What is faith in prophets, and how does it benefit humans?
Belief in prophets is:
1. A belief in Allah’s presence in our daily lives: Allah did not create the Universe and the best kind of creations humans—and then abandon them. Prophets serve as evidence that Allah did not abandon His creations. Allah is directly involved in humans’ history and life, and prophets are one aspect of His engagement.
2. A belief that Allah guides the humankind: Prophets are role models. By sending a messenger to humans from amongst themselves, Allah is showing that He trusts humans and that humans are not to be hopeless about fellow humans.
3. A belief that good people and good deeds are never forgotten or wasted: Prophets were actively good members of their respective societies.
They devoted their lives and souls for the betterment of humans’ happiness and expected nothing worldly in return from them. The Qur’an names twenty-eight of them and tells their stories. The message is that good people and their deeds are never forgotten.
What is the practical value of faith in prophets?
Every single prophet is a role model for humans in all places and times, because the stories of the prophets’ lives can be related and studied.
The calamities that befell them and the achievements they reached can certainly happen again to anyone in any time and space until the world comes to its end.
One does not have to travel in time to enjoy the company of prophets of the past. One only needs to uphold and implement the mission of the prophets in their lifetimes.
What is prophethood and who are the prophets?
Prophethood is a divine window opened for humans. It is also the most unique educational institution that humanity has witnessed. These “professors” never rest or retire. Therefore, prophethood remains the longest lasting voluntary institution in human history.
Prophets were people assigned by Allah to deliver and teach His guidance to humans.
They were subject to all laws of physics and physiology like any other human: they were born; they ate and drank; they rejoiced and grieved; they enjoyed good health and fell ill; finally, they died or were killed.
Allah tasked them with delivering His message to humans without altering or corrupting it.
They were neither paid for fulfilling this task nor did they ask for payment. They never lied about Allah’s words and teachings.
They respected the boundaries Allah drew for them. In short, they completely devoted their entire lives to Allah’s cause.
What were specific properties of the prophets?
They were humans, not angels (Fussilat 41:6).
They were the best examples of how to live the message they were sent with (‘Ahzab 33:21).
They were truthful and sincere at all times (Maryam 19:41).
They were virtuous ones endeavoring hardships of this life (‘Anbya’ 21:85-86).
They asked no payment for fulfilling their task (Hud 11:51).
They all propagated one religion and pursued the same goal and creed with difference only in language, method and application (Ma’idah 5:48).
What are the things a prophet would not and could not do?
Ask people to worship him (‘Ali`Imran 3:79). Escape from the prophetic mission (Saffat 37:140). Deliver the divine message when or how they wanted (Ghafir 40:78). Conceal Allah’s message (Haqqah 69:44). Intercede for someone whom Allah does not allow intercession for (Zumar 39:44). Know the time of the end of the world (Nazi`at 79:43).
Know the unseen unless Allah made them aware of it (A`raf 7:188). Guide own family members or loved ones to monotheism (Qasas 28:56), and Allowing that, which Allah prohibits or prohibiting that, which Allah allows (Tahrim 66:1).
