The view of prophethood in Imam Maturidi's Kitab al-Tawhid

The issue of prophethood is one of the most significant theological topics after belief in God. This is because prophethood is the office of messengerhood that facilitates communication between God and humankind. A prophet is a chosen individual tasked with conveying the divine messages, commands, and prohibitions received through revelation from God to people, inviting them to the true religion. Therefore, a proper understanding of prophethood ensures a happy life both in this world and the hereafter. This study examines the views on prophethood of Abu Mansûr al-Maturidi, the founder of the Maturidite school of thought, which systematized the Hanafi creed with rational and transmitted proofs and had a significant influence in the eastern regions of the Islamic world, particularly in Central Asia. The study specifically analyzes how Maturidi approaches the proof of prophethood and the necessity of prophethood within the context of rational and textual evidence, primarily based on his work Kitab al-Tawhid. Although Maturidi's views on prophethood are mainly drawn from Kitab al-Tawhid, extensive information on prophethood is also found in Ta'wilat al-Qur'an. Therefore, this study also explores how Maturidi interprets verses related to prophethood in Ta'wilat al-Qur'an and uses them as evidence for prophethood. In the introduction of the study, information is provided regarding the subject and scope of the research, its purpose and significance, relevant literature, and the research methodology. The first chapter examines Maturidi's personal and scholarly life and discusses key concepts related to prophethood. The second chapter explores Maturidi's responses to claims made by various sects regarding the proof of prophethood and how he explains the necessity of prophethood using rational and textual proofs. Furthermore, the chapter delves into the attributes of prophethood, as well as the characteristics and qualities of prophets. Finally, Maturidi's arguments derived from the Qur'an concerning the proof of Prophet Muhammad's prophethood and the concept of Khatm al-Nubuwwah (the Finality of Prophethood) are analyzed.