Prophethood

This section explains Prophethood in Islam. Risalah, or prophethood, refers to the concept of messenger-ship in Islam. It represents the various means through which Allah communicates His will and guidance to humanity. Central to Islamic belief is the idea that Allah desires for people to live righteous lives, and to aid them in this, He sends divine messages outlining how to lead such lives. Many of these messages are recorded in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe that these messages from Allah are transmitted through prophets (known as nubuwwah).

In Islam, the prophets are not objects of worship, as Muslims believe that Allah is the one true God. Instead, the prophets are deeply respected for their role as the intermediaries between Allah and humanity.

The Role of Prophets

Prophets in Islam are seen as the vital connection between Allah and the people. Allah selects these individuals to carry His divine messages, ensuring that humanity receives guidance on how to live in accordance with His will. It is taught that there have been 25 named prophets mentioned in the Qur'an, though some scholars and traditions believe there may have been as many as 124,000 prophets throughout history. These individuals were chosen by Allah to spread His messages and serve as models for good conduct.

Key Beliefs about Prophets:

• Equality Among Prophets: Muslims believe that all prophets are equal in status and importance, as Allah entrusted each one with revealing His truth. The Qur'an states:
  “We make no distinction between any of them.” (Qur'an 2:136). This highlights the universal nature of the messages conveyed by the prophets, all of whom are believed to have preached the same essential truth of submission to the one God.
• The Role of Angels (Malaikah): Prophets received their revelations directly from Allah, typically through the agency of angels (malaikah). These divine messengers delivered the words of Allah to the prophets, who then shared these messages with their people.
• Miracles as Evidence: In order to affirm their authenticity and divine appointment, the prophets performed miracles. These miracles were seen as signs from Allah that confirmed the prophets’ legitimacy and their role as messengers.
• The Holy Books: The revelations given to the prophets were recorded in sacred scriptures. These holy books are considered to be the preserved word of Allah, each containing guidance relevant to the time and people to whom it was sent. The Qur'an is regarded as the final and most complete of these scriptures, superseding previous books, such as the Torah, Psalms, and the Gospel.

The Message of the Prophets

All prophets shared the same core message: the belief in the oneness of Allah. This concept of Tawhid (the oneness of God) is central to Islam and is reflected in the teachings of every prophet. Islam teaches that Allah is eternal and unchanging, and the message of the prophets is consistent across time and space, reinforcing the idea that Islam is the true and final religion.

The Qur'an affirms this belief, stating:
“We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to all prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them: and we bow to Allah.” (Qur'an 2:136)

This verse underscores the unity of the divine message, showing that all prophets, from Ibrahim (Abraham) to Muhammad, conveyed the same fundamental truth about the worship of the one God.

Muhammad: The Final Prophet

In Islam, Prophet Muhammad is regarded as the final prophet. Muslims believe that Muhammad received the final and most complete revelation from Allah, which was preserved in the Qur'an. His prophethood is seen as the culmination of the series of messengers sent by Allah. Muhammad is not viewed as divine, but as the Seal of the Prophets, meaning that after him, there will be no further prophets. His life and teachings serve as the ultimate example for Muslims to follow.

Through his words and actions, recorded in the Hadith (the sayings and actions of Muhammad), Muslims learn how to apply the guidance of the Qur'an in daily life. Muhammad’s prophethood, like those before him, emphasizes submission to Allah, moral righteousness, and devotion to the community.

Risalah (prophethood) is a key concept in Islam, through which Allah communicates His divine guidance to humanity. The prophets are highly respected and serve as intermediaries between Allah and the people, delivering messages that outline how to live righteous lives. All prophets are regarded as equal and have preached the same core message of Tawhid—the belief in the oneness of Allah. Muhammad is the final prophet, and his teachings and the Qur'an provide the ultimate and final guidance for Muslims.