THE CONCEPT OF PROPHETHOOD IN THE CONCEPT OF PROPHETHOOD IN ISLAMISLAM

Prophethood is an essential need for people.Prophethood is an essential need for people. In Islam, prophethood has been given such a special status In Islam, prophethood has been given such a special status and significance, and it gives a great impact on man’s life. and significance, and it gives a great impact on man’s life. The position of the prophets cannot be acquired by effort, The position of the prophets cannot be acquired by effort, spiritual exercise or religious meditation. spiritual exercise or religious meditation. Prophets were chosen by Allah.Prophets were chosen by Allah.

Definition of Prophethood in IslamDefinition of Prophethood in Islam Prophethood or nubuwwah refers to God’s primary means Prophethood or nubuwwah refers to God’s primary means of communicating with humankind, involving a long and of communicating with humankind, involving a long and continuous chain of Revelation. (Encyclopedia of Religion).continuous chain of Revelation. (Encyclopedia of Religion).

In Arabic, Rasul (messenger) means one who is sent a In Arabic, Rasul (messenger) means one who is sent a message (revelation).message (revelation).

The term nabi (prophet) is a man The term nabi (prophet) is a man

- who brings news of God’s message.- who brings news of God’s message.

- or a man whom God has chosen to speak to.- or a man whom God has chosen to speak to.

- who carries information or proclaim news.- who carries information or proclaim news. According to Ibn Taymiyyah, prophet is a man to whom According to Ibn Taymiyyah, prophet is a man to whom

God sends a message or directly inspired by God. God sends a message or directly inspired by God. Technically, both refers to a man chosen by God, who Technically, both refers to a man chosen by God, who

received message by the means of divine Revelation, and to received message by the means of divine Revelation, and to deliver it to a particular community or to all mankind (to deliver it to a particular community or to all mankind (to Prophet Muhammad). Refer to 16: 36. Prophet Muhammad). Refer to 16: 36.

Differences between prophets and messengersDifferences between prophets and messengers The prophet is al nabi and the messenger is al rasul.The prophet is al nabi and the messenger is al rasul. All messengers are prophets but all prophets are not All messengers are prophets but all prophets are not

necessarily messengers.necessarily messengers. Prophets did not necessarily preach others. They supposed Prophets did not necessarily preach others. They supposed

to preach certain people who are related to them.to preach certain people who are related to them. Messengers are referred to whom a special mission had Messengers are referred to whom a special mission had

been entrusted. They supposed to preach the Revelation to been entrusted. They supposed to preach the Revelation to all people sent down to them. They received the Revelation all people sent down to them. They received the Revelation through an angel. through an angel.

Importance of the Prophets Importance of the Prophets Prophets are divine agents, the transmitters of the guidance Prophets are divine agents, the transmitters of the guidance

that Allah has promised to Adam and his descendents. Refer that Allah has promised to Adam and his descendents. Refer to 2: 38.to 2: 38.

Prophets taught man knowledge of Allah, His names and Prophets taught man knowledge of Allah, His names and attributes. Without them, man would never know Allah or attributes. Without them, man would never know Allah or say anything right and proper about Allah.say anything right and proper about Allah.

Through the prophets man has been able to gain an insight Through the prophets man has been able to gain an insight into creation. Thus, man finds out and knows the meaning into creation. Thus, man finds out and knows the meaning of it.of it.

Prophets are the models for mankind (Q 60: 6). The Prophets are the models for mankind (Q 60: 6). The prophets distinguish themselves in the human society by prophets distinguish themselves in the human society by their special aptitudes, natural bents of mind and pious their special aptitudes, natural bents of mind and pious and meaningful living.and meaningful living.

Their nature and disposition are so good and pure. In all Their nature and disposition are so good and pure. In all affairs their attitude is that of truthfulness, affairs their attitude is that of truthfulness, straightforwardness, and nobility. straightforwardness, and nobility.

The essential aspects of Prophetic teachingsThe essential aspects of Prophetic teachings

a)a) To invite mankind to accept the Oneness of God. Refer to To invite mankind to accept the Oneness of God. Refer to 21: 25.21: 25.

b)b) To fight against idol’s worshipper. Refer to 12: 37-40.To fight against idol’s worshipper. Refer to 12: 37-40.

c)c) To establish shari’ah.To establish shari’ah.

The number of the prophets is not specified by the The number of the prophets is not specified by the Qur’an.Qur’an.

The famous one reported that we have 124,000 prophets The famous one reported that we have 124,000 prophets and 313 messengers.and 313 messengers.

The Qur’an stated 25 messengers who are compulsory to The Qur’an stated 25 messengers who are compulsory to be believed in. Among them, there are the 5 greatest be believed in. Among them, there are the 5 greatest messengers who are called ‘ulul azmi’- Prophet Nuh, messengers who are called ‘ulul azmi’- Prophet Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, ‘Isa and Muhammad (p.b.u.h).Ibrahim, Musa, ‘Isa and Muhammad (p.b.u.h).

‘‘Ulul azmi’ means those who have a very strong Ulul azmi’ means those who have a very strong determination in spreading the message of Islam. They determination in spreading the message of Islam. They were given this honor due to the hardship and a lot of were given this honor due to the hardship and a lot of obstacles faced by them during their prophetic mission.obstacles faced by them during their prophetic mission.

For the nature of the prophets, refer to 12: 109 & 14: 11.For the nature of the prophets, refer to 12: 109 & 14: 11. Prophets were human being, but the ones who possessed Prophets were human being, but the ones who possessed

excellent moral conduct which later become a model to excellent moral conduct which later become a model to people. Refer to 17: 94. people. Refer to 17: 94.

Criteria of the prophet:Criteria of the prophet: He is the best in his community morally and intellectually.He is the best in his community morally and intellectually. He is supported by miracles (extraordinary acts) to prove He is supported by miracles (extraordinary acts) to prove

that he is not imposter. He performed them by God’s that he is not imposter. He performed them by God’s permission to demonstrate the faithfulness of their permission to demonstrate the faithfulness of their prophethood. prophethood.

He affirms that the message is from Allah, not from his He affirms that the message is from Allah, not from his own ideas.own ideas.

The concept of belief in prophethood means belief in and The concept of belief in prophethood means belief in and respect all the messengers of Allah with no exception.respect all the messengers of Allah with no exception.

All prophets were Muslims; no discrimination among All prophets were Muslims; no discrimination among them. Their teachings are complimentary to each other.them. Their teachings are complimentary to each other.

Characteristics of the Risalah/ message of Prophet Characteristics of the Risalah/ message of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h)Muhammad (p.b.u.h)

The risalah of the Prophet is alive and valid for all times.The risalah of the Prophet is alive and valid for all times. It is the final one.It is the final one. It is universal.It is universal. It is moralisticIt is moralistic.. For the characters of the Prophet refer to For the characters of the Prophet refer to

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