Nubuwwah in Islam
Nubuwwah in Islam is one of the beliefs that Allah Almighty has chosen and sent Prophets to guide humanity to the right path. Prophets are humans who receive revelation from Allah (SWT) and convey it to their people. They are the best examples of piety, morality, and obedience to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. Prophets are also called Messengers (Rasul) when they bring a new code of law (Shariah) or a new scripture (Holy Books). Some of the Prophets mentioned in the Quran are Hazrat Adam (AS), Hazrat Noah (AS), Hazrat Abraham (AS), Hazrat Moses (AS), Hazrat Jesus (AS), and Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Nubuwwah is a vital part of the six articles of faith in Islam. With Prophethood, humans would be made aware of their purpose and destiny.
In this blog post, we will explore the concept of Nubuwwah in Islam and the role and characteristics of Muhammad (SAW) as the Last Prophet and Messenger of Allah Almighty.
Essence of Prophethood (Nubuwwah) in Islam
Nubuwwah is one of Islam’s fundamental articles of faith. It shows Allah’s mercy and wisdom in providing guidance and direction for humanity. It also shows the unity and continuity of Allah’s message throughout history.
Allah Almighty says in the Quran,
The Messenger firmly believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They all believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. They proclaim, “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. We seek Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You alone is the final return.” [Surah Baqarah Ayat 285]
The Prophets have specific characteristics and responsibilities that distinguish them from ordinary people. Some of these are:
- They are the best examples of purity, morality, and obedience to Allah (swt).
- They receive revelation from Allah (swt) through various means, such as dreams, visions, angels, or direct speech.
- They convey the message of Allah (swt) to their people without any distortion or alteration.
- They perform miracles with the permission of Allah (swt) to prove their truthfulness and authority.
- They endure hardships and opposition from their enemies with patience and perseverance.
Hazrat Muhammad (saw) is the last Prophet and Messenger of Islam. He was sent as a mercy to all humanity, not just a specific nation or crew. He brought the Quran, the final and complete revelation from Allah (swt), along with his Sunnah, which includes his teachings and practices.
Narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “My similitude in comparison with the other prophets before me, is that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for a place of one brick in a corner. The people go about it and wonder at its beauty, but say: ‘Would that this brick be put in its place!’ So I am that brick, and I am the last of the Prophets.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari 3535)
For more information, you can visit this blog, Sihah Sitta.
The Journey of Prophethood
Muslims believe Adam (AS) was the first Prophet, also known as the father of humanity. After Adam (AS), Allah (swt) sent many prophets to different nations and communities throughout history, such as Noah (AS), Ibrahim (AS), Mosa (AS), and others. They all preached the same core beliefs: the oneness of Allah (swt), avoidance of idolatry and sin, and belief in the Day of Resurrection and life after death. The last Prophet in Islam was Hazrat Muhammad (saw).
For more Qiyamah exploration, visit this blog: The Day of Judgment.
The message of Islam is not a new religion but a continuation and completion of the previous revelations that Allah (swt) sent to His Prophets. The Quran is the final revelation and confirms the truth of the earlier scriptures, such as the Tawrat given to Hazrat Mosa (AS), Zabur given to Hazrat Dawud (AS), and the Injil given to Isa (AS).
For a comprehensive guide about The Holy Books, you can visit this blog, Four Holy Books in Islam.
We believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last and final Prophet sent by Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala. The Quran is the final revelation that confirms and completes the previous scriptures. Details Given Below
For more information, visit this blog: Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Life.
The journey of Prophethood is a journey of faith, struggle, sacrifice, and success. It inspires us to follow in the footsteps of the prophets and adhere to their teachings. It connects us to Allah Almighty and His guidance and also leads us to eternal happiness and salvation.
Risalah – The Divine Message
What is Risalah, and why is it important for Muslims? Risalah is the Arabic word for message, and it refers to how Allah Almighty communicates with his Prophets and Messengers. Belief in Allah Almighty, his Angels, his Books, the Day of Judgment, and his decree is the fundamental belief in Islam.
Risalah means Allah (SWT) has sent Prophets and Messengers to guide humanity to the right path. These Prophets and Messengers received revelations from Allah (SWT) directly or through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). They then conveyed these revelations to their people, teaching them to worship Allah Almighty and follow his laws.
Risalah is important because it shows that Allah Almighty cares for us and wants us to succeed in this life and the hereafter. It also shows us that Allah (SWT) is not distant or silent but speaks to them through his signs and words. Risalah also connects us with our history and heritage as we learn from the examples and teachings of the Prophets and Messengers. Risalah also unites us with other people of faith, as they believe in one God and his Messengers.
For more information, you can visit this blog: The concept of prophethood in Islam.
Finality of Prophethood
One of the most important beliefs in Islam is the finality of Prophethood. This means that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last seal of the prophets and that no one after him can claim to be a Messenger of Allah (SWT). This belief is based on several verses of the Quran and the authentic hadiths of the Prophet.
The Quran states;
“Muḥammad is not the father of any of your men, but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. And Allah has perfect knowledge of all things.” (Surah Ahzab Ayat 40)
The Prophet confirmed this in his farewell sermon: “O people, I am leaving behind me two things, the Quran and my Sunnah (traditions), and if you follow these, you will never go astray. And if you were asked about me, what would you say?” They said, “We bear witness that you have conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, and advised the nation.” He said: “Do you bear witness to that?” They said: “Yes, we do.” He said: “O Allah, bear witness to that.” Then he raised his finger to the sky and said: “O Allah, You are my witness that I have conveyed Your message to Your slaves.”
Click the link to learn more about the last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUM).
The belief in the finality of Prophethood is essential for preserving Islam’s unity and purity and protecting it from corruption and distortion. It is also a source of honor and dignity for us. We are the followers of the best and most noble of Prophets, who was sent as a mercy to all the worlds.
This belief reinforces the unity of the Muslim community, linking us across time and geography through a shared commitment to the teachings of the final Messenger. Embracing the finality of Prophethood inspires a profound connection to the Quran. It encourages you and me to seek guidance from its timeless wisdom in navigating the challenges of our lives.
Differentiating Between Nubuwwah and Risalah
Prophethood (Nubuwwah) is one of the fundamental beliefs in Islam. It refers to the special relationship between Allah Almighty and His chosen servants, Prophets (Anabiya) or Messengers (Rusul). Prophets are human beings who receive divine guidance and revelation from Allah Almighty and convey it to their people. They also serve as role models, leaders, reformers, and teachers of humanity.
In Islamic terminology, there is a difference between a Prophet (Nabi) and a Messenger (Rasul). A Prophet receives revelation from Allah Almighty but is not commanded to convey a new divine message or legislation to his people. He is sent to remind his people of a previous message revealed by a Messenger before him. A Messenger receives revelation from Allah (SWT) and is commanded to convey a new divine message or legislation to his people. He is sent with a new scripture or book that repeals or replaces the previous ones.
Every Messenger is a Prophet, but not every Prophet is a Messenger. For example, Hazrat Adam (AS), Hazrat Noah (AS), Hazrat Abraham (AS), Hazrat Moses (AS), Hazrat Jesus (AS), and Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon them all) were Messengers and Prophets. They were sent with new messages and laws for their respective nations.
However, Hazrat Ishmael (AS), Hazrat Isaac (AS), Hazrat Jacob (AS), Hazrat Joseph (AS), Hazrat David (AS), Hazrat Solomon (AS), Hazrat Jonah (AS), and many others (peace be upon them all) were Prophets but not Messengers. They were sent to revive or reinforce the messages of their predecessors.
Nubuwwah in Islam is based on evidence and reason, not blind imitation or superstition. As Muslims, we respect and honor all the prophets of Allah (SWT) and do not discriminate or differentiate between them. We also believe that there will be no new Prophet or revelation after Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) and that anyone who claims to be a prophet or a messenger after him is a liar and a deceiver.
Prophets Mentioned in the Holy Quran
The Holy Quran mentions the names of 25 Prophets of Islam. However, Muslims believe that Allah Almighty has sent many more Prophets at different times and places.
Click the link to learn more about the 25 Prophets mentioned in the Holy Quran. Prophets and Messengers in Islam
Conclusion
The concept of Prophets in Islam is intertwined with the other fundamental beliefs of the religion.
These Prophets are believed to have received divine guidance from Allah (swt) through the revealed books. They were also informed about the existence and roles of Angels and provided knowledge about the Day of Judgment and the Divine Decree. Their teachings and guidance are essential for us to understand the complex theological principles of Islam. They lead us to follow the right path.
Thus, embracing the concept of Nubuwwah in Islam is necessary to comprehend Islamic beliefs and principles.
