IIUM MALAYSIA : Islamic Aqidah subject

1. THE CONCEPT OF PROPHETHOOD INTHE 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 statusIn 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 meansProphethood or nubuwwah refers to God’s primary means
of communicating with humankind, involving a long andof communicating with humankind, involving a long and
continuous chain of Revelation. (Encyclopedia of Religion).continuous chain of Revelation. (Encyclopedia of Religion).

2.  In Arabic, Rasul (messenger) means one who is sent aIn Arabic, Rasul (messenger) means one who is sent a
message (revelation).message (revelation).
 The term nabi (prophet) is a manThe 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 whomAccording 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, whoTechnically, both refers to a man chosen by God, who
received message by the means of divine Revelation, and toreceived message by the means of divine Revelation, and to
deliver it to a particular community or to all mankind (todeliver it to a particular community or to all mankind (to
Prophet Muhammad). Refer to 16: 36.Prophet Muhammad). Refer to 16: 36.

3. 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 notAll messengers are prophets but all prophets are not
necessarily messengers.necessarily messengers.
 Prophets did not necessarily preach others. They supposedProphets 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 hadMessengers are referred to whom a special mission had
been entrusted. They supposed to preach the Revelation tobeen entrusted. They supposed to preach the Revelation to
all people sent down to them. They received the Revelationall people sent down to them. They received the Revelation
through an angel.through an angel.
Importance of the ProphetsImportance of the Prophets
 Prophets are divine agents, the transmitters of the guidanceProphets are divine agents, the transmitters of the guidance
that Allah has promised to Adam and his descendents. Referthat Allah has promised to Adam and his descendents. Refer
to 2: 38.to 2: 38.
 Prophets taught man knowledge of Allah, His names andProphets taught man knowledge of Allah, His names and
attributes. Without them, man would never know Allah orattributes. Without them, man would never know Allah or
say anything right and proper about Allah.say anything right and proper about Allah.

4.  Through the prophets man has been able to gain an insightThrough the prophets man has been able to gain an insight
into creation. Thus, man finds out and knows the meaninginto creation. Thus, man finds out and knows the meaning
of it.of it.
 Prophets are the models for mankind (Q 60: 6). TheProphets are the models for mankind (Q 60: 6). The
prophets distinguish themselves in the human society byprophets distinguish themselves in the human society by
their special aptitudes, natural bents of mind and pioustheir special aptitudes, natural bents of mind and pious
and meaningful living.and meaningful living.
 Their nature and disposition are so good and pure. In allTheir 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 toTo 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.

5.  The number of the prophets is not specified by theThe number of the prophets is not specified by the
Qur’an.Qur’an.
 The famous one reported that we have 124,000 prophetsThe famous one reported that we have 124,000 prophets
and 313 messengers.and 313 messengers.
 The Qur’an stated 25 messengers who are compulsory toThe Qur’an stated 25 messengers who are compulsory to
be believed in. Among them, there are the 5 greatestbe 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 strongUlul azmi’ means those who have a very strong
determination in spreading the message of Islam. Theydetermination in spreading the message of Islam. They
were given this honor due to the hardship and a lot ofwere 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 possessedProphets were human being, but the ones who possessed
excellent moral conduct which later become a model toexcellent moral conduct which later become a model to
people. Refer to 17: 94.people. Refer to 17: 94.

6. 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 proveHe is supported by miracles (extraordinary acts) to prove
that he is not imposter. He performed them by God’sthat he is not imposter. He performed them by God’s
permission to demonstrate the faithfulness of theirpermission to demonstrate the faithfulness of their
prophethood.prophethood.
 He affirms that the message is from Allah, not from hisHe affirms that the message is from Allah, not from his
own ideas.own ideas.
 The concept of belief in prophethood means belief in andThe 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 amongAll prophets were Muslims; no discrimination among
them. Their teachings are complimentary to each other.them. Their teachings are complimentary to each other.

7. Characteristics of the Risalah/ message of ProphetCharacteristics 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 toFor the characters of the Prophet refer to
http://www.theprophetmuhammad.org/life.htmlhttp://www.theprophetmuhammad.org/life.html