Section: The proofs of prophethood are reports that carry both promise and warning.
It should be understood that evidences fall into two categories:
- A type that merely yields knowledge of the matter indicated; and
- A type that, in addition, stirs one either to seek it or to shun it.
The first belongs to the realm of sheer information.
The second lies in the realm of exhortation, pursuit, intent, command, and prohibition. It is like someone who learns that a certain place contains inanimate objects, animals, or plants for which he has no interest—neither love nor hate. Such a person is not in the same position as one who learns that in a given place are his friend, his child, his beloved, his wealth, his family, and the people of his faith, while in another place lurk his enemy, his hater, the highwayman who would ambush him, kill him, and seize his property.
In the same way, the proofs of prophethood all attest to the Prophet’s veracity; thereafter one comes to know what the Prophet conveys—of commands and prohibitions, promises and threats—because he reports these matters from Allah and is truthful in all that he conveys. This, then, is a sound and comprehensive method.
As for establishing the prophethood of the prophets through what Allah has wrought for them and their followers—salvation, felicity, victory, a good outcome, an enduring good name—and through what He has wrought upon their deniers and opponents—destruction, punishment, and an evil end—and His causing them to be followed by