The Second Degree of Islam - Part Three

Belief in the Messengers

It is believed that Allah sent messengers to His creation to offer them glad tidings of Paradise if they believe in Allah and believe in the messengers, and to warn them of punishment if they disobey. Allah says, “And verily, We have sent among every nation a Messenger (proclaiming): Worship Allah (alone) and avoid all false deities.” (Holy Quran 6:155)

“Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning so that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the coming of the Messenger.” (Holy Quran 4:165)

These messengers are many. The first of them is Noah, and the last of them is Muhammad. There are many of them whom Allah told us stories about, like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, David, John, Zachariah, and Salih.

There are also some about whom Allah tells nothing. Allah says, “And messengers We have mentioned to you before, and messengers We have not mentioned to you.” (Holy Quran 4:164)

All these messengers were humans created by Allah. They possessed nothing of the qualities of Lordship or Godship. Therefore, no act of worship should be directed to them, for they could provide neither harm nor benefit.

Allah Almighty says about Prophet Noah: “And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allah, nor that I know the Unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel.” (Holy Quran 6:50)

God Almighty also says, “I possess no power over benefit or hurt to myself except as Allah wills.” (Holy Quran 7:188)

The prophets are therefore honored slaves, whom Allah chose and honored with the Message and described as His slaves. Their religion is Islam, and Allah will not accept any other religion besides it. Allah Almighty says, “Verily, the religion with Allah is Islam.” (Holy Quran 3:19)

The basic messages of the prophets were one, but their laws differed. Allah says, “To each among you We have prescribed a law and a clear way.” - (Holy Quran 5:48)

The final of all these laws is that of Muhammad (PBUH). It abrogates all other previous laws. His message is the last of all divine messages, and he is the last of all messengers. Whoever believes in a prophet among them should believe in all of them, and whoever denies any one of them has denied all of them, for all prophets and messengers call to the belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the last day, and because their religion is one. So he who disbelieves in others has disbelieved in all of them, for every one of them is called to believe in all prophets and messengers.

Allah Almighty says, “The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers.” (Holy Quran 2:285)

God Almighty also says, “Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and wish to make a distinction between Allah and His Messengers, saying, ‘We believe in some (Messengers) but reject others and wish to adopt a way in between. They are, in truth, disbelievers. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating torment.” (Holy Quran 4:150-151)