Belief in the Prophets (Peace be upon them) of Allah (SWT) is one of the required pillars of faith. Muslims are obliged to believe in all the Prophets (Peace be upon them) because they all preached the same message and their respect is mandatory upon every Muslim. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): "Say (O Muslims): 'We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismaa’eel (Ishmael), Ishaaq (Isaac), Ya‘qoob (Jacob), and to Al-Asbaat [the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya‘qoob (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Moosa (Moses) and ‘Isa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam)'" [2:136].
Allah (SWT) chose Prophets (Peace be upon them) from among the humans; therefore, they are not divine. Their sole purpose was to convey the true message, not to convert people into religion. He (SWT) sent them to each nation, and commanded them to call them to worship Allah (SWT) alone and to explain the ways which would bring happiness in this world and in the Hereafter, and to bring glad tidings of Paradise to those who believed and the warning of Hell to those who disbelieved (interpretation of the meaning): "And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): 'Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taaghoot (all false deities, i.e. do not worship Taaghoot besides Allah).' Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified" [16:36].
Prophets (Peace be upon them) were chosen by Allah (SWT) to be an example to their nations. He (SWT) taught the Prophets (Peace be upon them), guided them and honoured them with the His true message. He protected them from falling into sin and supported them with miracles clear message as guidance for mankind. Hence, they are the most perfect of humanity both physically and in their attitude, the best of them in knowledge, the most truthful in speech, the most exemplary in the life they lived and infallible in regard to delivering the true message of Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning):
"He said: 'O my people! see ye whether I have a Clear (Sign) from my Lord, and He hath given me sustenance (pure and) good as from Himself? I wish not, in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to do. I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in my task) can only come from Allah. In Him I trust, and unto Him I look.'" [11:88]
"And We made them leaders, guiding (mankind) by Our Command, and We revealed to them the doing of good deeds, performing Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), and the giving of Zakaah and of Us (Alone) they were the worshippers." [ 21:73]
"We sent aforetime our apostles with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice; and We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help, Unseen, Him and His apostles: For Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might (and able to enforce His Will)." [57:25]
Because the Prophets and Messengers reached such a high status of obedience and good character, Allah (SWT) has commanded us to take them as an example. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): "They are those whom Allah had guided. So follow their guidance" [6:90]. Allah (SWT) preferred some of the Prophets and Messengers over others as Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): Those apostles We endowed with gifts, some above others: To one of them Allah spoke; others He raised to degrees (of honour) [2:253]. The best of them are the "Messengers of strong will" who are Nooh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abrham), Moosa (Moses), ‘Eesa (Jesus) and Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon them all).
The best of the Messengers of strong will is Muhammad (SAW). All of the characteristics of the Prophets and Messengers were combined in our Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and Allah (SWT) honoured him by instilling in him the noblest characteristics. Therefore Allah stated that his example is to be followed in all situations: "Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much" [33:21]. As it has been mentioned before, for each Prophet was sent only to his own people, until Allah (SWT) sent Muhammad (SAW) to all of mankind. He is the last and the best of the Prophets and Messengers, as Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things" [33:40].
"And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not" [34:28]
Allah (SWT) sent many Prophets and Messengers and only He (SWT) knows the exact number. There is no authentic Islamic text that proves otherwise. Twenty five of the Prophets (Peace be upon them) were named in the Qur’an. They are: Aadam, Idrees, Nooh, Hood, Salih, Ibrahim, Loot, Isma’eel, Ishaq, Ya’qoob, Yoosuf, Shu’ayb, Ayyoob, Dhu’l-Kifl, Moosa, Haaroon, Dawood, Sulayman, Ilyas, al-Yasa’, Yoonus, Zakariyya, Yahya, ‘Eesa and Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon them all).
wallahu a'lam (and Allah knows best)
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