Concept Of Prophet Hood In Quran_02

Concept of Prophet Hood in Quran A Lecture Presented to a group of Non Muslims During Ramadan 1430 H

‫ و الصلة و السلم على محمد و آله‬- َ‫بسم ال الرحمن الرحيم الْحَمْدُ لِّ رَبّ الْعَالَمِين‬ ‫ أما بعد‬- ‫و أصحابه أجمعين‬ In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, All Praise be to Allah, Creator and Sustainer of this Universe . And May His Peace and Blessings be to His Messenger Mohammad and his family and Companions, Afterwards,

Arrangement of Presentation

A. Need of Divine Guidance & Scope B. How Divine Guidance is Provided C. Qualities of Prophets D. Duties of Prophets. E. Common Messages of all prophets F. Prophets and Miracles G. How people treated their prophets. H. The Last Prophet

A. Need for Divine Guidance in Human lives

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Is there really a need of Divine Guidance into Human Lives? What is the scope of this Divine Guidance?

We will discuss these points before proceeding to our main topic.

A. (Contd.)

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Human beings need guidance on understanding the secrets of this Universe (material and physical sciences) Human beings also need guidance in understanding their Creator and what are His likes and His dislikes and what is the purpose of human life on this earth (Spiritual Matters)

Divine Guidance for Physical Sciences

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The growth of Physical Science has been gradual and with time. There is no urgent need for divine guidance directly in these fields as success of humans and their civilization is not based on the level of scientific progress.

That is why there is not too much direct divine guidance in these matters.

Need for Guidance in Spiritual matters ((Knowing our Creator and His likes and Dislikes

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This is a field where humans really need divine guidance, because if they are left to themselves, it is very difficult for them to find it. Then these matters do not change with time. That is why Divine Guidance thru out the ages has been provided for spiritual matters. If Human life is a test, then it is very important that humans should be educated about the test and what they will be asked. Other wise it would be like taking exams without teaching in the class

Divine Guidance((Confirmation

Verily We take upon ourselves to Guide (92:12) And unto God leads straight the way but there are ways that turn aside (16:9)

‫ن عَلَيْنَا لَ ْلهُدَى‬ ّ ‫ِإ‬ ِ‫َوعَلَى الِّ قَصْدُ السّبِيل‬ ٌ‫َومِ ْنهَا جَائِر‬

B. Methods of providing guidance

There can be two methods for providing guidance: 1. Provide direct guidance to each and every human (It looks interesting, but it is not workable in a social environment). 2 Provide guidance by sending a Working Model (This is more practical and easier)  That is the model which is selected by our Creator and these models are known as prophets. We will discuss in some details about the prophets. 

C1. Qualities of Prophets ((All prophets were Humans Their Apostles said to them: “We are humans like yourselves..” 14:11

‫حنُ ِإ ّل‬ ْ َ‫قَالَتْ َلهُمْ رُسُُلهُمْ ِإنْ ن‬ ‫بَشَرٌ ِمثْلُكُمْ وَلَ ِكنّ الَّ يَ ُمنّ عَلَى‬ ِ‫عبَادِه‬ ِ ْ‫َمنْ يَشَاءُ ِمن‬

And before you also the Apostles We (sent were but men ( 16-43

ً‫وَمَا أَرْسَ ْلنَا ِمنْ َقبْ ِلكَ ِإلّ رِجَال‬ ْ‫نُوحِي إَِل ْيهِم‬

And before you also the Apostles We (sent were but men (21:7

ً‫وَمَا أَرْسَ ْلنَا َقبْ َلكَ ِإلّ رِجَال‬ ْ‫نُوحِي إَِل ْيهِم‬

And they say “What sort of an Apostle is this, who eats food and (walks thru the street…(25:7

ُ‫وَقَالُوا مَالِ هَذَا الرّسُولِ يَأْكُل‬ ِ‫سوَاق‬ ْ َ‫الطّعَامَ َويَمْشِي فِي ال‬

C1. ((.Contd

We did send prophets before you ْ‫سلً ِمن‬ ُ ُ‫وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا ر‬ and appointed for them wives and ً‫قَبْ ِلكَ وَجَعَلْنَا َلهُمْ أَ ْزوَاجا‬ (children… (13:38 ً‫وَذُرّ ّية‬ ?Why Angels are not sent as Prophets ِ‫ُقلْ َلوْ كَانَ فِي الَرْض‬ َ‫مَلئِكَةٌ َيمْشُون‬ Say if there were settled on earth” ْ‫طمَئِنّينَ لَنَزّلْنَا عَلَيْهِم‬ ْ ُ‫م‬ angels walking about in peace ً‫سمَاءِ مَلَكاً رَسُول‬ ّ ‫ِمنْ ال‬ and quite, We should certainly have sent them down from the heavens an Angel for a prophet ((17:95

C2. Qualities of Prophets (( Picked up by God 

No one can become prophet by his own efforts: God knows best, where (and by whom) to carry (out His mission (6:124

ُ ْ‫الُّ أَعْلَمُ حَي‬ ‫ث‬ ُ‫يَجْ َعلُ رِسَالَ َته‬

C3. Qualities of Prophets(Picked up from the (same people and speak the same language

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Prophets are no stranger to their people, they are born and brought up with their people and speak their language

We sent not a prophet except to teach in the language of his (own people… (14:4 What! (a book) not in Arabic and a messenger an Arab?... ((41:44

ْ ِ‫وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا م‬ ‫ن‬ ِ‫رَسُولٍ إِلّ بِ ِلسَان‬ ْ‫َق ْومِهِ لِيُبَيّنَ َلهُم‬ ّ‫جمِيّ َوعَرَبِي‬ َ ْ‫أََأع‬

C4. Qualities of Prophets ((Sent to every nation and to every people To Every people was sent a (Prophet (10:47

ٌ‫َولِ ُكلّ أُمّةٍ رَسُول‬

For We assuredly sent amongst (every people a messenger (16:36

ً‫وَلَقَدْ َب َع ْثنَا فِي ُكلّ أُمّةٍ رَسُول‬

And to every people (was sent) a (guide (13:7

ٍ‫ِإنّمَا َأنْتَ مُنذِرٌ َو ِل ُكلّ َق ْومٍ هَاد‬

And there never was a people without a Warner having lived (amongst them (35:24

‫ِإنّا أَرْسَ ْلنَاكَ بِالْحَقّ بَشِيرًا‬ ‫َونَذِيراً وَإِنْ مِنْ أُمّةٍ إِلّ خل‬ ٌ‫فِيهَا نَذِير‬

C5. Qualities of Prophets ((People of Highest Moral Character

No prophet could ever be false to (his trust (3:161 A whole life time before this have I lived amongst you: will you not (then understand (10:16

ّ‫وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِيّ َأنْ يَغُل‬

ْ‫عمُراً ِمن‬ ُ ‫فَقَدْ لَبِثْتُ فِيكُ ْم‬ َ‫قَبْ ِلهِ َأفَل تَعْقِلُون‬

?D1. Why prophets are sent We sent the prophets only to give (good news and to warn ( 6:48

ّ‫سلِينَ إِل‬ َ ْ‫سلُ الْمُر‬ ِ ْ‫وَمَا نُر‬ َ‫ُمبَشّرِين‬

َ‫ذَلِكَ أَنْ َلمْ َيكُنْ َربّك‬ The prophets were sent) for your) ‫ُم ْهلِكَ الْقُرَى بِظُ ْلمٍ وَأَ ْهُلهَا‬ Lord would not destroy for their َ‫غَافِلُون‬ wrong doing men’s inhabitations whilst their occupants were unwarned ((6:131 ‫س ْلنَا مُوسَى‬ َ ْ‫َولَقَدْ أَر‬ We sent Moses with Our signs to َ َ‫بِآيَا ِتنَا أَنْ أَخْرِجْ َقوْم‬ ‫ك‬ “Bring out your people from darkness ِ‫مِنْ الظّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النّور‬ (to light..” (14:4 ِّ‫َوذَكّرْهُمْ ِب َأيّامِ ال‬

D2. Duties of Prophets

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Rehearse the Revelation received from God Explain its meanings to people. Sanctify his followers. Present themselves as working models for their followers. Establish the Way of God Judge between people as per God’s laws. To give witness against their people on last day. To give accounts of their response from people

E1. Prophets: They form a continuous line, they are one brotherhood

And verily this Brotherhood (of prophets) is one Brotherhood and I am your Lord: therefore fear me (and no other (23:52

ً‫وَإِنّ هَذِهِ ُأمّتُكُمْ أُ ّمة‬ ْ‫وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبّكُم‬ ِ‫فَاتّقُون‬

E2. What was the Fundamental teachings of all Prophet’s message

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Worship only one True God Make no Partners in His Worship. Fear only True God and no one else. Follow me (i.e. follow my teachings)

?E3. How many prophets were sent

And those who (came) after.. them? None knows them except (but God (14:9 We did aforetime send prophets before you, of them there are some whose stories we have related to you and some whose story We (have not related to you (40:78

ْ‫أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَبَأُ الّذِينَ ِمن‬ ٍ‫قَبْلِكُمْ َقوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَاد‬ ْ‫وَثَمُودَ وَالّذِينَ ِمنْ بَعْ ِدهِم‬ ُّ‫ل يَعْ َل ُمهُمْ ِإلّ ال‬ ْ ‫سلً ِم‬ ‫ن‬ ُ ‫وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا ُر‬ ‫قَبْ ِلكَ مِ ْنهُمْ َمنْ قَصَصْنَا‬ ْ‫عَلَ ْيكَ وَمِنْهُمْ َمنْ لَم‬ َ‫نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْك‬

E4. How Many Prophets Quran mentions by :name

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Quran mentions 25 prophets by name and these are: Adam, Noah, Enoch, HOOD, Saleh Abraham, Lot, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, SHOAIB Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisa, Zachariah, Jonah, Job, John the Baptist, Jesus and finally Mohammad the Last prophet

E5. Why Quran mentions only Jewish and ?Arabian Prophets

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Because the message first came to Arabs and they had to understand it fully. If Quran had mentioned names of prophets whom they had never heard the message would not have been clear to them. Because Jews, Christians and Arabs did have some concept of human prophets, while in other nations the concept of prophet hood was not very clear and they had gone for concept of Incarnation, i.e. God taking human form Allah knows Best

F1. Prophets and Miracles

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The real sign of a prophet is in his message and his upright and unselfish character, but to convince common people God some times gives prophet Miracles as a proof that they are from God. These Miracles are special acts which these prophets show to people. The miracles are not by prophets own authority but only by permission of God. No prophet can show any Miracle unless God permits it.

F2. Prophets and Miracles: Miracles are in the hands of God It is not for us to bring you an authority except as God (permits (14:11 Say “The signs are indeed with God and I am indeed a (Clear Warner (29:50 Say “God has certainly power (to send down a sign” (6:37

ْ‫َومَا كَانَ لَنَا َأنْ نَأْتِيَكُم‬ ّ‫بِسُلْطَانٍ ِإلّ بِإِذْنِ ال‬ ِّ‫ت عِنْدَ ال‬ ُ ‫قُلْ إِنّمَا اليَا‬ ٌ‫وَإِنّمَا أَنَا نَذِيرٌ مُبِين‬ ْ‫قُلْ ِإنّ الَّ قَادِ ٌر عَلَى أَن‬ ً‫يُنَزّلَ آيَة‬

F3. Prophets and Miracles: ?Are Miracles sure sign of a prophet

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As mentioned, Miracles are not a sure sign for a prophet, there have been many prophets of God, who did not show any miracle. So we cannot say that no one can be a prophet unless he shows some miracle.

F4. Prophets and Miracles What is difference between Miracles and Magic

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Miracles are real acts of God whereas magic is mostly tricks and mesmerism. Prophets are honest truthful and men of highest morality, whereas magicians and tricksters are people of lowest morality and worldly wise type of people. Prophets do not demand any worldly gains from their miracles whereas magicians and tricksters are only for worldly gain or popularity or some other ulterior motives. Learned people can distinguish between Miracle and Magic.

F5. Prophets and Miracles Some Prophets and their Miracles

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Abraham: getting saved from fiery furnace Saleh: She Camel Moses: Rod, Shining Hand and Nine pestilences. Jonah: Surviving in the belly of Whale Jesus: Healing Lepers and those born blind and dumb, bringing dead to life etc. Solomon: Understanding language of Birds. Mohammad: Quran

G1. How people treated their prophet : Rejected them Then if they reject you, so were (rejected prophets before you (3:184

ٌ‫سل‬ ُ ُ‫فَإِنْ كَذّبُوكَ فَ َقدْ كُذّبَ ر‬ َ‫مِنْ قَبْلِك‬

Rejected were the prophets before you, with patience and consistency (they bore their rejection (6:34 And the people of Noah- when they (rejected the prophet (25:37

َ‫سلٌ مِنْ َق ْبلِك‬ ُ ُ‫َولَقَدْ كُ ّذبَتْ ر‬ ‫علَى مَا ُك ّذبُوا‬ َ ‫َفصَبَرُوا‬ ‫وَأُوذُوا‬

No prophet came…but they said “A (sorcerer of one possessed” (51:52

َ‫سل‬ ُ ّ‫وَ َق ْومَ نُوحٍ لَمّا َك ّذبُوا الر‬ ْ‫أَغْرَ ْقنَاهُم‬ ْ ِ‫كَ َذلِكَ مَا َأتَى الّذِينَ م‬ ‫ن‬ ‫َق ْب ِل ِهمْ مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِلّ قَالُوا‬ ٌ‫جنُون‬ ْ َ‫سَاحِرٌ َأوْ م‬

G2. How people treated their prophets Mocked Them

Mocked were (many) prophets (before you (6:10 Mocked were (many) prophets (before you (13-32 But never came a prophet to them, but they mocked him ((15-11 Mocked were (many) prophets (before you (21:41

َ‫سلٍ مِنْ َقبْلِك‬ ُ ُ‫وَلَ َقدْ اسْ ُتهْزِئَ بِر‬ َ‫سلٍ مِنْ َقبْلِك‬ ُ ُ‫وَلَ َقدْ اسْ ُتهْزِئَ بِر‬ ّ‫وَمَا يَأْتِيهِمْ مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِل‬ َ‫كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْ َتهْ ِزئُون‬ ْ‫سلٍ مِن‬ ُ ُ‫وَلَ َقدْ اسْ ُتهْزِئَ بِر‬ َ‫َقبْلِك‬

G3. How people treated their prophets Persecuted, Threatened and even killed them And the unbelievers said to their prophets “Be sure we shall drive you (out of our land..” ( 14-13 The leaders, the arrogant party amongst them said “O SHOAIB we shall drive you and those who follow (you from our city (7:88 Whenever comes to you a prophet… Some you called imposters and (others you slay (2:87

ْ‫وَقَالَ الّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِرُسُلِهِم‬ ْ‫ضنَا َأو‬ ِ ْ‫جنّكُمْ ِمنْ أَر‬ َ ِ‫َلنُخْر‬ ‫َلتَعُو ُدنّ فِي مِلّتِنَا‬ ْ‫ستَ ْكبَرُوا ِمن‬ ْ ‫قَالَ الْمَل الّذِينَ ا‬ ُ‫ج ّنكَ يَا شُ َعيْب‬ َ ِ‫قَوْمِهِ َلنُخْر‬ ْ‫وَالّذِينَ آ َمنُوا مَ َعكَ ِمنْ قَ ْر َي ِتنَا َأو‬ ‫َلتَعُو ُدنّ فِي مِلّتِنَا‬ ‫أَفَكُلّمَا جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ بِمَا ل‬ ً‫ستَ ْكبَ ْرتُمْ فَفَرِيقا‬ ْ ‫َت ْهوَى أَنفُسُكُمْ ا‬ َ‫كَ ّذ ْبتُمْ وَفَرِيقاً تَقْتُلُون‬

G4. How people treated their prophets ((When they left this earth

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Some people raised them to the level of Divinity, took the as God itself. Some people Changed the original message of Prophets. Some people got divided into sects and factions and each faction tried to get above one another

G5. Should we believe in All prophets? Rejection of one prophet is indeed rejection of all ِ‫إِنّ الّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِالِّ وَرُسُلِه‬ Those who deny God and His ِّ‫َويُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يُفَرّقُوا َبيْنَ ال‬ prophets, and (those) who wish ٍ ْ‫وَرُسُلِهِ وَيَقُولُونَ ُنؤْمِنُ بِبَع‬ ‫ض‬ to separate God from prophets ْ َ‫َو َنكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍ وَيُرِيدُونَ أ‬ ‫ن‬ saying “We believe in some but ً‫سبِيل‬ َ َ‫خذُوا َبيْنَ ذَلِك‬ ِ ّ‫َيت‬ reject others…they are in truth َ‫) ُأوْ َلئِكَ هُمْ ا ْلكَافِرُون‬150( ((equally) unbelievers (4:150 ‫حَقّا‬ َ‫سلِين‬ َ ْ‫َك ّذبَتْ َق ْومُ نُوحٍ الْمُر‬ People of Noah (AAD, THAMOOD, LOT) rejected (all) prophets (26: 105, 123, (141, 160

?H1. Is the door of Prophet Hood still Open

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In old times prophets were sent to their own people. Their message was only for their own people Because the human civilization was in infancy, there were not enough means of travel and interaction between people located in different nations and geographical areas. Religion of all prophets was basically same as for as article of faiths are concerned, however there was difference in some rituals and dietary laws based on local conditions.

?H2. Is the door of Prophet Hood still Open

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It was in the plan of God that when human civilization would be sufficiently progresses, He will send a last Prophet and Universal prophet and thru him combine all humanity under a common system. So when that time came approx 1400 years back, the Last and Final prophet was sent and the chain of prophets came to an end and no more prophet would come into the world now.

H3. Is the door of Prophet Hood still Open? Covenant taken from past prophets Behold! God took the covenant of the prophets saying” I give you book and wisdom; then comes to you a messenger confirming what is with you; do you believe in him and render him (help”?(3:81 And remember Jesus son of Mary said “O Children of Israel I am the messenger of God….glad tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad) ( (61:6

َ‫َوإِذْ أَخَذَ الُّ مِيثَاقَ ال ّن ِبيّين‬ ٍ‫لَمَا آ َت ْيتُكُمْ ِمنْ ِكتَاب‬ ٌ‫وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمّ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُول‬ ّ‫مُصَ ّدقٌ لِمَا مَعَكُمْ َل ُتؤْمِ ُنن‬ ُ‫بِهِ وَ َل َت ْنصُ ُرنّه‬

‫َوإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ا ْبنُ مَ ْريَمَ يَا‬ ُ‫بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنّي رَسُول‬ َ‫الِّ إِ َليْكُمْ ُمصَدّقاً لِمَا َب ْين‬ ً‫يَدَيّ ِمنَ ال ّتوْرَاةِ وَ ُمبَشّرا‬ ‫بِرَسُولٍ يَ ْأتِي ِمنْ بَعْدِي‬ ُ‫اسْمُهُ أَحْمَد‬

H4. Is the door of Prophet Hood still Open? ? Is there really need of a new prophet 

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The Book of God given to the Last Prophet is preserved in its original condition. Sayings and life story of the Last prophet is preserved in its minutest details. It is to say that Last Prophet is “Living and with us” all these days. So really there is no need for any new prophet to come into the world.

H5. Coming of New Prophet?Boon or bane for humanity

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Coming of a new prophet is a difficult test for humanity. If they reject a true prophet, they are in trouble. If they believe in false prophets, they are in greater trouble. So it was a real mercy from God that door of Prophethood was closed 1400 years back.

We sent you (O Mohammad) but ً‫ح َمة‬ ْ َ‫وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلّ ر‬ (as mercy to all Creations (21:107 َ‫لِلْعَالَمِين‬

Summary of Presentation A .Humans do need Divine Guidance specially in .Spiritual matters B. Divine Guidance has been provided to each nation .by sending prophets C. All prophets were human, from the same community .and men of highest moral characters D. All prophets preached the same message which was .to worship one God E. Prophets often showed miracles as proof of their authority. Miracles are Acts of God on the hands of prophets

(.Summary of Presentation (Contd

F .People rejected, mocked, persecuted and even killed their

.prophets when they were with them G. When they died, they either raised them to divinity or .changed their message H. We have to believe in all prophets of God and must not .reject any one

The door of prophet hood is now closed, after .coming of Last and Final prophet J. This indeed is a mercy from God and boon for humanity

.IV

.V

Conclusion

And our last saying is “Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and “Sustainer of the Worlds And May His peace and blessings .be to our prophet Mohammad

ِ‫حمْدُ لِلّه‬ َ ‫وَآ ِخرُ َد ْعوَان ْا َأ ْن اْل‬ َ‫رَبّ الْعَاَلمِي‬ ‫والصلة و السلم على‬ ‫نبينا ممد و آله و أصحابه‬ ‫أجعي‬

I thank you for your presence and your patience . .May Peace and Blessings of Allah be on All of You