Prophets are the Best of Mankind

1. Prophets are the Best of Mankind

2. All Prophets Were Human Beings • They were noble and pious role models. • They were not divine, angels or jinn. • Apart from Isa (who had no father) and Adam (who had no parents), all prophets were born to a father and a mother. • Prophets were part of normal families. • But they were faithful, honest, patient, tolerant and honorable. • None of them had committed sins.

3. All Prophets Were Men • Prophethood was a serious responsibility. • It required a great deal of perseverance and strength. • Some prophets got killed like Zakariyya and Yahya. • Prophet Yousuf was put in prison for many years. • Almost all prophets were persecuted and harassed.

4. All Prophets Were Men • وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَىٰ ۗ (يوسف) • “And We have not sent before you but men from (among) the people of the towns, to whom We sent revelations.” [12:109]

5. How Were They Appointed? • Allah sent angels to inform them. • Prophet Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّم received the message through Jibreel in the Cave Hiraa’. • Allah spoke to them directly. • Prophet Musa عليه السّلام was addressed by Allah when he went to a desert valley. • All Prophets preached Tawheed. • None of them claimed to be divine or God-like.

6. Characteristics of the Prophets • They were the best in their communities. • They were most moral and most intelligent. • They had a pleasant personality. • Their life had to serve as a model for all. • They came from well-known and highly respected families. • They came from great lineage. • They possessed strong personalities.

7. Characteristics of the Prophets • They had to tolerate opposition from fierce enemies. • They had to be patient and tolerant. • Bringing people to the right path took a long time. • Muhammad SAW was persecuted and ridiculed by his own people. • Noohعليه السّلام taught for more than 900 years but his message was accepted by less than 100 people.

8. Prophets and Miracles • Prophets were given miracles which served various purposes: • To serve as a proof of Allah’s greatness and power. • Allah caused the great flood in the time of Prophet Noohعليه السّلام, which destroyed all of the evil disbelievers.

9. Prophets and Miracles • To help the prophets in times of danger or trouble. • The huge fire lit for Prophet Ibrahim عليه السّلام was unable to harm him. • To prove that the prophet is a true prophet. • Prophet Isa عليه السّلام could heal the sick from incurable diseases and raise the dead.

10. Respecting Our Prophets • The prophets worked hard to bring Allah’s message to mankind. • Some of them even sacrificed their lives. • Believing in the prophets is one of the pillars of Iman. • Therefore, they deserve our love, respect and appreciation. • Holding emotions for them in our hearts is not enough, we shoul fulfill our duties towards them.

11. Our Duties Towards Prophets • Believing in and admiring these great human beings. • To follow their guidance and manners. • Making a prayer for them when their name is mentioned. • Not portraying their images or pictures or impersonating them in any way.

12. Faith in Action • Always show love and respect for all the Prophets of Allah. • Always follow the Sunnah and manners of Prophet Muhammad. • Say ‘SallallahuAlayhiwaSallam’ or ‘Alayhis-Salam’ whenever you hear or say the name of Prophet Muhammad or other prophets.

13. Assignment • Explain how prophets were ordinary men. • Who is the prophet that didn’t die? What will happen to him? • What were the two ways in which these men learned that they were prophets? • Why did Allah provide hid prophets with miracles? • What are some of the characteristics of a prophet?

14. Assignment • Write at least three significant qualities of Prophet Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّم. • List three ways that reflect how Muslims show respect to the prophets.