Sulaiman Manto, UK
Islam believes 124,000 prophets have come before and preached submission to the Creator. These prophets came to different peoples and languages. The Quran only mentions 25 prophets, yet there are many of whom we do not know of. The Quran declares:
“And We did send Messengers before thee; of them are some whom We have mentioned to thee, and of them there are some whom We have not mentioned to thee; and it is not possible for any Messenger to bring a Sign except by the leave of Allah. But when Allah’s decree came, the matter was decided with truth, and then there perished those who uttered falsehoods. (Surah al-Mu’min, Ch.40: V.79)
However, as religion is prone to change, alteration and deception, Islam posits that prophethood and religion are a succession that requires newer prophets to revive the faith. It also shows that prophets have come for specific people and specific times. Islam presents itself as the final message for humans in a long line of previous religions that had come before it. So, rather than rejecting previous prophets and religions, Islam is their completion and compilation.
To understand Islam’s position on other prophets, I will initially present some criteria Islam sets out for identifying a true prophet. Then I will discuss the role of a prophet. By discussing these core points, it will become clear how Islam recognises other prophets and religions.
In Islam, the criterion of a prophet is set out in the Holy Quran. Although there are many factors to consider, I have only mentioned seven different criteria for the sake of brevity.
The character of the Prophet
One must look at the character and life of the claimant of prophethood. The Holy Quran states in several places how each prophet had high moral qualities which were traits that were evident before their claims. Companions, town folk and other people would testify to this wherever it has been recorded. Regarding this, Allah says:
“And that is Our argument which We gave to Abraham against his people. We exalt in degrees of rank whomso We please. Thy Lord is indeed Wise, All-Knowing. And we gave him Isaac and Jacob, each did We guide aright, and Noah did We guide aright aforetime, and of his progeny. David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward those who do good. And [We guided] Zachariah and John and Jesus and Elias, each one of them was of the virtuous. And [We also guided] Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot; and each one did We exalt above the people.” (Surah al-An’am, Ch.6: V.84-87)
The Five Volume Commentary states that these verses point toward three groups of prophets descending from Noah. The first group refers to David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron – they were doers of good and were granted power and prosperity. Thus, they were able to grant material good to humanity. The second group consists of Zachariah, John, Jesus and Elias who each lived a humble and lowly life, they were not possessed with worldly goods but were highly virtuous. The third group (Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah and Lot) had no worldly power, but God granted them grace and excellence. In other scriptures, these prophets were alleged to have coveted power and riches. For example, in the Bible, Ishmael is described to be a wild man and that his hand will be against every man (Gen, 16: 12). In the Talmud, Elisha is said to cause a king to be slain after he felt disobeyed. Jonah was also allegedly displeased with God as he was disgraced by the non-fulfilment of his prophecy, which showed he sought power for himself. However, it is the Holy Quran which declares all of these charges to be false. All these prophets were a group of heavenly people of high moral qualities and obedient to God. (The Five Volume Commentary [2018], Vol. 2, p. 890)
A true prophet receives revelation
A true prophet will receive revelation of the unseen, for example through prophecy. Allah says in the Quran:
عٰلِمُ الۡغَیۡبِ فَلَا یُظۡہِرُ عَلٰی غَیۡبِہٖۤ اَحَدًا
“[He is the] Knower of the unseen; and He reveals not His secrets to any one,” (Surah Al-Jinn, Ch.72: V.27)
When messengers receive knowledge from the unseen, it acts as both a sign for the people that a God exists, but also as a testament to the truthfulness of the prophet. Whether it is through prophecy or the deliverance of divine scripture, it is divine revelation and secrets of the unseen that distinguish a prophet from other mystics and fortune-tellers. As explained by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the prophecies and knowledge of the unseen communicated to the people by a prophet is of such clarity, quality and quantity, that none can present such a like of it. (Haqiqatul-Wahi [English], p. 24)
Spreading Tawhid
A messenger of Allah calls to the worship of Allah alone (tawhid). It is this call to monotheism and warning against associating partners with Allah that is the fundamental belief of every prophet:
وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِیۡ کُلِّ اُمَّۃٍ رَّسُوۡلًا اَنِ اعۡبُدُوا اللّٰہَ وَاجۡتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوۡتَ ۚ
“And We did raise among every people a Messenger, [preaching:] ‘Worship Allah and shun the Evil One.’ Then among them were [some] whom Allah guided and among them were [some] who became deserving of ruin. So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who treated [the Prophets] as liars!” (Surah an-Nahl, Ch.16: V.37)
Revelation and prophecy
Consistency with previous revelations and a fulfilment of past prophecies is another element of prophethood. Rather than contradicting previous revelations and prophecies, newer prophets would entirely fulfil the need for prophethood. One example found in the Holy Quran is where Allah affirms His previous word in the Torah through Hazrat Isaas (Jesus) and Yahyaas (John the Baptist).
The Torah prophecy is as follows: “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” (Malachi, 4: 5)
Now, due to this prophecy, one reason the Jews at the time of Hazrat Isaas rejected the claim of Jesus as their messiah, was because Elijah was required to descend amongst them. However, this did not happen in a physical sense. Elijah was not to be seen descending from the skies, and thus Jesusas was declared a false prophet. In response to the claims of the Jewish scholars, Jesusas replied:
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew, 12-15)
It is further stated:
“And they asked him, ‘Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?’”
“Jesus replied, ‘To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.’” (Mark, 9: 11-15)
Now, the Jews did not accept this. They were adamant about the physical re-appearance of Elijah. Then, it is the Holy Quran that dispels any doubts and testifies to the truth of Jesusas, as Allah says:
“And the angels called to him as he stood praying in the chamber: ‘Allah gives thee glad tidings of Yahya, who shall testify to the truth of a word from Allah — noble and chaste and a Prophet, from among the righteous.’” (Surah aal-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.40)
This is just one example demonstrating that these religions represent a continuation of one another. It follows logically that as people, societal norms, politics, global dynamics, and traditions evolve, so too must the Word of God be renewed. Just as institutions, whether human or animal, eventually face change or evolution, so does religion. Over time, scholars, teachers, and external forces contribute to these changes, sometimes distorting a religion from its original form.
Given this, why would an All-loving, Merciful, and Gracious God cease sending prophets? A true prophet would not reject the teachings of earlier religions but would instead seek to correct the errors and distortions that have naturally occurred over time, upholding the message of the prophets who preceded them. Or he would bring new law if the previous law have been ended by Allah.
Moreover, it’s important to recognise that there were likely tribes and isolated native societies with their own prophets, unrelated to the Abrahamic lineage. As the Quran states: “Every tribe and community was sent a Warner” (Surah Al-Fatir, Ch.35: V.25). These communities would have been taught the belief in one God, albeit with differing methods, laws and practices.
No personal gain
In prophethood, there will be an absence of personal gain. The Holy Quran explicitly repeats this theme, and in relation to Hazrat Nuhas (Noah), Hudas, Salihas, Lutas (Lot), and Shu’aibas, it mentions their saying:
“‘And I ask of you no reward for it. My reward is only with the Lord of the worlds.” (Surah ash-Shu‘ara’, Ch.26: V.110)
These verses address objections from those who claim that prophets seek to impose leadership upon their people. They clarify that prophets are not motivated by selfish desires, but instead, they stand as witnesses before God for their honesty and sincerity. (The Five Volume Commentary [2018], Vol. 4, p. 2620). When we reflect on the lives of prophets, particularly the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, it becomes strikingly evident that they had no desire for power. They actively refused offers of authority and leadership. Prophet Muhammadsa demonstrated through his actions, simplicity, and way of life that his intentions were not for power:
Hazrat Aishara narrated:
“The Prophet’s household would go for days without cooking food, and they survived on dates and water. Occasionally, they would receive a small amount of milk as a gift.” (Sahih Muslim, Book 42, Hadith 7105)
Hazrat Abu Hurairara narrated: “The Prophet used to distribute any charity or wealth that came to him among the people and kept nothing for himself. If he received food, he would eat it and share it with others, and if he received anything material, he would give it to those in need.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 24, Hadith 512)
It becomes evident that selflessness and the absence of personal gain are fundamental qualities of prophets. In the case of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, he not only refrained from personal gain but also shared all his wealth, food, and possessions with those in need.
Facing opposition
After claiming prophethood, each prophet will face retaliation and opposition. One example of this is from the life of Hazrat Musaas who was raised under the household of the Pharaoh, and was then forced to flee Egypt and was called a liar by Pharoah:
“And We did send Moses, with Our Signs and manifest authority, Unto Pharaoh and Haman and Korah; but they said, ‘[He is] a magician and an impostor.’” (Surah al-Mu’min, Ch.40: V.24-25)
The same is true for every prophet. Each prophet has faced such opposition who will be willing to persecute them and their people for their beliefs. Allah says:
“Even so there came no Messenger to those before them, but they said, ‘A sorcerer, or a madman!’” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, Ch.51: V.53)
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa faced the most fierce and severe opposition against enemies of Islam and his life history is proof of this.
A prophet is successful!
An essential characteristic of a true prophet is success. Consider the example of Prophet Muhammadsa. In his early life, he was a humble merchant, widely respected for his honesty and trustworthiness. Although involved in his community, the Prophetsa would often spend time in solitude and deep reflection. He led an extremely modest life, with little wealth, no power, or authority. Yet, from this humble state, Allah granted him both spiritual and worldly success. Allah said about the Prophetsa:
“Did He not find thee an orphan and give [thee] shelter? And He found thee wandering in search [for Him] and guided thee [unto Himself]. And He found thee in want and enriched [thee.]” (Surah Ad-Duha, Ch.93: V.7-9)
Further, Allah says:
“And remember [the time] when you were few [and] deemed weak in the land, [and] were in fear lest people should snatch you away, but He sheltered you and strengthened you with His help, and provided you with good things that you might be thankful.” (Surah al-Anfal, Ch.8: V.27)
These verses clearly illustrate the support that Allah gives a true messenger of His. Without the support of Allah, their missions would not succeed. Had the Holy Prophetsa (God forbid)been a false prophet, Allah says the results would have been thus:
“And if he had forged [and attributed] any saying to Us, We would have surely have seized him by the right hand, And then surely We would have severed his life-artery, and not one of you could have held [Us] off from him.” (Surah al-Haqqah, Ch.69: V.45-48)
This verse expresses the fate of any false prophet, that their message, work and mission would meet the fate of failure. Allah says:
فَمَنۡ اَظۡلَمُ مِمَّنِ افۡتَرٰی عَلَی اللّٰہِ کَذِبًا اَوۡ کَذَّبَ بِاٰیٰتِہٖ اِنَّہٗ لَا یُفۡلِحُ الۡمُجۡرِمُوۡنَ
“Who is then more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or he who treats His Signs as lies? Surely, the guilty shall never prosper.” (Surah Yunus, Ch.10: V.18)
The Five Volume Commentary of this verse states:
“This verse brings to light two eternal truths. The first of these is that both those who fabricate lies against God and those who reject and oppose His Messengers are highly unjust and can never escape God’s punishment. The second is that impostors and false prophets cannot succeed in fulfilling the object of their mission. It is indeed possible that a false prophet may temporarily succeed in securing a number of followers or in amassing wealth. But even in this case he will not be regarded as having succeeded in fulfilling his mission, because the amassing of wealth or the securing of a number of followers has never been the mission of a Prophet of God. The true mission of a Divine Messenger is either to introduce and establish a new Law or to strengthen the old one, and unless he succeeds in achieving this object, he cannot be said to have been successful in his mission. This is a criterion the truth of which cannot legitimately be disputed or denied. The apparent failure of a true Prophet like John the Baptist or the apparent success of a claimant like Baha’ullah can be fully explained with the help of this touchstone. John came with the mission of announcing the coming of the Messiah, which was in the nature of strengthening the old Law, and he was successful in that mission. On the other hand, Baha’ullah, even if he be taken to have come only as a Divine Messenger and not as God’s incarnation as he declared himself to be, claimed to have brought a new law that was to replace the Quranic Dispensation and therein he utterly failed, for his law has not been truly established even in a single household, not to speak of a whole people or country.” (The Five Volume Commentary [2018], Vol. 3, p. 1235-1236).
The role of a prophet
In Islam, a prophet is a person chosen by Allah who has the moral and spiritual capability to deliver unto their people the message of Allah.
Allah says:
مَا عَلَی الرَّسُوۡلِ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ وَاللّٰہُ یَعۡلَمُ مَا تُبۡدُوۡنَ وَمَا تَکۡتُمُوۡنَ
“On the Messenger lies only the conveying of the Message. And Allah knows what you reveal and what you hide.” (Surah Al Ma’idah, Ch.5: V.100)
The role of the prophet is to simply deliver the message of Allah. Furthermore, a prophet acts as a role model for their people. They are the manifestation of Allah’s commands and would be free of sin. This sinlessness of prophets is explained by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas in the following words:
“The wordjurm or sin is always used for such an offence which is deserving of punishment. However, dhanb is applicable also to human frailty. Hence, the word dhanb applies to Prophets due to their human weakness, but the word jurm is never applicable to them. No Prophet has ever been referred to as a sinner in the Book of God.” (The Honour of Prophets, p. 31)
To be sinless and exhibit high moral qualities is what makes a prophet honourable amongst their people, and it is proof to the people that the human being is capable of reaching such a level of morality and piety. As prophets are merely human, they are the perfect role model that people can relate to. They eat, drink, suffer, prosper, and pass away like any other human being – but their qualities are of such refinement that they are selected by Allah to show to their people that the true path to Allah is attainable.
Each role and job of a prophet will differ depending on the time and context. For example, Hazrat Adamas was sent as the first prophet for mankind and was a guide and example for his people. Hazrat Nuhas (Noah) was sent to bring his people out of the severe idolatry they had fallen into and to warn them of incoming disasters unless they turned back to monotheistic beliefs. Hazrat Musaas (Moses) was sent to liberate the Israelites from the oppression of Pharaoh, call people to worship of one God, deliver God’s message and establish the Torah. Hazrat Salihas was sent to guide the tribe of Thamud and turn them back to the worship of God and warn them of punishment. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa was then sent as the final law-bearing prophet for all mankind and provided the final guidance through the Holy Quran. So, as it is made clear to us, prophets have been sent for different reasons and different people.
Allah affirms in the Holy Quran that prophethood and the message of Allah is not bound to one nation or one tribe of people. It is a grave misunderstanding for someone to assume that the Creator of the universe would only send revelation and blessings upon one group of people. Allah says:
وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِیۡ کُلِّ اُمَّۃٍ رَّسُوۡلًا اَنِ اعۡبُدُوا اللّٰہَ وَاجۡتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوۡتَ فَمِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ ہَدَی اللّٰہُوَمِنۡہُمۡ مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَیۡہِ الضَّلٰلَۃُ فَسِیۡرُوۡا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ فَانۡظُرُوۡا کَیۡفَ کَانَ عَاقِبَۃُالۡمُکَذِّبِیۡنَ
“And We did raise among every people a Messenger, [preaching]: ‘Worship Allah and shun the Evil One.’ Then among them were [some] whom Allah guided and among them were [some] who became deserving of ruin. So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who treated [the Prophets] as liars!” (Surah an-Nahl, Ch.16: V.37)
Again, Allah says:
وَاِنۡ مِّنۡ اُمَّۃٍ اِلَّا خَلَا فِیۡہَا نَذِیۡرٌ
“And there is no people to whom a Warner has not been sent.” (Surah Fatir, Ch 35: V.25)
It is the Holy Quran that accepts all prophets of old and makes it imperative for Muslims to respect and revere all of them. All prophets up until the Holy Prophetsa were sent for their specific tribe and people. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa was the final law-bearing prophet who was to being the final and best law:
“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.’” (Surah al-A’raf, Ch.7: V.158)