Risalah

• Prophets


  • Messengers of God
  • Muslims believe there has been as much as 124,000 prophets
  • 25 have been named in the Quran - they are called Rasuls
• Why Prophets are important


  • Channel of communication between God and humanity
  • They have brought important messages from God ('truths')
  • They have brought Holy Books
  • They show Muslims how to live their lives - help Muslims to know how God wants them to live
  • They confirm the nature of God through their messages
  • Source of wisdom and inspiration
• Muhammad


  • Seal of the Prophets
  • The FINAL PROPHET
• Muhammad


  • Born in Mecca, when polytheism was widespread
  • Muslims follow the Prophet's example (Sunnah) today
• Sunnah and Hadith


  • Written accounts of Muhammad's sayings, customs and traditions
  • Provide guidance
• Night of Power - Angel Jibril appeared to Muhammad (aged 40) whilst he was meditating in a cave on Mount Hira. Jibril commanded Muhammad to 'recite'. The Qur'an - the infallible word of God - was then revealed to him over 23 years.

  610 CE
• Muhammad's life


  1. First went to Mecca to preach the message

  2. Message of the Qur'an was rejected there and his life was in danger so he had to escape to Medina (Hijrah)

  3. Welcomed in Medina and became the political and religious leader

  4. Set up a belief system with the Five Pillars, set up community rules and delivered the Qur'an - this was the first Muslim community

  5. After gaining a large following, he returned to - and conquered - Mecca and set up the Ka'aba for the worship of Allah alone
• Muhammad


  • God chose to reveal the Qur'an to him
  • He is the founder of the Islamic religion
• Muhammad


  • Inaugurated Islamic practices and rituals
  • The perfect example for Muslims to emulate
  • Showed many qualities that would serve Muslims well in their lives today, such as determination, patience, courage, humility
  • Rejected immorality, showed duty and community - creator of the first community
  • His words made him a greater teacher and he lived the life he preached - exemplar figure
• Muhammad's words


  Spoken with authority, directly from God
• Muhammad's teachings


  Influenced to follow teachings of the Qur'an
• Rules created by Muhammad


  • Benefited everyone
  • Allowed religious freedom, rights for women, as well as care for elderly and in need
• Risalah


  Communication between God and humanity
• Guidance from God


  • Books
  • Angels
  • Prophets
• Adam


  Exemplar of Stewardship
• Adam


  • The first prophet (and human) to be created
  • The Father of humankind, a prophet until his death
  • He built the Ka'aba and taught the next life is eternal
  • His task was to be a steward / caretaker for the world to be a khalifah (Theme B link)
  • Teaches Muslims today that they should also look after and care for God's creation
• Hawaa


  A woman given to Adam for company
• Adam and Hawaa disobeyed God


  They failed the test from Iblis and were banished to earth instead of living in Eden
• Adam and Hawaa asked for forgiveness

  God was merciful
• Adam taught people about God
• Adam did wrong but repented and was forgiven
• Ibrahim


  Exemplar of Faith
• Ibrahim


  • Believed in one true God and rejected the idea of idol gods/statues
  • Preached this message but was rejected
  • God sent a miracle to save him when people tried to burn him for his monotheistic beliefs
• Ibrahim


  Father of monotheism
• God tested Ibrahim


  1. Asked him to sacrifice his son Ismail

  2. Ibrahim was willing

  3. God was pleased and sent a ram for sacrifice instead
• Ibrahim


  • His obedience to God and willingness to follow God's commands - despite not fully understanding why
  • Shows him as an exemplar of faith