and et-Temhid fi Usul al-Din, are used as primary sources, along with a review of other relevant literature, including contemporary works on Prophethood and Imamate. This article consists of an introduction, two main sections, and a conclusion. In the introduction, the place of Prophethood and Imamate in the Islamic belief system is discussed, with an analysis of the concepts of Prophethood and Imamate and their general place in Islamic belief. The first section focuses on Nasafi’s conception of Prophethood, the necessity of Prophethood, and the duties of the prophets. The second section examines Nasafi’s conception of Imamate, the necessity of Imamate/state leadership, and the duties of the Imam/state leader. The conclusion offers a comparison of Nasafi’s understanding of Prophethood and Imamate.