PILLARS OF IMAN (4): BELIEF IN ALLAH’S MESSENGERS
INTRODUCTION
Although generations of humans after Ādam A.S departed from the right path, Allah S.W.T did not leave them to suffer in states of disbelief and ignorance. He did not destroy them or force them to take the right course. Instead, he sent messengers from amongst mankind to provide them with knowledge of Allah, his attributes and His laws and to guide them back to the right path.
Allah S.W.T has made belief in all his prophets and messengers a condition of imān. Therefore, he who does not believe in their message and their truthfulness, does not believe in Allah.
PURPOSE
Allah S.W.T sent many thousands of prophets and messengers throughout the ages. All of them brought the same message, and advocated the same way of Life. They all called people to Islam, the attitude of complete submission to the will of Allah.
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوت ..
And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], “Worship Allah (alone) and avoid Taghut”.(everything that is worshipped instead or besides Allah- can refer to idols, tyrants ).
Despite differences with regard to particular laws and legislations the prophets brought to their people, one principle they all had in common was Tawheed, that all acts of worship should be devoted solely to Allah S.W.T and all those worshipped besides him should be rejected.
By sending messengers, Allah S.W.T establishes proof against humanity so that they will not be able to claim ignorance on the day of judgment.
رُّسُلًا مُّبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after the messengers. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise (Al Maida 4:16).
Another purpose of sending messengers is providing humanity with living, practical example of how to lead moral, righteous and purposeful lives that are free of doubts and confusion.
Imān in the Messengers entails that We believe in all (25) that are mentioned by name in the Qur’an, such as Muhammad, Ibrahim and Nuh. We also hold a general belief in the other 1000s not mentioned by name.
We believe they were sent as Bringers of Glad Tidings and Warners and faithfully delivered the message without hiding, altering or corrupting anything. (Refer to verse 4:165)
Allah S.W.T says in Surah Al-Ankabut: “And there is not upon the Messenger except [the duty of] clear notification.”
Another reason Allah S.W.T sent thousands of prophets to humanity is to clarify to them the purpose of their creation –
Worshipping Allah and obeying his commands. They also clarified to them that this life is a test for each individual and how they perform in it will determine which type of life they will lead after death; a life of eternal bliss or eternal misery.
CONCLUSION
Lastly, Allah S.W.T sent the Seal of the prophets, Muhammad S.A.W.S to complete the mission of the earlier prophets and messengers. But unlike those before him, he was sent with a message applicable for all time, people and places; hence, being the last and final messenger.
Since Allah S.W.T has promised that the teachings of Muhammad S.A.W.S will never undergo change and will always be preserved in their original language and in their primary sources – the Qur’an and Sunnah, there is no need for another prophet. The Qur’an and the Sunnah are God’s constitution for human life for as long as people continue to live on earth.