[UNDER CONSTRUCTION]
There are 25 prophets mentioned by name in the Qur’an. These prophets were people who had the highest level of character and morals, and who were sanctioned by God to guide their people and teach them that there is only one God and that all acts of worship and devotion must be directed to God alone.
Muslim scholars differ as to the estimated number of prophets that were sent throughout human history. The Qur’an explicitly states that there are prophets sent to mankind whose names were not mentioned in the Qur’an.
“We did aforetime send messengers before thee: of them there are some whose story We have related to thee, and some whose story We have not related to thee. …” Qur’an. Chapter 40 : Verse 78
Based on this verse, some scholars take a conservative approach and refer to biblical traditions to conclude that the number of prophets were in the hundreds. While other scholars rely on a saying that is attributed to the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which states that there were hundreds of thousands of prophets. Not all prophets spoke the same language, but they all conveyed the same message; which is submission to One God.
Prophets and messengers were all distinguished people in their societies, and they all led their lives according to rules and principles that were divinely guided. Muslim scholars have concluded that there is a difference between the labels of “prophet” and “messenger”. Prophets are those who receive divine revelation from God and relay it to their people; While messengers are those prophets who were instructed by God to convey not just divine revelation, but to also convey a complete legal system that their people were required to follow. All prophets and messengers warned their people of the danger of rejecting the divine revelations.
Prophets always lived in their societies, and were its most outstanding and morally upright members. They taught principles of justice and mercy, perseverance and patience. It was their teachings that provided remedies for the spiritual ills of society, gave people hope, and gave them glad tidings of an afterlife of bliss for those who believe in God and do righteous deeds. They are regarded as the true reformers of humankind, and are examples for all to emulate and follow. Some prophets were accepted or tolerated by their people, while others were rejected, exiled or even killed.
Due to differences in culture and customs, some societies was given different laws and rules to follow. The religious guidance sent to each society was unique to their culture and customs. But it was always designed by God to test the people. God’s guidance is sent to challenge people and societies to obey the commands of God.
“The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah–that which We have sent by inspiration to thee–and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: namely, that ye should remain steadfast in Religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).” Qur’an, Chapter 42 : Verse 13
The uniqueness of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is that even though he was sent as a messenger to the Arabs, his message and the divine revelation given to him was intended for all of humanity. He is regarded as the final prophet, bringing closure to a long history of prophets. No new prophet will come after him.
The Arabic word “Islam” means submission, and is what was taught by all prophets. It is a belief system that empowers its followers to develop a direct relationship with God, and to break free from intermediaries or religious hierarchies that are artificially put in place and impede a person’s pursuit of God. And so in the broad sense of the word, all prophets taught their people “Islam” which means to submit to the One God.