Prophets and messengers in Islam: Belief and Obedience

Allah Almighty has given guidance to the mankind through his prophets in Islam. Although Prophets are human beings Allah SWT selected them to convey his message to the human beings in this world. Therefore, the prophethood is God-given and no individual has the ability to self-originate it. According to the Quran, Only those people were selected for prophethood who had the potential to protect themselves from lures of inner desires and Satan as well as they were pious and righteous among people.

1. Difference between Messengers and Prophets in Islam

All messengers mentioned in the Quran are Prophets, however, it is not necessary that all Prophets are messengers. In Islam, Rasool is the word utilized for messenger and Nabi for Prophet. Messengers are those who have been given Shariah or New Law by the Allah SWT. Prophets are the ones who do not bring any new Shariah, Rather they follow the Shariah of the previous Messenger.

2. Need of Prophets and Messengers

Prophets were not required in this world to make people realize the existence of the God and difference between good and evil. Allah SWT has described in the Quran that this belief has been ingrained in their nature. Therefore, the common perception is not correct regarding the need of Prophets. Therefore, following two reasons are correct for their existence in the world.

• The first reason is related to completion of guidance. Humans have the ingrained knowledge but they require reminder from God as the inner knowledge is in concise form.
• The second reason is for tmām al-hujjah as to awaken humans from unawareness. This will be done through providing signs of Truth so that on the day of Judgement no one denies it.

At the moment, both of these reasons have been completed by the Prophets and Messengers in Islam. Therefore, the institution of prophethood has come to an end. Hence, from now till the Day of Judgment, we all have to follow and the teachings of Prophets in Islam in order to pass the test on life hereafter.

3. Signs of Prophets in Islam

It can be found in Quran that every Prophet has been given signs to show his people. Here, we will mention some of them in following points.

• A Prophet generally appears in the nation with the prediction of upcoming Prophet. For example, Hazrat Yahya (AS) told the people regarding the coming of Hazrat Esa (AS). Similalry, the advent of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was predicted in both new and old testament.
• The Prophet presents the message of Allah without any change or contradiction in it. Quran has asserted itself as the book which has no ideological contradiction present int. How can person deliver speeches for so many years without any contradiction present in it after compiling it. The Quran has that unmatchable characteristic which no other book can claim it.
• A Prophet is provided with different miracles to show his nation. For example, Hazrat Mosa (AS) and Hazrat Esa (AS) showed open miracles to their respective nation. Similarity, the biggest miracle of Holy prophet (SAW) is considered to be Quran whom qualities have been mentioned in above point.

In the end, There are 25 Prophets mentioned in the Quran along with their respective stories. However, the overall number is almost One hundred twenty-four thousand. All the Prophets and Messengers in Islam have come to preach one religion " Islam".