The Prophets of Allah JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

THE PROPHETS OF ALLAH

Prophets are special people chosen by Allah to guide humanity. They are messengers who receive revelation from Allah and teach it to their people. Believing in all prophets is one of the six pillars of faith in Islam. Allah sent many prophets throughout history to different nations and communities.

The Arabic word for prophet is “Nabi,” and the word for messenger is “Rasul.” All messengers are prophets, but not all prophets are messengers. A messenger (Rasul) is a prophet who receives a new book or law from Allah, while a prophet (Nabi) follows the law of a previous messenger.

The Purpose of Prophethood

Allah sent prophets for many important reasons:

1. To Guide Humanity to Allah

The main purpose of prophets is to guide people to worship Allah alone and reject all false gods. They teach people about Allah’s existence, power, and mercy.

2. To Teach People How to Worship Allah

Prophets show people the correct way to pray, fast, give charity, and perform other acts of worship. They demonstrate how to follow Allah’s commands in daily life.

3. To Set a Good Example

Prophets are role models who demonstrate the best character and behavior. They show people how to live according to Allah’s guidance.

4. To Warn About the Day of Judgment

Prophets remind people about the Hereafter, where everyone will be held accountable for their actions. They warn about the punishment of Hellfire and give good news about the rewards of Paradise.

5. To Establish Justice

Prophets work to create just societies based on Allah’s laws. They stand against oppression, corruption, and injustice.

Characteristics of the Prophets

All prophets share certain qualities that make them suitable for their noble mission:

1. Truthfulness (Sidq)

Prophets always speak the truth and never lie. Even their enemies recognize their honesty.

2. Trustworthiness (Amanah)

Prophets are completely trustworthy. People trust them with their valuables, secrets, and important matters.

3. Intelligence (Fatanah)

Prophets are very intelligent and wise. They can answer difficult questions, solve problems, and give good advice.

4. Conveying the Message (Tabligh)

Prophets deliver Allah’s message completely without hiding or changing anything. They work hard to spread Allah’s guidance.

5. Protection from Major Sins (Ismah)

Prophets are protected from committing major sins. They may make small mistakes sometimes, but they never deliberately disobey Allah.

6. Physical Perfection

Prophets are free from physical defects that might make people reject their message. They are usually handsome and have good health.

The Number of Prophets

The exact number of prophets is not known. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that Allah sent about 124,000 prophets throughout history. However, only 25 prophets are mentioned by name in the Qur’an.

The First and Last Prophets

The First Prophet: Adam (peace be upon him)

Adam was the first human being and the first prophet. Allah created him directly from clay and taught him the names of all things. He was sent to earth after making a mistake in Paradise. He taught his children to worship Allah alone.

The Last Prophet: Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Muhammad is the final prophet and messenger of Allah. No prophet will come after him. He was sent to all humanity, not just to one nation. His message completes and perfects all previous messages.

Major Prophets Mentioned in the Qur’an

1. Adam (Adam)

• First human being and prophet
• Created directly by Allah from clay
• Lived in Paradise before coming to Earth
• Father of all humanity

2. Nuh (Noah)

• Preached for 950 years to his people
• Built an ark under Allah’s command
• Survived the great flood with his followers
• Second father of humanity after the flood

3. Ibrahim (Abraham)

• Known as Khalilullah (Friend of Allah)
• Father of many prophets
• Built the Ka’bah with his son Ismail
• Willing to sacrifice his son for Allah
• Broke the idols to show the foolishness of idol worship

4. Musa (Moses)

• Received the Torah (Tawrat)
• Saved the Children of Israel from Pharaoh
• Spoke directly to Allah on Mount Tur
• Performed many miracles, including splitting the sea

5. Dawud (David)

• Given the Zabur (Psalms)
• Had a beautiful voice for reciting
• Iron would become soft in his hands
• Was both a prophet and a king

6. Sulaiman (Solomon)

• Son of Dawud
• Could understand the language of animals and birds
• Had control over the wind and jinn
• Known for his great wisdom and judgment
• Had a vast kingdom unlike any other

7. Isa (Jesus)

• Born miraculously to Maryam (Mary) without a father
• Performed many miracles including healing the sick and raising the dead
• Given the Injil (Gospel)
• Was not killed but raised to heaven by Allah
• Will return before the Day of Judgment

8. Muhammad (peace be upon him)

• Final prophet and messenger
• Received the Qur’an, the final revelation
• Sent as a mercy to all worlds
• Best example for humanity
• Will intercede for believers on the Day of Judgment

Other Prophets Mentioned in the Qur’an

1. Idris (Enoch): Known for his patience and knowledge.
2. Hud: Sent to the people of ‘Ad, who were powerful but arrogant.
3. Salih: Sent to the people of Thamud. He brought a she-camel as a sign.
4. Lut (Lot): Nephew of Ibrahim. Sent to people who committed immoral acts.
5. Ismail (Ishmael): Son of Ibrahim. Helped build the Ka’bah.
6. Ishaq (Isaac): Son of Ibrahim born in old age. Father of Yaqub.
7. Yaqub (Jacob): Son of Ishaq. Also known as Israel. Father of 12 sons including Yusuf.
8. Yusuf (Joseph): Son of Yaqub. Known for his beauty, patience, and dream interpretation.
9. Ayyub (Job): Known for his extreme patience during illness and hardship.
10. Shu’ayb: Sent to the people of Madyan. Preached against cheating in business.
11. Yunus (Jonah): Swallowed by a whale but saved by Allah’s mercy.
12. Ilyas (Elijah): Sent to people who worshipped an idol called Ba’l.
13. Al-Yasa (Elisha): Successor to Ilyas.
14. Dhul-Kifl: Known for his care for others and patience.
15. Zakariya (Zechariah): Father of Yahya. Was given a son in old age.
16. Yahya (John the Baptist): Son of Zakariya. Supported the message of Isa.
17. Harun (Aaron): Brother of Musa who helped him in his mission.

Ulul ‘Azm (The Resolute Messengers)

Five prophets are called Ulul ‘Azm (those of strong determination) because they faced the greatest challenges and showed the highest level of patience:

1. Nuh (Noah)
2. Ibrahim (Abraham)
3. Musa (Moses)
4. Isa (Jesus)
5. Muhammad (peace be upon them all)

The Books Given to Prophets

Some prophets received revealed books from Allah:

1. Suhuf (Scrolls) to Ibrahim
2. Tawrat (Torah) to Musa
3. Zabur (Psalms) to Dawud
4. Injil (Gospel) to Isa
5. Qur’an to Muhammad

The Qur’an is the only revealed book that remains unchanged. The others were changed by people over time.

Stories of the Prophets in the Qur’an

The Qur’an tells us many stories about the prophets to teach us important lessons:

The Story of Nuh (Noah)

Nuh preached for 950 years, but most people rejected his message. He built an ark by Allah’s command. Allah sent a great flood, and only the believers on the ark survived.

Lessons: Patience in calling people to the truth; Allah eventually helps the believers; disbelief leads to destruction.

The Story of Ibrahim (Abraham)

Ibrahim questioned idol worship from a young age. He broke the idols to show people they were powerless. His people tried to burn him, but Allah made the fire cool and safe for him. Later, he was ready to sacrifice his son when Allah commanded it, but Allah replaced his son with a ram.

Lessons: Using logic to discover truth; courage in standing for belief; complete submission to Allah’s commands.

The Story of Yusuf (Joseph)

Yusuf was thrown into a well by his jealous brothers. He was sold as a slave in Egypt, falsely accused, and imprisoned. His ability to interpret dreams eventually led him to become a high official. Years later, he forgave his brothers when they came seeking help during a famine.

Lessons: Patience during hardship; resisting temptation; forgiveness; trust in Allah’s plan.

The Story of Musa (Moses)

Musa was raised in Pharaoh’s palace but later had to flee. Allah spoke to him at Mount Tur and sent him back to Egypt with miraculous signs. He led the Children of Israel out of Egypt, parted the sea, and received the Torah on Mount Sinai.

Lessons: Allah can turn enemies into caretakers; speaking truth to power; miraculous help comes when needed.

The Story of Isa (Jesus)

Isa was born to Maryam without a father. He spoke as a baby to defend his mother’s honor. He performed many miracles, including healing the blind and sick, and bringing the dead back to life. When his enemies tried to kill him, Allah raised him to heaven.

Lessons: Allah’s power over creation; using miracles as proof; Allah protects His messengers.

How the Prophets Delivered Their Message

Prophets used different methods to call people to Allah:

1. Clear Explanation

They explained Allah’s message in simple, clear language that people could understand.

2. Wise Approach

They spoke to people according to their level of understanding and addressed their specific concerns.

3. Good Example

They practiced what they preached and set a perfect example of the behavior they called for.

4. Gradual Teaching

They taught people step by step, starting with the most important beliefs before moving to detailed rules.

5. Miracles

They performed miracles with Allah’s permission to prove their prophethood to those who doubted.

Challenges Faced by the Prophets

Prophets faced many difficulties while delivering Allah’s message:

1. Rejection and Mockery

Most prophets were initially rejected and mocked by their people, who called them liars, magicians, or madmen.

2. Physical Persecution

Many prophets were physically harmed, threatened with death, or forced to leave their homes.

3. Family Opposition

Some prophets faced opposition from their own family members, like Nuh whose son and wife disbelieved.

4. Economic Difficulties

Prophets often faced economic hardship and boycotts because of their message.

5. Murder Attempts

Some prophets, like Ibrahim, Musa, and Muhammad, faced attempts on their lives.

How to Show Respect to the Prophets

Muslims should respect all prophets in these ways:

1. Believe in All Prophets

Muslims must believe in all prophets without exception. Denying any prophet is considered disbelief.

2. Do Not Discriminate Between Them

While some prophets had higher ranks than others, Muslims should not favor some prophets over others in a way that disrespects any of them.

3. Say “Peace Be Upon Him” When Mentioning Them

Muslims say “Peace be upon him” (Alayhi as-Salam) or write (AS) after mentioning any prophet’s name.

4. Follow Their Teachings

The best way to respect prophets is to follow their teachings and example in daily life.

5. Defend Their Honor

Muslims should defend the honor of all prophets when they are insulted or mocked.

Lessons from the Lives of Prophets

1. Steadfastness in Faith

Prophets remained firm in their faith despite facing severe opposition and hardship.

2. Patience in Adversity

They showed remarkable patience during trials and never gave up their mission.

3. Trust in Allah

They completely trusted Allah’s plan and support, even in seemingly impossible situations.

4. Kindness and Mercy

Despite the harsh treatment they received, prophets remained kind and merciful to their people.

5. Honesty and Integrity

They maintained the highest standards of honesty and moral character in all situations.

Conclusion

The prophets of Allah are the best examples for humanity. Allah chose them to guide people to the straight path. Through their lives and teachings, we learn how to worship Allah correctly and live righteous lives. The final prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him), brought the complete and perfect message that will remain until the Day of Judgment.

By studying the stories of the prophets, we gain valuable lessons that help us face our own challenges with faith and patience. All prophets taught the same core message: to worship Allah alone and prepare for the Hereafter. As Muslims, we honor all prophets and follow the guidance of the final prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Believing in the prophets reminds us that Allah has never left humanity without guidance. Throughout history, whenever people strayed from the right path, Allah sent prophets to bring them back to the truth. This shows Allah’s mercy and care for His creation.