Prophethood

• Adam: Role was to rule and look after the earth for God . First human, Muslim and prophet . To teach other humans to care for the Earth as Allah taught him. To teach others how to live, what to eat, how to pray, how to bury bodies. Believed to have built the first Ka’aba in Mecca (rebuilt by Ibrahim). First Khalifa (Steward) and teaches other Muslims to be the same.
• Prophethood is a central concept in Islam, referring to the belief in the messengers sent by God to guide humanity.
• Prophets are chosen by God and are considered to be the best of human beings, possessing exceptional moral character and wisdom.
• Ibrahim: Rebuilt the Ka’aba in Mecca – the holiest place in Islam, important focus on Hajj, direction Muslims pray in. He was a monotheist at a time when many others were polytheists. Father of prophets and monotheism. He was prepared to sacrifice his son to show his faith in Allah, but Allah stopped him - example of obedience in faith . This is celebrated at Eid-ul-Adha. Exempler of faith for Muslims.
• Quote from Qur'an on Prophethood: "‘We sent a messenger to every community’.
• Quote from Qur'an on Prophethood: "I'm going to make a human out of clay"
• Quote from Qur'an on Prophethood: "God took Ibrahim as a friend"
• Quote from Qur'an on Prophethood: "Muhammad is not the father of any one of you men, he is God's messenger and the seal of the prophets"
• Why are prophets important in Islam?

  • Unite Humanity (Sunni and Shia both agree)
  • Give Holy books and important messages
  • Teach Muslims how to live their lives
  • Confirm the nature and existence of God
  • Communication between God and Humans
  • Purify people
• Mohammad

  Key points: Most important and final prophet, only one to get a universal message for all times, seal of the prophets, personified all qualities, Sunnah and Hadith are important sources of authority, second only to the Quran.

  Why important: Received Quran, Spoke with authority directly from God, Founder of Islam, Created Islamic practises, rules and rituals, Perfect role model to emulate
• Isa (Jesus)

  Key points: One of most honoured prophets, healing miracles, NOT DIVINE, penultimate prophet, remains physically alive, will come near day of judgement

  Why important: Honoured prophet, NOT SON OF GOD, Didn't rise from dead but is physically alive, Key messenger of God, Will return as a sign day of judgement is approaching
• "Prophets give the best understanding of faith"

  For:

  Prophets bring guidance to humans and it is only through them that Muslims are able to understand their faith fully. ‘Prophets are sent as a guide’ (Hadith).

  All prophets are incapable of major sin/ infallible/ and so cannot make any mistakes (Qur’an).

  Holy scriptures like the Qur’an and Torah were revealed to them and so they are better positioned to make sense of this.

  Prophets are able to communicate with God and so clarification can be provided on religious matters, etc.
• "Prophets give the best understanding of faith".

  Against:

  The rightly guided caliphs who lived with the prophet Muhammad interpreted the faith and understood it fully.

  The prophet Muhammad instructed his followers to follow the teachings of the rightly guided caliphs as they were like shining stars (Hadith); this implies that they were better positioned to understand and explain the faith to believers.

  Parents, teachers and community workers help to make sense of the faith by giving it context in real life situations, etc.