Introduction

The purpose of life is to seek nearness to God and lose oneself in Him through worship (Haquq Allah) and service to humanity (Haquq Al’abad). Central to this pursuit are prophets, chosen by Almighty Allah to provide this guidance to all mankind. God has sent noble messengers to every nation throughout history, as stated in the Holy Qur’an: “And for every people there is a Messenger” (1). Islam acknowledges the status of thousands of prophets, including those named in the Holy Qur’an such as Abraham (as), Moses (as), David (as), and Jesus (as), as well as others who are not mentioned, like Confucius (as), Krishna (as), and Zoroaster (as).

A sincere belief in prophets is a fundamental part of Islam and constitutes one of the six articles of faith. Prophets are universal to all religions and serve as an intermediary between the Divine and man. Due to their profound role and esteemed status, prophets may seem like mystifying figures who achieved an unattainable status of virtue in their lifetime. Nevertheless, we can recognize their humanizing side and emulative qualities by understanding their lives and mission.

Submission / Righteousness

Submission to the will of Allah is the foundation of prophethood and is exemplified by a prophet’s actions. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah enjoins, “And who is better in faith than he who submits himself to Allah, and he is a doer of good, and follows the religion of Abraham, the upright? And Allah took Abraham for a special friend” (2). The specific example of Prophet Abraham (as) and his willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael demonstrates a complete surrender to God. Each year, Muslims commemorate the extraordinary example of Prophet Abraham (as) through Eid-Al-Adha (the festival of sacrifice). This holy celebration recognizes the deep and abiding submission of prophets to Allah’s providence. It inspires the Muslim community to reflect on sacrifices in their own lives and surrender to Allah’s divine plan.

There are a myriad of references to the unwavering dedication of prophets to Allah, which serve as a model for believing people. The greatest exemplar, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), consistently performed his daily prayers during the most challenging times, including moments of battle and personal hardships. He took every opportunity to demonstrate to his followers the affirming benefits of spiritual submission and his love for God above all else.

The narrative of Prophet Job (as) provides another touching example of righteousness and trust in Allah amidst adversity. He was stricken with multiple calamities, including the loss of his wealth, children, and health. As noted in the Holy Qur’an, he prayed, “Affliction has touched me, and Thou art the Most Merciful of all who show mercy” (3). Despite enduring such immense trials, he remained steadfast in his faith through acts of worship and eventually regained his losses. This account demonstrates an enduring lesson in patience and unwavering belief applicable to our daily struggles, including financial hardships, war, discrimination, and global illnesses.

Humility / Forgiveness

The Holy Qur’an is a guide for all people through which Allah highlights the lives and works of His prophets, including their struggles, challenges, and vulnerabilities. By creating this definitive resource, He enshrines these prophets as models of worship and service to humanity for all future generations. The transparency of these examples deepens our trust in the prophets and dispels any myth or mystery about them. Despite being chosen by God for a divine purpose, prophets are mortal people and possess human agency. They acknowledge their imperfections and seek forgiveness and fortitude, exemplifying the highest moral standards.

The Holy Prophet (sa) is a paragon of righteousness among all prophets, as his words and actions are a spiritual guide for all mankind. Despite this lofty status, Allah guides on the importance of making collective decisions through mutual consensus and agreement (Shura) for matters that affect the entire community (4). This highlights the importance of humility in matters of governance and decision-making, fostering unity and collective wisdom in society.

All prophets emphasized the importance of a balanced and holistic approach to daily living. They taught principles of moderation in spiritual, physical, and social aspects of life. The Holy Prophet (sa) always modeled the importance of prayer but also recognized the balance between faith and worldly matters such as maintaining restorative sleep and personal hygiene.

The tumultuous journey of Prophet Jonah (as) is a powerful reminder of the human fallibility of prophets. In a state of frustration, he prematurely left his intended mission and boarded a ship. He was cast into the sea and then swallowed by a large fish (5). Upon realizing his shortcomings, Prophet Jonah (as) sought repentance through prayer. Allah granted His mercy, and he eventually emerged physically unharmed but spiritually transformed by the ordeal. This example demonstrates that no being, including prophets, is exempt from seeking repentance from Allah.

Another example is that of Prophet Moses (as), who faced the daunting responsibility of liberating his people from Pharoah’s oppression. However, he initially expressed concerns regarding his severe speech impediment. He prayed to Allah to relieve the issue for fear that his message would not be delivered (6). In response to his supplications, Allah empowered Prophet Moses (as) with the requisite eloquence, enabling him to convey Allah’s message despite his physical ailment.

Throughout time, we have observed prophets face undue resistance from disbelievers in attempts to hinder the delivery of His message, reinforcing their human struggles. Prophet Noah (as) was mocked, ridiculed, and harassed for preaching righteousness to his people (7). He pleaded with them to end idolatry and embrace Allah, and in turn, received death threats by stoning (8). Prophet Noah (as) remained determined to deliver his message, even when his son chose the path of the disbelievers and perished in the flood waters (9).

Furthermore, the complex familial challenges of marriage and parenting are evident in the lives of prophets. Allah relates the journey of Prophet Zakariya (as), who prayed for progeny despite his advanced age and his wife’s infertility (10). Allah rewarded them with the miraculous birth of a son named Yahya, who, too, was chosen to be a righteous prophet. This highlights that through resolute commitment, as exemplified by the prophets, even seemingly impossible requests may be granted.

Service to Humanity / Social Justice

Prophets serve as guides for social justice and advocacy for their people. The Holy Prophet (sa) implemented reformation to fight oppression and promote fairness, especially among marginalized populations (11). He established social reforms by advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable groups, including the destitute, widows, and slaves (12). He carried forward the message of Allah with specific instructions on the property rights of orphans and the dowries of women. He created communities with shared values that diminished the economic inequality inherent to tribalism.

The influence of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) covenants is also evident in the modern legal systems, including the Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father and third President of the United States owned his own Holy Qur’an, which he used as a guide for his works. Similarly, John Adams described the Holy Prophet (sa) as a “sober inquirer of truth,” citing him as a model for justice and equality in diverse social communities (13).

Prophet Jesus (as) was an outspoken critic of corruption and preached equality through compassion and mercy; he was especially considerate of those neglected by society due to diseases such as leprosy and blindness (14). Prophet Moses (as) resisted against the tyrant ruler of Egypt and championed justice and freedom for his people. He made great sacrifices and endured hardships in his commitment to equality and guided them on a path of morality (15). Every prophet demonstrated service to humanity as a core tenet of their faith. We see that prophets used their positions of authority to advocate for the rights and dignity of all mankind, demonstrating true altruism and leadership.

Compassion / Kindness

A compassionate and kind nature is a defining characteristic of prophets. The Holy Prophet (sa) exemplified empathy for all beings, including his enemies. He prayed for the forgiveness of his oppressors, reflecting his mercy as per the teachings of Islam. He also extended his empathy towards all living creatures, including animals, condoning their mistreatment, including physical abuse and starvation. He also promoted the humane slaughtering of animals. The Holy Prophet (as) narrates: “A woman was punished for maltreating a cat. She had imprisoned the cat; neither gave any food to her nor let her free so that it could eat something from outside. For this reason, the woman was put in the fire” (16).

The story of Prophet Joseph (as) provides an example of forgiveness and compassion towards his brothers who had wronged him. Prophet Joseph (as) forgave his family members and even extended help when they faced famine and drought (17). This gentle and compassionate nature of prophets allowed them to engage with their followers. This promoted unity and harmony in society and within families while fostering dialogue and a deeper understanding of God’s message.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the prophets of Allah are exemplars of His message of love and mercy, guiding mankind through their words and actions. They embody the principles of righteousness, humility, forgiveness, and service. His Holiness Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) eloquently stated that a prophet always converses with the Almighty: “O God! I love You and seek Your pleasure. Shower me with such grace that I may reach the point and station, which is the station of Your pleasure. Grant me the ability to perform such deeds that are pleasing in Your estimation. Open the eyes of the people so that they recognize You and fall at Your threshold” (18). Prophets provide a spiritual framework to live a fulfilling life. By studying and gaining a deeper insight into their teachings, we can appreciate their commitment to faith and create a better world for ourselves and generations to come.

References

1. The Holy Qur’an 10:48

2. The Holy Qur’an 5:126

3. The Holy Qur’an 17:84

4. The Holy Qur’an 42:39

5. The Holy Qur’an 37:140-149

6. The Holy Qur’an 20:26-29

7. The Holy Qur’an 11:26-32

8. The Holy Qur’an 26:117

9. The Holy Qur’an 11:43-47

10. The Holy Qur’an 19:3-13

11. The Holy Qur’an 4:136

12. The Holy Qur’an 2:178

13. Spellberg, Denise A. Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an: Islam and the Founders. Vintage Books, 2014.

14. The Holy Qur’an 5:111-115

15. The Holy Qur’an 20:47-79

16. Muslim Kitab Qatlil Hayat sa Ghairiha, Bab Tahrim Qatlil Hirrah.

17. The Holy Qur’an 12:91-94

18. Ahmad, Mirza Ghulam. “Malfuzat: Volume II, Sayings and Discourses of the Promised Messiah.” p. 75. Islam International Publications Limited, 2019.