4.1 Concept of messenger – ISLAM
Allah (swt) need not come down personally for giving the instruction manual. He chooses a man amongst men to deliver the message and communicates with him at a higher level through the medium of revelations. Such chosen men are called messengers and prophets of God.
The Qur’an says:
Deaf, dumb, and blind,
They will not return (to the path)." [Al-Qur'an 2:18]
Many messengers have been sent by God.
"We have sent messengers before you, some of them we mentioned to you, and some We did not mention to you" 40:78 (also 4:164)
The Quran tells us that God sends a messenger to every community: To every people (was sent) a Messenger: when their Messenger comes (before them), the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged.
(Al Qur’an 10:47)
For We assuredly sent amongst every people a messenger (with the command), “Serve Allah and eschew Evil”: of the people were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom Error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).
(Al Qur’an 16:36)
And there never was a people, without a warner having lived among them (In the past).
(Al Qur’an 35:24)
And to every people a guide.
(Al Qur’an 13:7)
25 PROPHETS ARE MENTIONED BY NAME IN THE QUR’AN
There are 25 Prophets mentioned by name in the Glorious Qur’an. Some of such prophets are: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all)
PREVIOUS PROPHETS WERE SENT ONLY FOR THEIR PEOPLE
All the prophets that came before Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) were sent for their people and nation, and the complete message they preached was meant only for that time PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) SENT FOR WHOLE OF HUMANKIN Since Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the last and final messenger of Allah (swt), he was not sent for only Muslims or the Arabs but he was sent for the whole of Humankind. It is mentioned in the Qur’an: We sent you not, but As a mercy for all creatures
(Al Qur’an 21:107)
We have not sent you but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (Against sin), but most men understand not. (Al Qur’an 34:28) It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari:
“Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said every prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to whole of humankind”.
(Sahih Bukhari Vol. 1, Book of Salaah Chapter 56 Hadith 429) PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH) IS THE LAST AND FINAL MESSENGER
It is mentioned in Surah Al-Ahzab:
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, And the Seal of the Prophets: And Allah has full knowledge of all things (Al Qur’an 33:40)
Say, O Mankind! truly I am a Messenger to you all from Allah to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. There is no god but He. He gives life and He causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Prophet, the Immaculate one, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be rightly guided.
(7:159)
Those who follow the Messenger, the Immaculate one, whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel which are with them. He enjoins on them good and forbids them evil, and makes lawful for them the good things and forbids them the bad, and removes from them their burdens and the shackles that were upon them. So those who shall believe in him, and honour and support him, and follow the light that has been sent down with him - these shall prosper.
(7:158)
Verses 83-86 of Sura 6 lists 18 of these prophets, they are:
1-Abraham (also named as a prophet in 19:41 and 33:7)
2-Isaac (also in 19:49 and 37:112)
3-Jacob (also in 19:49)
4-Noah (also in 33:7)
5-David (also in 17:55)
6-Solomon
7-Job
8-Joseph
9-Moses (lso in 19:51 and 33:7)
10-Aaron (also in 19:53)
11-Zachariah
12-John (also in 3:39)
13-Jesus (also in 19:30 and 33:7)
14-Elias
15-Ismail (19:54)
16-Elisha
17-Jonah
18-Lot
If we add the names of the two prophets:
19-Idris (named a prophet in 19:56)
20-Muhammad (who is confirmed to be the last of the prophets (33:40)
Whenever God mentions prophet hood in the Quran, He mentions scripture. The following are some examples:
"Never would a human being whom God blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, "Idolise me beside God." Instead, (he would say), "Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone," according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn." 3:79
"Those were the ones to whom we have given the scripture, wisdom, and prophethood. If these people disbelieve, we will substitute others in their place, and the new people will not be disbelievers." 6:89
"We granted him Isaac and Jacob, we assigned to his descendants prophethood and the scriptures, we endowed him with his due recompense in this life, and in the Hereafter he will surely be with the righteous." 29:27
"We have given the Children of Israel the scripture, wisdom, and prophethood, and provided them with good provisions; we bestowed upon them more blessings than any other people." 45:16
"We sent Noah and Abraham, and we granted their descendants prophethood and the scripture.
Some of them were guided, while many were wicked." 57:26
“We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs and we brought down with them the scripture and the balance so that people may uphold justice” 57:25
“Muhammad was not the father of any of your men, but he was a messenger of God and the seal of the prophets. God is knowledgeable of all things” 33:40
"They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords, instead of God . . . " 9:31
4.2 Concept of messenger – CHRISTANITY
The following statement from the Bible supports the Islamic belief that Jesus (pbuh) was a prophet of God.
"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know."
[The Bible, Acts 2:22]
"And behold, one came and said unto him, ‘Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?’
And he said unto him, ‘Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’ "
[The Bible, Mathew 19:16-17]
(i)"… and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me."
[The Bible, John 14:24]
(ii)"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent."
[The Bible, John 17:3]
4.3 Concept of messenger – HINDUISM
Note: This lengthy passage from the Holy Quran not only mentions the purpose of the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) but also states that earlier scriptures contain prophecies regarding his advent. Not only the Jewish and Christian scriptures but also the Hindu scriptures contain many prophecies about the Holy Prophet of Islam.
Among the four Vedas of the Hindus, Athra Veda occupies a prominent position. It is also known as Brahma Ved (i.e. Divine knowledge). It contains the following prophecy: O people! listen to these words with reverence. A very praiseworthy person will appear among the people. He will accept him from among 60090 enemies. His means of transport would be 20 camels . His name will soar high and then return. This great Rishi will have 100 gold coins, 10 pearl necklaces, 300 Arab horses and 10,000 cows.
(Athra Ved Kantam 20-127, 70-1-3)
Here many characteristics of the Holy Prophet of Islam have been mentioned . The Promised Rishi is called praiseworthy. The word Muhammad itself means worthy of praise. He and his companions used camels as means of transport whereas for the Rishis of India, the use of camel is forbidden (Manu Smrithi 5:8). When the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, appeared in Arabia, the population of the Arabs was stated as a little more than 60,000. The entire population had become his enemies. Almighty God protected him against his enemies.
The Holy Quran also says:
And Allah will protect thee from men.
(5:68)
Soaring high and returning refers to his experience of Miraj (Spiritual Ascent). The 100 gold coins refer to his companions who migrated twice to Abyssinia. The 10 pearl necklaces signify Ashra-Mubashera, the ten companions of the Holy Prophet, regarding whom God gave the glad tidings of Paradise in this world itself. These are Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, Ali, Talha, Zubair, Abdur Rahman ibn Auf, Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas, Sa'ad ibn Zaid and Abu Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with them).
The 300 Arab horses signify the 300 companions of the Holy Prophet who took part in the battle of Badr. They numbered 313. Eight of them could not participate in the battle. One of them died before the battle, and four of them were small children. Thus the actual number of people who fought in the battle of Badr together with the Holy Prophet was 300(three hundered). 10,000 cows signify the ten thousand holy people who entered Mecca triumphantly with him on his return.
Bhavisyath Puran also contains a prophecy regarding the advent of the Holy Prophet. Maharishi Vyas Muni occupies an emminent position among the Hindus because of his vast knowledge and wisdom, and God-given capabilities. In addition to other religious literature, he has written 18 Puranas such as Brahma Puran, Bhagath Puran. The 18th Puran is named Bhavisyath Puran. It contains prophecies pertaining to the future. According to the beliefs of the Hindus this book contains Divine revelations and prophecies. This Bhavisyath Puran contains the following prophecy regarding the Holy Prophet:
A spiritual reformer will come from a foreign land (outside Bharat) with his disciples (companions). His name will be Mahamad (Muhammad). He will dwell in a desert.
(Bhavisyath Purana 3:5-8)
Here the name of the spiritual reformer is clearly given as Muhammad. Generally in the Vedas all countries outside Bharat are referred to as Mlech. The foreign land is said to be in a desert. Here the Holy Prophet's companions are especially mentioned. Perhaps there is hardly any other prophet who had so many companions who had moulded their lives in the manner of their prophet. Maharishi Vyas Muni has mentioned the following qualities of this Muhammad Rishi and his followers:
His followers will perform circumcision. They will not keep their hair in the form of Choti as the Brahmans do. They will keep beard. They will bring about a revolution. They will call with a loud voice (i.e., instead of using a bell to call the people for prayer, they will call people to prayer in a loud voice by 'Azan'). They will eat meat of animals other than that of swine. Their civilization will be called Muslay (Muslim).
(Bhavishyat Puran Vol. 3 verse:3)
Note: These are the finding which we have but we will suggest to the reader to go back to these references and confirm on his own.
4.4 Concept of messenger – JUDAISM
Exodus Chapter 9 v1
“Then the LORD said unto Moses: 'Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him: Thus saith the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: Let My people go, that they may serve Me”.
“So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD”.
Leviticus Chapter 24 v1 & v2
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
'Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually
Leviticus Chapter 24 v13,v14 & v15
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
'Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.
And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying: Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin
Exodus Chapter 20 V 18, 19
“And the LORD said unto Moses: Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel: Ye yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven”
“And Moses did as the LORD commanded him”