Belief in the messengers

In "The stories of the prophets", you met Nuuḥ, Ibraahiim, Yuusuf, Muusaa and others. Believing in the messengers means believing that Allah chose men to pass on His message, that they told the truth, and that we must love and respect all of them.

One message, for every people "We sent to every community a messenger: 'Worship Allah and keep away from false gods'" (meaning of verse 16:36). The practical rules could change from one prophet to another, but the faith is the same: worshipping Allah alone.

How many? The Qur'an names twenty-five of them, including Adam, Nuuḥ, Ibraahiim, Ismaa'iil, Isḥaaq, Ya'quub, Yuusuf, Muusaa, Haaruun, Daawuud, Sulaymaan, Yuunus, Zakariyyaa, Yaḥyaa, 'Iisaa and Muhammad ﷺ. There are others: "There are messengers whose stories We have told you, and others whose stories We have not told you" (meaning of verse 4:164).

Their qualities • They are human beings: they eat, sleep, marry, suffer (meaning of verse 18:110). They are not gods. • They are truthful and trustworthy, and they passed on the complete message, hiding nothing. • Allah protected them in passing on the message. [À VÉRIFIER : étendue de la protection ('iṣma) des prophètes, à formuler par l'imam] • They were tested and showed patience: mockery, exile, prison, persecution.

The five "of firm resolve" (uluu l-'azm) Nuuḥ, Ibraahiim, Muusaa, 'Iisaa and Muhammad ﷺ, mentioned together in the Qur'an (33:7; 42:13; 46:35).

'Iisaa (Jesus), a great messenger Born of Maryam without a father, by a miracle of Allah, just as Adam was created without father or mother (3:59). He is the servant and messenger of Allah, not His son. The Qur'an says he was neither killed nor crucified, but that Allah raised him up to Himself (4:157-158).

Muhammad ﷺ, the seal of the prophets "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets" (meaning of verse 33:40). He was sent to all of humanity (34:28), as a mercy to the worlds (21:107). There is no prophet after him.

Challenge: choose a prophet from the Qur'an you do not know well. Find which surah tells his story and write down one quality you want to take from him.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Why messengers? Human reason can recognise that there is a Creator, but it cannot work out on its own how to worship Him, what He loves, or what awaits us after death. The messengers bring this knowledge, and they show through their lives how to apply it: they are both teachers and role models. Scholars often distinguish the prophet (nabii), who receives revelation, from the messenger (rasuul), who also receives the mission of passing it on to a people, often with a new law; every messenger is a prophet, but not every prophet is a messenger. [À VÉRIFIER : définition retenue au centre] "We make no distinction between any of His messengers" (meaning of verse 2:285): we believe in all of them and reject none. This does not change the fact that Allah raised some above others (2:253); but we avoid comparing them in a way that belittles any of them. Loving the Prophet ﷺ is part of faith: "None of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his father, his child and all people" (Bukhari 15, Muslim 44). This love shows itself in following him (meaning of verse 3:31) and in sending prayers upon him. Common misunderstandings: thinking the prophets were supermen without emotions; believing that Muslims reject 'Iisaa or Muusaa; thinking a prophet could still come after Muhammad ﷺ.

Lessons to draw from it • The prophets were tested more than anyone: your difficulties do not mean Allah has forgotten you. • Take a prophet as a model for one specific quality: the patience of Ayyuub, the loyalty of Yuusuf, the courage of Muusaa. • Speak of all the prophets with respect, including on social media. • Send prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ often: "Whoever sends one prayer upon me, Allah sends ten upon him" (Muslim 408).

Key points to remember • One message: worship Allah alone (16:36). • Twenty-five prophets named in the Qur'an; others not named (4:164). • The five of firm resolve: Nuuḥ, Ibraahiim, Muusaa, 'Iisaa, Muhammad ﷺ. • Muhammad ﷺ: the seal of the prophets (33:40), sent to all of humanity (34:28).

The main message Believing in the messengers means recognising one great family of prophets, carrying the same message, and following the last of them, Muhammad ﷺ, with love.