THE GREAT
PROPHETS
OF GOD
In the Name of Allah,
the Most Gracious,
the Most Merciful
All Prophets and Messengers were sent
with one Message. God says:
“Or have they taken gods besides Him?
Say, [O Muhammad to them], ‘Produce
your proof. This [Qur’an] is the message
for those with me and the message of
THE GREAT
PROPHETS
OF GOD
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those before me.’ But most of them do
not know the truth, so they are turning
away. And We sent not before you any
messenger except that We revealed to
him that, ‘There is no deity except Me,
so worship Me.’” (Qur’an 21:24-25)
The belief in the Oneness of God was
the central message delivered by all
Prophets and Messengers to their
respective peoples. God, the Exalted,
says:
“He has ordained for you of religion
what He enjoined upon Noah and that
which We have revealed to you, [O
Muhammad], and what We enjoined
upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus -
to establish the religion and not be
divided therein. Difficult for those who
associate others with Allah is that to
which you invite them. Allah chooses for
Himself whom He wills and guides to
Himself whoever turns back [to Him].”
(Qur’an 42:13)
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01 THE PROPHET
NOAH
He is the first Messenger sent by God.
He was sent after his people began
practicing Shirk (polytheism). Their
condition deteriorated steadily and they
forgot the fundamentals of their faith
that were passed down to them by their
forefathers who upheld the creed of
Islam. God, the Exalted, says:
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“Indeed, We sent Noah to his people,
[saying], ‘Warn your people before there
comes to them a painful punishment.’”
(Qur’an 71:1)
They worshipped five idols named:
Wadd, Suwa’, Yaghuth, Ya’uq and Nasr.
Allah, the Exalted, clarifies their names
in the Qur’an saying:
“And they said, ‘Never leave your gods
and never leave Wadd or Suwa’ or
Yaghuth and Ya’uq and Nasr.’” (Qur’an
71:23)
The Prophet Noah was very pious and
truthful. He patiently called his people to
righteousness. He called on them using
a variety of different methods. God, the
Exalted, says:
“He said, ‘My Lord, indeed I invited my
people [to truth] night and day. But my
invitation increased them not except in
flight. And indeed, every time I invited
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them that You may forgive them, they put
their fingers in their ears, covered
themselves with their garments,
persisted, and were arrogant with [great]
arrogance. Then I invited them publicly.
Then I announced to them and [also]
confided to them secretly. And said, ‘Ask
forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is
ever a Perpetual Forgiver.’” (Qur’an 71:5-10)
In spite of his efforts, many of his people
turned away and rejected the Message.
Only a few followed him and the
disbelievers amongst his people continued
in their disbelief and evil ways. So Allah
prevented them from receiving any rain.
Noah informed them that if they were to
believe they would receive rain and so
they believed, but soon afterward they
returned to their disbelief. After spending
long years in calling them to the path of
Allah, but seeing no answer, he eventually
beseeched God, the Exalted, saying:
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“And Noah said, ‘My Lord, do not leave
upon the earth from among the
disbelievers an inhabitant. Indeed, if You
leave them, they will mislead Your
servants and not beget except [every]
wicked one and [confirmed] disbeliever.’”
(Qur’an 71:26-27)
Allah answered his supplications and
He ordered him to build an ark. Noah
was a skillful carpenter and those who
believed in the Message helped him.
Once the ark was complete, God
ordered Prophet Noah to gather a pair
of each animal (a male and female). God
then ordered the heavens to pour rain
and the earth to release the water within
it. God, the Exalted, says:
“The people of Noah denied before
them, and they denied Our slave and
said, ‘A madman,’ and he was repelled.
So he invoked his Lord, ‘Indeed, I am
overpowered, so help me.’ Then We
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opened the gates of the heaven with rain
pouring down. And caused the earth to
burst with springs, and the waters met
for a matter already predestined. And
We carried him on a [construction of]
planks and nails. Sailing under Our
observation as reward for he who had
been denied. And We left it as a sign, so
is there any who will remember?” (Qur’an
54:9-15)
The Prophet Noah had three
offspring: Sam was the father of the
Arabs, Ham was the father of the
Ethiopians and Yafith was the father of
the Europeans.
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02 THE PROPHET
ABRAHAM
(IBRAHIM)
He is known as Khalil ar-Rahman (The
Beloved Friend of God). His eldest son
was Ismail (Ishmael) and his second son
was Ishaq (Isaac), both prophets. From
their descendants came the majority of
Prophets and Messengers. Allah, the
Exalted, says:
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“Praise be to Allah, who has granted to
me in my old age Ishmael and Isaac.
Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of
supplication.” (Qur’an 14:39)
Allah chose him to deliver His message.
The Prophet Abraham was living in
a community of polytheists. They were
idolaters who worshipped the stars and
hand-made idols. Allah, the Exalted,
says:
“And [mention, O Muhammad], when
Abraham said to his father Azar, ‘Do you
take idols as deities? Indeed, I see you
and your people to be in manifest error.’
And thus did We show Abraham the
realm of the heavens and the earth that
he would be among the certain [in faith].
So when the night covered him [with
darkness], he saw a star. He said, ‘This
is my lord.’ But when it set, he said, ‘I like
not those that disappear.’ And when he
saw the moon rising, he said, ‘This is my
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lord.’ But when it set, he said, ‘Unless
my Lord guides me, I will surely be
among the people gone astray.’ And
when he saw the sun rising, he said,
‘This is my lord; this is greater.’ But when
it set, he said, ‘O my people, indeed I am
free from what you associate with Allah.
Indeed, I have turned my face toward He
who created the heavens and the earth,
inclining toward truth, and I am not of
those who associate others with Allah.’”
(Qur’an 6:74-79)
He was not happy with what he
witnessed from his people. He sensed
that there had to be a God who was
greater than what his people
worshipped. He knew that these idols
did not have the power to offer any
benefit or harm! Abraham would
frequently argue with his people using
logical arguments as to why these idols
did not deserve any reverence. He said,
as God tells us:
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“And recite to them the news of
Abraham, When he said to his father
and his people, ‘What do you worship?’
They said, ‘We worship idols and remain
to them devoted.’ He said, ‘Do they
hear you when you supplicate? Or do
they benefit you, or do they bring harm?’
They said, ‘But we found our fathers
doing thus.’ He said, ‘Then do you see
what you have been worshipping, You
and your ancient forefathers? Indeed,
they are enemies to me, except the Lord
of the worlds, Who created me, and He
[it is who] guides me. And it is He who
feeds me and gives me drink. And when
I am ill, it is He who cures me. And who
will cause me to die and then bring me
to life. And who I aspire that He will
forgive me my sin on the Day of
Recompense.’ [And he said], ‘My Lord,
grant me authority and join me with the
righteous.’” (Qur’an 26:69-83)
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The Prophet Abraham continued calling
his people to the path of Allah, to believe
in the Oneness of God and to leave
aside all that they worshipped. But they
rejected his message and even tried to
kill him, but Allah saved him. Allah tells
us about this, saying:
“He said, ‘Then do you worship instead
of Allah that which does not benefit you
at all or harm you? Uff to you and to
what you worship instead of Allah. Then
will you not use reason?’ They said,
‘Burn him and support your gods - if
you are to act.’ Allah said, ‘O fire, be
coolness and safety upon Abraham.’
And they intended for him harm, but We
made them the greatest losers.” (Qur’an
21: 66-70)
After continuous preaching, God
ordained that the Prophet Abraham take
his wife, Hajar, and their son, Ismail, to
Makkah. There, God ordained that he
build the Ka’bah. From the Prophet
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Ismail’s progeny came the final prophet
of God, the Prophet Muhammad, who
was sent to all of mankind. Allah, the
Exalted, says:
“And [mention] when Abraham said, ‘My
Lord, make this a secure city and provide
its people with fruits whoever of them
believes in Allah and the Last Day.’ [Allah]
said, ‘And whoever disbelieves - I will
grant him enjoyment for a little. Then I
will force him to the punishment of the
Fire, and wretched is the destination.’
And [mention] when Abraham was
raising the foundations of the House and
[with him] Ishmael, [saying], ‘Our Lord,
accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the
Hearing, the Knowing. Our Lord, and
make us Muslims [in submission] to You
and from our descendants a Muslim
nation [in submission] to You. And show
us our rites and accept our repentance.
Indeed, You are the Accepting of
repentance, the Merciful. Our Lord, and
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send among them a messenger from
themselves who will recite to them Your
verses and teach them the Book and
wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You
are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.’”
(Qur’an 2:126-129)
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03 THE PROPHET
MOSES
(MUSA)
“And when Moses arrived at Our
appointed time and his Lord spoke to
him, he said, ‘My Lord, show me
[Yourself] that I may look at You.’ [Allah]
said, ‘You will not see Me, but look at
the mountain. If it should remain in
place, then you will see Me.’ But when
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his Lord appeared to the mountain, it
was rendered dust, and Moses fell
unconscious. And when he awoke, he
said, ‘Exalted are You! I have repented
to You, and I am the first of the
believers.’” (Qur’an 7:143)
The Prophet Moses has been mentioned
in the Qur’an over 130 times, making
him the most mentioned prophet in the
Qur’an. God provided him with nine
miracles. The first was when his staff
was transformed into a serpent, by the
will of Allah. The second miracle was
when his hand shone forth with a
beautiful, radiant light. These signs were
granted to Moses so that he could
convince Pharaoh of the fallacies of his
ways and so that he would accept
Islam. Allah, the Exalted, says:
“And Moses said, ‘O Pharaoh, I am a
messenger from the Lord of the worlds.
Obligated not to say about Allah except
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the truth. I have come to you with clear
evidence from your Lord, so send with
me the Children of Israel.’ [Pharaoh]
said, ‘If you have come with a sign, then
bring it forth, if you be of the truthful.’ So
Moses threw down his staff, and
suddenly it was a serpent, manifest.
And he drew out his hand; it was white
[with radiance] for all to see.” (Qur’an
7:104-108)
Allah sent him to the Pharaoh of Egypt
and his people to call them to the belief
in the Oneness of Allah and to cast
aside all of their falsely worshipped
gods. God, the Exalted, says:
“And Pharaoh said, ‘O eminent ones, I
have not known you to have a god other
than me. Then ignite for me, O Haman, [a
fire] upon the clay and make for me a
tower that I may look at the God of Moses.
And indeed, I do think he is among the
liars.’” (Qur’an 28:38)
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Prophet Moses called the Pharaoh with
wisdom and beautiful words to believe
in the Oneness of Allah. But the Pharaoh
opposed him and gathered together all
of the sorcerers of that time to defeat
Moses. Moses, however, was victorious,
as his staff transformed, by the will of
Allah, into a snake and swallowed the
deceptions cast by the sorcerers. Allah
mentions this story to us:
“Said the eminent among the people of
Pharaoh, ‘Indeed, this is a learned
magician Who wants to expel you from
your land [through magic], so what do
you instruct?’ They said, ‘Postpone [the
matter of] him and his brother and send
to the cities gatherers who will bring you
every learned magician.’ And the
magicians came to Pharaoh. They said,
‘Certainly there is for us a reward if we
are the predominant?’ He said, “Yes,
and moreover you will be among those
made near [to me].’ They said, ‘O
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Moses, either you throw [your staff], or
we will be the ones to throw [first].’ He
said, ‘Throw,’ and when they threw,
they bewitched the eyes of the people
and struck terror into them, and they
presented a great [feat of] magic. And
We inspired to Moses, ‘Throw your
staff,’ and at once it devoured what they
were falsifying. So the truth was
established, and abolished was what
they were doing. And Pharaoh and his
people were overcome there and
became debased. And the magicians
fell down in prostration [to Allah].” (Qur’an
7:109-120)
The Pharaoh and his people disbelieved
in the Message of God, so God punished
them with a number of trials. He sent
upon them floods, locusts, lice, frogs,
and blood as signs. Still, they refused
and persisted in disbelief. Each
punishment was lifted by the blessing of
the supplication of Prophet Moses.
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Shortly after each event, they returned
and persisted in their disbelief. Allah
says about this:
“And they said, ‘No matter what sign you
bring us with which to bewitch us, we will
not be believers in you.’ So We sent upon
them the flood, locusts, lice, frogs and
blood as distinct signs, but they were
arrogant and were a criminal people. And
when the punishment descended upon
them, they said, ‘O Moses, invoke for us
your Lord by what He has promised you.
If you [can] remove the punishment from
us, we will surely believe you, and we will
send with you the Children of Israel.’ But
when We removed the punishment from
them until a term which they were to
reach, then at once they broke their word.”
(Qur’an 7:132-1355)
After all of this, Allah ordered the Prophet
Moses to take his people, under the
cover of night, and leave Egypt, so that
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they could practice their faith freely.
Once the Pharaoh realized that they had
left, he chased after them with his
troops. Moses and his people reached
the shores of the Red Sea, at which the
Children of Israel exclaimed, “The
Pharaoh will capture us!” Moses, who
had complete trust in God, struck his
staff on the water and the sea parted
into pathways through which his people
entered, by the will of Allah. Allah then
saved Moses and his people and
destroyed Pharaoh in the sea. God, the
Exalted, says:
“And when the two parties saw one
another, the companions of Moses said,
‘Indeed, we are to be overtaken!’ [Moses]
said, ‘No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He
will guide me.’ Then We inspired to Moses,
‘Strike with your staff the sea,’ and it
parted, and each portion was like a great
towering mountain. And We advanced
thereto the pursuers. And We saved
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Moses and those with him, all together.
Then We drowned the others.” (Qur’an
26:61-66)
God, the Exalted, then says:
“And We took the Children of Israel
across the sea, and Pharaoh and his
soldiers pursued them in tyranny and
enmity until, when drowning overtook
him, he said, ‘I believe that there is no
deity except that in whom the Children of
Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims.’
Now? And you had disobeyed [Him]
before and were of the corrupters? So
today We will save your body that you
may be to those who succeed you a
sign. And indeed, many among the
people, of Our signs, are heedless.”
(Qur’an 10:90-92)
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04 THE PROPHET
صلى الله عليه وسلم MUHAMMAD
is the last of صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet Muhammad
the Prophets and Messengers. He was
sent by God to all of mankind. He is from
the family of the Prophet Ishmael, the son
of Abraham. He was born in Makkah, a
few months after the death of his father.
His mother later died while he was still
young, and he was cared for by his
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Grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, and later by
his uncle Abu Talib.
was a صلى الله عليه وسلم The Prophet Muhammad
shepherd taking care of a flock of sheep
in Makkah. He was very well-known for
being trustworthy and having never told
a lie in his life. The people of Makkah
even called him “The Truthful” and “The
Trustworthy”. Whenever people left for a
trip, they would entrust him with their
valuables.
When he reached the age of 40, God sent
the Angel Gabriel to him and appointed
Muhammad as a Prophet and Messenger
to mankind. He spent 13 years in Makkah
calling people to the path of God and later
on migrated to Madinah. The people of
Madinah responded and accepted Islam
in droves. He died when he was 63 years
old. His followers then spread the Message
of Islam across the world, and until today
people are accepting Islam in large
numbers across the globe.
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05 JESUS, THE
MESSENGER
OF GOD
Family of Imran
Prophets and Messengers were sent by
God continuously after the Prophet
Noah, may God praise him. God, the
Exalted, says:
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“Muhammad is not the father of [any]
one of your men, but [he is] the
Messenger of God and last of the
prophets. And ever is God, of all things,
Knowing.” (Qur’an 33:40)
The Prophet Jesus, the last Prophet
from the Children of Israel, has a special
place in the hearts of Muslims. He
informed his people of the advent of
and he is صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet Muhammad
mentioned in the Qur’an 25 times.
God has conveyed to us in the Qur’an
some of the original passages that He
revealed to Jesus. God also mentions
details about the life of Mary, the mother
of Jesus. She is spoken of highly and is
known for being pure and chaste. God,
the Exalted, says:
“Indeed, God chose Adam and Noah
and the family of Abraham and the family
of ‘Imran over the worlds. Descendants,
some of them from others. And God is
Hearing and Knowing.” (Qur’an 3:33-34)
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Mary, may God praise her
God has praised Mary, the mother of
the Prophet Jesus. God describes
Maryam as pure, chaste and pious. He,
the Exalted, says:
“And [the example of] Mary, the daughter
of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity, so
We blew into [her garment] through Our
angel, and she believed in the words of
her Lord and His scriptures and was of
the devoutly obedient.” (Qur’an 66:12)
The Qur’an clarifies that the birth of
Mary was the result of a supplication
that her own mother made. God, the
Exalted, says:
“[Mention, O Muhammad], when the
wife of ‘Imran said, ‘My Lord, indeed I
have pledged to You what is in my
womb, consecrated [for Your service],
so accept this from me. Indeed, You are
the Hearing, the Knowing.’” (Qur’an 3:35)
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This supplication was the indirect cause
through which she and her offspring
were protected by God from the Devil.
God provided for Mary and reared her
with His blessings. Allah says:
“But when she delivered her, she said,
‘My Lord, I have delivered a female.’
And God was most aware of what she
delivered, indeed the male is not like the
female. ‘And I have named her Mary,
and I seek refuge for her in You and [for]
her descendants from Satan, the
expelled [from the mercy of God].’ So
her Lord accepted her with good
acceptance, caused her to grow in a
good manner and put her in the care of
Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered
upon her in the prayer chamber, he
found with her provision. He said, ‘O
Mary, from where is this [coming] to
you?’ She said, ‘It is from God. Indeed,
God provides for whom He wills without
account.’” (Qur’an 3:36-37)
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Mary was very pious in her worship of
God. She was the best of women in her
generation. The Prophet, may God
praise him, said:
“From among the women of the world
who have reached perfection and who
are worthy of following are: Mary, the
daughter of Imrân; Khadijah, the
daughter of Khuwaylid; Fatima, the
daughter of Muhammed and Asiyah,
the wife of Pharaoh.” (Tirmidhi).
God, the Exalted, says:
“And [mention] when the angels said, ‘O
Mary, indeed God has chosen you and
purified you and chosen you above the
women of the worlds. O Mary, be
devoutly obedient to your Lord and
prostrate and bow with those who bow
[in prayer].’” (Qur’an 3:42-43)
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God revealed an entire chapter in the
Qur’an carrying her name. It is the 19th
chapter in the Qur’an. It is the only
chapter in the Qur’an named after a
woman, and in it God praises Mary. A
praise of a similar nature cannot be
found in any of the previous Scriptures.
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To download and read the complete book,
click on the cover picture here.
This is an excerpt
of a larger book titled
“Jesus in the Quran”
by Abd Ar-Rahman
bin Abd Al-Kareem Ash-Sheha.
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