خاتمیت از منظر متفکران معاصر

Abstract

Finality of prophethood is among the fundamental components of Islam, according to which the Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) is the last of the prophets and Islam is the last of the revealed religions. The principle of finality is regarded as one of the self-evident premises of Islam among the Muslims. One of the effective factors in the finality of prophethood is human beings’ intellectual and social maturity, which is noted in the viewpoints of such thinkers as ‘Allāma Iqbāl, Ustād Muṭahharī, and Dr. Surūsh. In the present article, besides explaining the foundations and pivots of each theory and the criticisms leveled against them, there will be a brief reference to the status of belief in Imamate and each theory and its consistency or inconsistency with the above- mentioned thinkers in respect to finality. In conclusion, it will be emphasized that whatever the criterion and basis for finality is, it does not mean total freedom from need for a divine leader. In other words, finality in fact means the finality of prophethood and new revelation, rather than meaning the finality and seal of any type of divine leadership and authority. Therefore, whatever degree of intellectual and rational maturity that man may achieve, he would still be in need of guardianship (wilāyat) and leadership by the Infallible Imam (A.S.) Keyword: finality, religion, guardianship, Imamate, prophethood, intellect, Revelation.