Role + importance of the prophets

Question 1

Who was Adam?

Answer 1

• Allah’s first creation
• Created from clay
• Made in Allah’s image
• Given the ability to reason and make choices
• Allah’s khalifa

Question 2

What is a khalifa?

Answer 2

Someone who acts for Allah on Earth.

Question 3

Who bowed to Adam and who did not?

Answer 3

Angels bowed to respect Adam as he answered all the questions that Allah asked him. Only Iblis (Satan) did not bow as he believed himself to be better than Adam since he was made from fire, not clay.

Question 4

What happened to Adam after he was disobedient?

Answer 4

Allah sent him out of al-Jannah (paradise) to live on Earth. But Allah promised to give his guidance so that Adam could be obedient to him.

Question 5

Who are all humans descendants from?

Answer 5

Adam and his wife, Hawwa (Eve)

Question 6

Who was Ibrahim?

Answer 6

• The father of the Arab people + prophets

- A Hanif: believer in one god

Question 7

How did Allah test Ibrahim’s devotion?

Answer 7

By telling Ibrahim to sacrifice his first-born son Isma’il. Iblis told him 3 times not to do this, but Ibrahim was prepared to follow Allah’s instructions.

Question 8

What did Allah provide as an alternative instead of Isma’il?

Answer 8

A ram as an alternative sacrifice, once Ibrahim had shown his willingness to do whatever Allah asked.

Question 9

What do Muslims honour about Ibrahim?

Answer 9

His life of commitment to the faith. Part of hajj commemorates aspects of his life.

Question 10

What is Ibrahim recognised as?

Answer 10

The father of monotheism. The Qur’an calls Ibrahim ‘a friend’ of Allah.

Question 11

Who is Isma’il?

Answer 11

• The son of Ibrahim as a blessing from Allah

- At Allah’s request, he was left with his mother in a deserted place, now known as Makkah.

Question 12

What happened where Isma’il kicked his heel?

Answer 12

When all their food and water ran out, water miraculously sprang up from the ground where he kicked his heel.

Question 13

What happened after Isma’il’s mother’s death?

Answer 13

Ibrahim visited Isma’il and together they built the Kaaba (now at the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, centre of Islam).

Question 14

What happened to Musa?

Answer 14

Allah instructed Musa’s mother to place him in a basket in the Nile in order to avoid being killed by the pharaoh. Musa was found by the pharaoh’s wife and miraculously she hired Musa’s mother as his nanny.

Question 15

What do Muslims believe this demonstrates? (Musa’s story)

Answer 15

Demonstrates Allah’s care over Musa and his power to protect whom he chooses.

Question 16

Who did Musa become?

Answer 16

The leader of the Israelites under the guidance of Allah.

Question 17

Through Allah, what did Musa do?

Answer 17

Musa freed the Israelite slaves from the power of the pharaoh, causing his ruin.

Question 18

What did Allah reveal to Musa?

Answer 18

The Tawrat (Torah), and gave him the Ten Commandments.

Question 19

How does the Qur’an record Musa?

Answer 19

As a grateful servant of Allah and he is given honour by Allah.

Question 20

Who was Dawud (David)?

Answer 20

• A prophet

- Eventually King of the Israelites (position given to him by Allah)

Question 21

What heroic things did Dawud do?

Answer 21

Killed the giant Goliath, part of the Philistine army, when the rest of the Israelite army were too scared to fight him. The philistines ran from the Israelites after this defeat.

Question 22

What is the story of Talut (Saul) and Dawud?

Answer 22

Talut (Saul), king at the time, rewarded Dawud and made him commander of the army, but Talut soon became jealous of Dawud. When Talut was killed by his enemies, the Israelites agreed that Dawud should become king.

Question 23

What happened under the reign of King Dawud?

Answer 23

The nation of Israel prospered and they lived with a fear and respect for Allah. They worshipped Allah as the one true God.

Question 24

What was revealed to Dawud by Allah?

Answer 24

The Zabur, or book of Psalms. The book contains lessons of guidances for the Israelites.

Question 25

What did Isa do?

Answer 25

• Spoke while still in the cradle
• Performed many miracles, e.g. healing and raising the dead
• In the Qur’an he foretold the coming of the prophet Muhammad.

Question 26

What do Sunni Muslims believe about Isa?

Answer 26

That he is the Messiah (or Mahdi) who will return on the Day of Resurrection at the end of the world and bring together true Muslims.

Question 27

What is the Hadith?

Answer 27

Sayings of Muhammad

Question 28

What will Isa do according to the Hadith?

Answer 28

Isa will establish Islam in the end times, making war until all religions expect Islam are destroyed.

Question 29

What do Muslims believe about Isa?

Answer 29

He did not die, instead Allah took him into his presence. However Isa was not divine, just chosen to deliver a message like the other prophets.

Question 30

Key Quote Surah 21:105 (al-Anbiya)

Answer 30

‘And We have already written in the book (of Psalms) after the (previous) mention that the land (of Paradise) is inherited by My righteous servants.’

Question 31

Surah 5:78 (al-Ma’idah)

Answer 31

‘Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and (habitually) transgressed.’

Question 32

Surah 46:9 (al-Ahqaf)

Answer 32

‘Say, “I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.”’

Question 33

Surah 73:15

Answer 33

‘But Pharaoh disobeyed the messenger, so We seized hm with a ruinous seizure.’