Why has God sent prophets?:
Islam teaches that God has sent prophets to humanity, in different times and places, to communicate His message. Since the beginning of time, God has sent His guidance through these chosen people. They were human beings who taught the people around them about faith in One Almighty God, and how to walk on the path of righteousness. Some prophets also revealed God’s Word through books of revelation.
What message have the prophets brought?:
Muslims believe that all prophets gave guidance and instruction to their people about how to properly worship God and live their lives. Since God is One, His message has been one and the same throughout time. In essence, all prophets taught the message of Islam – to find peace in your life through submission to the One Almighty Creator; to believe in God and to follow His guidance.
What does the Qur’an say about the prophets?:
“The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one of them believes in God, His angels, His books, and His Messengers. They say: ‘We make no distinction between one and another of His Messengers.’ And they say: ‘We hear, and we obey. We seek Thy forgiveness, Our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys.'” (Al-Baqarah, 2:285)
What prophets are named in the Qur’an?:
There are 25 prophets mentioned by name in the Qur’an, although Muslims believe that there were many more in different times and places. Among the prophets that Muslims honor are:
- Adam
- Idris (Enoch)
- Nuh (Noah)
- Hud
- Saleh
- Ibrahim (Abraham)
- Isma’il (Ishmael)
- Ishaq (Isaac)
- Lut (Lot)
- Ya’qub (Jacob)
- Yousef (Joseph)
- Shu’aib
- Ayyub (Job)
- Musa (Moses)
- Harun (Aaron)
- Dhu’l-kifl (Ezekiel)
- Dawud (David)
- Sulaiman (Solomon)
- Ilias (Elias)
- Al-Yasa (Elisha)
- Yunus (Jonah)
- Zakariyya (Zechariah)
- Yahya (John)
- ‘Isa (Jesus)
- Muhammad
How do Muslims honor the prophets?:
Muslims read about, learn from, and respect all of the prophets. Many Muslims name their children after them. In addition, when mentioning the name of any of God’s prophets, a Muslim adds these words of blessing and respect: “upon him be peace” (alayhi salaam in Arabic).
