Concept of Prophethood in Islam
By
Shais
In Islam there are six pillars of Eeman (faith)
- Belief in Oneness of God
- Belief in Prophets
- Belief in Angels
- Belief in divine books
- Belief in the hereafter
- Destiny (Qadr)
Hence the belief in the Prophets of God is compulsory for Muslims.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final messenger of God. His message is for all human beings and is till eternity. According to an authentic tradition, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) mentioned that there were 124,000 messengers sent on the face of this earth. By name there are only about 25 mentioned in the Quran.
All the Prophets that came before him, there message was limited to their people and for that time
Other prophets were only sent for their people and for that time. We find some examples mentioned in Surah Araf chapter 7.
Prophet Hud (pbuh) to People of Aad (Quran 7:65)
Prophet Noah (pbuh) only to his people (Quran
Prophet Salih (pbuh) to the people of Thamud (Quran 7:73)
Prophet Lot (pbuh) only to his people (Quran 7:80)
Prophet Shuaib (pbuh) to the people of Madyan (Quran 7:85)
Prophet Moses (pbuh) to Pharaoh and his people (Quran 7:104)
Jesus Christ (pbuh) was only sent to the Jews. The Quran says
“And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you,” (Quran 61:6)
The Bible testifies the same thing. Jesus Christ (pbuh) said
“Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of
“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of
Some people may argue that Jesus too is for the whole of humanity by quoting this verse of the Bible.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,” (Mathew 28:19)
This verse can refer to all the nations of the Jews otherwise there is a clearcut contradiction between what Jesus said. He even prevented his disciples from going to gentiles and he said in the most unambiguous terms that he had been sent to the lost sheep of the house of
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sent to the whole of human kind
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final messenger of God, his message is not only for the Arabs but it is for the whole of human kind and till eternity. The Glorious Quran says
“We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand not.” (Quran 34:28)
“We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.” (Quran 21:107)
The Holy Quran too is sent for the whole of humanity
“Here is a Message for mankind: Let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that He is (no other than) One Allah. let men of understanding take heed.” (Quran 14:52)
“Verily We have revealed the Book to thee in Truth, for (instructing) mankind. He, then, that receives guidance benefits his own soul: but he that strays injures his own soul. Nor art thou set over them to dispose of their affairs.” (Quran 39:41)
“Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong).” (Quran 2:185)
Religion of all the Prophets of God
Some people may wonder what was the religion of other Prophets of God that came before Muhammad (pbuh)?
There religion was none other than ISLAM which means submission to the will of God. It’s a common misconception among Muslims and non-Muslims alike that Islam came 1400 years ago.
Islam is there since man set foot on this earth and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is not the founder of this religion but he was the last and final messenger of God to whom was revealed the last and final revelation i.e. The Glorious Quran.
Therefore the religion of other Prophets of God too was ISLAM i.e. Submission to God’s will.
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) was a Muslim. The Quran says
“Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah.s (Which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah.” (Quran 3:67)
Jesus Christ (pbuh) was too a Muslim. The Quran says.
“When Jesus found Unbelief on their part He said: "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) Allah." Said the disciples: "We are Allah.s helpers: We believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.” (Quran 3:52)
According to the above verse the disciples said to Jesus that they were Muslims i.e. the ones submitting their wills to God, indicating that Jesus too submitted his will to God. In other words, he too was a Muslim. The bible testifies the same thing. Jesus Christ (pbuh) said.
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)
“And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Mark
If you translate “not my will but the will of God” as Jesus said in Arabic, it means nothing But Islam. Jesus Christ (pbuh) was a Muslim! He NEVER claimed to be a Christian. The first time the word Christian was used was by the Jew at
So we conclude, that the religion of all the Prophets of God was none other than Islam i.e. submission to God’s will.
Can Buddha, Zoroaster and Hindu Prophets like Ram, Krishna etc be considered as Prophets of God?
As far as Jesus Christ is concerned, there are many Quranic verses and many Sahih Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) which confirm him as a prophet of God, so we can surely say that Jesus Christ was a Prophet of God
As for Ram, Buddha, Zoroaster etc. there is no Quranic verse or any sahih hadith of the Prophet which confirms that these were Prophets of God. So we can say “may be they were”. We can neither confirm, nor deny. But even if they were the Prophets of God, all the Prophets sent before Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were only sent for those people and for that time. Today the only way to God is through Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the way of life he has given, Islam i.e. Submission to the will of God. Therefore the Holy Quran says
“The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will):” (Quran
“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah., never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good).” (Quran 3:85)
Peace be on you !
