Why Is the Existence of the Most Perfect Example Essential for Us to Achieve Monotheism?
In order to understand the relationship between monotheism and the most perfect example and how they both relate to the purpose of human creation, we need to review some previous lessons. We stated that human existence has five dimensions including the inanimate, vegetative, animal, intellective, and the super-rational or human dimensions. Our human dimension is the Divine Spirit that Allah breathed into us [1]. Since we have this dimension, we love the Absolute and Infinite Perfection, that is, Allah. Therefore, it is logical and clear that we can only find lasting inner peace and happiness by getting close to and becoming like God as our True and Main Beloved.
Allah created this magnificent universe to honor us and made us His deputy on earth. In fact, the purpose of our creation is to become like God and acquire His names and attributes. The more a person strives to acquire God’s attributes, the higher his status and bliss, both in this world and the next. However, the crucial point is that Allah is the Absolute and Infinite Perfection, and He does not have material essence to be understood. So how can we know God and become like Him? To find the answer to this question, we must return to the beginning of creation when God created of the most perfect example.
The Beginning of Creation and the Creation of the Most Perfect Example
There is only one existence in the universe which is the Absolute and Infinite Existence, i.e., Allah. That is, Allah is eternal and pre-eternal; nothing brought Him into existence, and He is self-sufficient. Naturally, comprehending the attributes of such an existence is not possible for us who are confined to the limited world of matter. Therefore, God must manifest Himself with all His names and attributes in a being that we can understand. This manifestation has taken place in the perfect human being.
In the Arc of Descent, in His first manifestation, Allah created a truth that is identical to Him in terms of names and attributes which is, in fact, the manifestation of all His names of beauty [2], majesty and power [3], as well as His greatest name [4]. Then, He created other realms and beings from this first creation. This primary truth, also known as the most perfect example or the Muhammadan Truth [5] is the same as the perfect human being, that is, the Prophet (Peace be upon him and his family) and the Infallibles (Peace be upon them). Of course, each of God’s names has a manifestation, and God can be seen in all beings, including the sea, mountains, trees, flowers, and so on. However, the manifestation of God’s greatest name, which encompasses all His attributes, is the most perfect example and the perfect human being. Other created beings manifest a limited number of God’s names, reflecting only a part of His attributes. Therefore, the Infallibles (Peace be upon them) are the most perfect manifestations of Allah. The Infallibles are the highest manifestation of monotheism; therefore, knowing them is actually knowing God, and whoever is similar to them is similar to Allah.
Taking the Infallibles as Role Models: The Only Way to Bliss
It is impossible to achieve the purpose of creation without knowing, obeying, and taking the Infallibles (Peace be upon them) as our role models. We have two types of relationships with the Infallibles (Peace be upon them) as the highest manifestations of Allah and the most perfect example of Him: a true relationship and a rightful relationship.Our true relationship with them stems from the fact that the truth of our existence, or our soul, is the same as the Muhammadan Truth or the light of their existence. Our parents were the means of our physical birth, but our soul, which is our truth and the eternal aspect of our being, has the same essence as the Infallibles (Peace be upon them), and actually, they are our true parents.The other relationship we have with the Infallibles (Peace be upon them) is due to their position as Imams and leaders. The Infallibles (Peace be upon them) are God’s proof on earth and our sole guides to the purpose of creation and eternal bliss. Only by obeying them can we acquire the position of Allah’s deputy on earth.
Consulting an infallible expert and benefiting from his knowledge in all aspects of life is a natural and logical matter. Given our true and rightful relationship with the Infallibles (Peace be upon them) and their crucial role in our eternal bliss, it is the height of folly and recklessness to follow ignorant people who have no knowledge of the universe and the human being instead of the Infallibles (Peace be upon them). Rejecting the perfect human being is to deny one’s own wisdom and fitrah. That is why Hell is the residence of the foolish, because on the Day of Judgment, people of Hell will curse their folly, crying out, “If only we had followed the way of the Messenger of God in the world” [6].
However, it is crucial to remember that self-knowledge is the first and most important step on this path. How can someone who does not know himself truly understand the purpose of his creation and the path to achieving it, or navigate that journey properly? We cannot expect someone who does not know his truth, where he came from, where he is, or where he will go to know the path to eternal bliss. If we do not know our truth – the supra-rational or spiritual dimension of our existence – we do not define ourselves a human being, and the declaration of monotheism, “There is no deity but Allah,” becomes meaningless to us. As a result, we will always be preoccupied with inanimate, vegetative, animal, and intellective beloveds and perfections, without striving to get closer to God and acquire divine attributes. Undoubtedly, under these circumstances, we see no reason and need to establish relationship with the perfect human being.
In this lesson, we discussed that the most perfect example or Muhammadan Truth is the first manifestation and creation of Allah; it is the very light of the Prophet (Peace be upon him and his family) and his household (Peace be upon them). This perfect manifestation of God has all His names and attributes and has no difference from God except that God is self-existent and He is dependent on God. Since the purpose of our creation is to become similar to God, and it is impossible to know God’s attributes because of His infinite essence, we need the Infallibles (Peace be upon them), who are the perfect manifestations of God, to achieve the purpose of our creation. We must follow them on our journey towards Allah and eternity and adopt their lifestyle.
In your opinion, how far does our current way of life deviate from the example of the Infallibles (Peace be upon them)? What steps can we take to bridge this gap?
References
[1]. Quran, 38:72
[2]. asma’ al-jamal
[3]. asma’ al-jalal
[4]. ism aa’z’am
[5]. al-haqiqat al-Muhammadiyyah
[6]. Quran, 25:27