as the philosophers maintain that prophethood can indeed be acquired. They claim that whoever perseveres in mystical contemplation after perfecting both his outward and inward states through discipline and spiritual exercise will have the mirror of his inner self polished, the eye of his intellect opened, and abilities prepared for him that others do not possess.

In the philosophers’ view, prophethood is marked by three characteristics:

1. An intellectual power whereby one attains knowledge without study, purely through innate force.
2. An imaginative faculty by which he pictures within himself luminous forms that address him, and he hears their speech.
3. A power to influence people, which they call exercising control over the primal matter of the world.

According to them, these traits are attainable through effort. For that reason some among the Sufis actually sought prophethood, treating it as just another craft. This notion, however, is false, and it is rebutted by Allah’s words: “They said, ‘We will never believe until we are given what was given to the messengers of Allah.’ Allah knows best where to place His message” ⦗1⦘, and by His words: “Allah chooses messengers from among the angels and from among the people” ⦗2⦘.

Thus prophethood is a divine election, granted by Allah in accordance with His wisdom and His knowledge of who is suited for it; it is not something a servant can earn. True, the prophets—peace be upon them—were distinguished by virtues that set them above others, but not in the way claimed by those errant philosophers.