The Nature of Prophethood (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

What is the Nature & Importance of Prophethood

What is the Nature of Prophethood for Muslims?

• Risalah is the Islamic word for prophethood or messengers of Allah

• It is also known as Nubuwwah

• Muslims believe that Allah is a personal God who can be directly communicated with

• Allah has chosen several messengers or prophets to communicate his teachings and teach humanity about the right way to live

• Islam teaches that there have been as many as 124,000 prophets who have taught the message of Allah throughout the world

  • The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said that it is essential to believe in every one of these prophets, teaching:

• Of these prophets 25 are named in the Qur’an

• Those prophets whose message has been written down are known as rasuls

What is the Importance of Prophethood for Muslims?

• Risalah or prophethood is one of the six Beliefs of Islam for Sunni Muslims and one of the Five Roots of ‘Usul ad-Din for Shi’a Muslims

• It represents how Allah communicates with people

• It gives important teachings which Muslims must follow in their lives

• The prophets themselves are role models for Muslims. They set an example for how to live by their own actions. 

  • Therefore Muslims often name their children after prophets and try to raise them to follow their example

• It reminds Muslims of the common bonds they share with other great world faiths, especially Judaism and Christianity

The Roles of the Prophets

• All of the prophets play an important role in setting an example to humanity about the right way to live and in communicating the message of God to others

• Muslims learn about the roles of the prophets and the messages they taught in the Qur’an, Hadith and other religious texts

• Some of the most significant prophets are:

Adam

• Adam was the first prophet and first human

• He has been called Allah’s khalifah (religious leader) and his task was to look after the world Allah had created 

  • This teaches Muslims today that they should look after the world

• The story of Adam and Hawwa (Eve) being tempted in the garden teaches Muslims to follow Allah’s commands and not allow Satan (the devil) to tempt them

Ibrahim (Abraham)

• Ibrahim is mentioned many times in the Qur’an and is considered one of the greatest prophets by Muslims

• He is called Allah’s ‘friend’ (Qur’an Surah 4:125)

• Ibrahim set an example to others by his conduct and his commitment to his faith and his family

• The story of Ibrahim having his faith tested by Allah by being willing to sacrifice his son Isma’il teaches Muslims that they should submit to Allah in their own lives

• Ibrahim was one of the prophet Muhammad’s ancestors

• Muslims believe Ibrahim’s prayer for a prophet to be born in the future was fulfilled by Muhammad’s appearance

Isma’il (Ishmael)

• Isma’il was one of Ibrahim’s sons and was also a prophet

• Muslims believe Ibrahim and Isma’il were chosen to rebuild the Ka’bah in Makkah

• Isma’il is praised for his patience and kindness, showing Muslims that they too should develop these in their lives

Musa (Moses)

• Musa (Moses) was the main founder of Judaism 

• Muslims believe that Musa was sent by Allah to the Pharaoh of Egypt and the Israelites to give them guidance and warning

• Many miracles happened during the time of Musa’s prophethood, including the parting of the seas to allow Musa and the Israelites to escape from Egypt

• Musa was given great authority: he was given the Al-Kitab (scripture) and Al-Furqan (the ability to tell right from wrong)

• Musa’s message is written in the Tawrat

• The example of Musa’s life shows Muslims that Allah rewards those who persevere in the face of difficulties and suffering

Dawud (David)

• Dawud (David) was one of the messengers of Isra’il, famous for his wisdom, prayers and fasting. 

• Many of Musa and Dawud’s prayers are still regularly recited by Muslims today

• Dawud is also remembered for his victory over the oppression of Jalut (Goliath) after which he was made king of the Israelites

Isa (Jesus)

• Although Muslims do not see Isa (Jesus) as divine in the same way that Christians do, and do not believe in his resurrection from the dead, he is recognised as one of the most honoured prophets of Allah

• The Injil (gospels) were revealed to Isa

  • This was one of the most important revelations before the Qur’an

• Many of Isa’s miracles are described in the Qur’an, including his birth which did not involve having a biological father

• He is said to have brought the dead back to life (Qur’an Surah 3:49) although many Muslims think these stories have a symbolic meaning rather than being historically true

Muhammad (pbuh)

• Muhammad (pbuh) is the principal prophet sent by Allah

• Muslims call him ‘the Seal of the Prophets’ (Qur’an Surah 33:40) which means that he was the final prophet to bring a revealed scripture from Allah: the Qur’an

• It also means that he contained the qualities of all the previous messengers

• He was the prophet that all the previous prophets paved the way for

• Muslims believe that Muhammad (pbuh) was the only prophet given a universal message from Allah to last for all time

• In the Qur’an Muhammad (pbuh) is described as a ‘light’ 

• Muslims are taught from childhood that they should follow the example set by Muhammad (pbuh). They will offer prayers for him because of his honoured status