Prophethood (Risalah)

Question 1

What is Risalah?

Answer 1

• Prophethood, communication between Allah and man in the form of books, angels and prophets

Question 2

What are some Muslim beliefs about prophets?

Answer 2

• Chosen by Allah to teach, guide, train people to follow him
• Human, not to be worshipped
• Guidance on how to follow Allah, and live in way that pleases him
• All equal, no one is more significant / important
• Sent back to nations so people can be brought to follow Allah’s will (Qur’an 10:47)
• Adam was first prophet, Muhammad was final prophet:
  Surah 33:41 - “seal of the prophets” is Muhammad, through him Qur’an is revealed

Question 3

What are the other books revealed to the prophets?

Answer 3

1. the Tawrat (Torah) of Musa, revealed to Moses
2. the Zabur (Psalms) of Dawud, revealed to David
3. the Injil (Gospel) of Isa, revealed to Jesus
4. Suhuf Ibrahim (Scrolls of Abraham), revealed to Abraham

Question 4

Role and importance of Adam

Answer 4

• First prophet
• Angels questioned Allah, “Will you place therein such as will cause disorder in it or shed blood?”
• Allah’s khalifa (someone who acts for Allah on earth)
• Mislead by Iblis (Satan) who thought he was better than Adam (made from fire, not clay) and seeks to misguide descendents
• Sent out of al-Jannah (heaven) for sin, and received forgiveness from Allah

Question 5

Role and importance of Ibrahim

Answer 5

• “a man of truth” Qur’an 19:41
• Hanif, believer in one God
• Had Is’mail with Hajar (second wife), Father of the Arab People
• Sacrifice of son as test of faith, Allah provided ram as alternative
• “Allah did take Ibrahim for a friend” Qur’an 4:125
• End of Salah (prayer), Muslims recite du’a’ asking Allah to bless Ibrahim and family

Question 6

Role and importance of Isma’il

Answer 6

• First son of Ibrahim as a blessing from Allah (Qur’an 37:100)
• Isma’il kicked ground with heel and water spurted up (eighth time Hajar went to fetch water)
• Build Kaaba in Makkah (site of pilgrimage)
• Muhammad came from Ishmaelite tribe

Question 7

Role and importance of Musa

Answer 7

• Moses story basket in the Nile, shows Allah’s care and power to protect
• Frees the Israelite slaves, causes Pharoah’s ruin (Surah 73:15)
• Revealed Tawrat to Musa and gave Ten commandments
• Surah 33:69 “Believers do not be like those who annoyed Moses. God proved him to be innocent of what they had said about him. And he was an honourable person in the sight of God.”

Question 8

Role and importance of Dawud

Answer 8

• Killed giant Goliath, part of Philistine army when rest of Israelites were too scared
• King Saul rewarded him and made him commander, then was killed from jealousy
• Became king of the Israelites
• book of Psalms, revealed to him by Allah

Question 9

Role and importance of Isa

Answer 9

• Spoke in cradle
• Miracle performer
• Sunni Muslims think Isa is the Messiah (Mahdi) who will return on Day of Resurrection and bring true Muslims
• Hadith says Isa will establish Islam over other religions
• Did not die, taken into Allah’s presence
• Surah 61:6 - “I am the messenger of Allah…giving Glad Tidings of a Messenger…whose name shall be Ahmad”

Question 10

Role and importance of Muhammad

Answer 10

• al-Amin (“the trustworthy”)
• As-Sadiq (“the truthful”)
• “seal of the prophets”, Qur’an provided direct, unchanged, final revelation of Allah
• The Night of Power (during Ramadan, cave, first revealed verses)
• The Night Journey (spiritual experience, to kingdom of God)
• The Hijrah (emigration) to Medinah, reclaimed Mecca and now Muslim holy city
• Mount of Mercy, “You have fulfilled it, O messenger of Allah” farewell speech