Ibn-Sina and Sohrvardi's Viewpoints on the Prophetic Mission Necessity

The concept of prophetic mission necessity is one of the most important and fundamental concepts in “general prophethood”. Ibn-Sina and Sohrvardi are among the philosophers who have dealt with this issue in their works. According to Ibn-Sina, humankind survival is dependent upon social justice establishment which in turn is reliant on irrevocable civil laws, the realization of which is achieved by a human being superior to human society, which is disclosed in prophets. As Ibn-Sina’s reasoning reveals, his interpretation of the prophetic mission necessity is mundane; however, it can be inferred from his total ideas and thoughts about other concepts that his viewpoint in this regard is comprehensive. According to him, prophets had two (a) guiding to spiritual happiness which is achieved through faith in resurrection and virtuous traits and (b) guiding to social welfare which is achieved through justice-based regulations. In the same vein, investigation into Sohrvardi’s ideas and thoughts illuminates his belief in a comprehensive interpretation of prophetic mission necessity: prophets have paid an equal attention both to this world and the hereafter.