(A) The Principle Of Instruction
Thepurposeofsendingtheprophetswastoeducatehumanity;andwe
know that in education,the teacher's behaviouris a more effective in-
strument than his speech and verbal instructions.
The character and actions of the teacher can bring about a radical
transformationinman,because,onthebasisoftheprincipleofimitation,
mangradually adoptsthe manner andconductof his teacher, andbe-
comesofthesamecoloursothatitisasifheistheclear,limpidsurface
of a pool which reflects the image of the sky above him.
Speechalone cannotplay the part of instruction,rather itserves in-
struction, and this is the idea of the prophetic mission, that prophets
must possesspraiseworthy habits and qualitiesand be untainted with
sinanderrorsothattheycaneffectivelyattractthepeopleofthisworld
towards the sacred aim.
Itisclearthatonewhohassoiledhishandswithsin,eventhoughin
secretandwithoutanyonebeingaware,willneverhavethatunwavering
strengthofmindandspirittobringaboutaradicaltransformationinthe
areaofthehumanspirit.Forexample,apersonwhotaintshislipswith
winecan neverdissuadeothersfromdrinkingit,andraisethe voiceof
truth and mobilise his iron will in combating this act.
Thesecretofthe prophets'successintheirmissionwasthecoordina-
tion in their words anddeeds, anditis this moralstrength which en-
abledthemtotransformthefundamentalsofhumanthoughtsandlead
societies towards perfection.