Prophethood
Definition and Scope
Prophethood (Arabic: نبوة , nabawiyyah) is the calling by God to communicate a divinely given message to humankind and to the unseen world of spirits.
Types of Prophets
- Nabi (نبي): A prophet who is the recipient of divine revelation in the form of general moral teaching, exemplified in the prophet’s own life.
- Rasul (رسول): A prophet whose revelation contains God’s specific commands and prohibitions in the form of an ethical code (shariah) recorded in scriptural form as guidance for a particular community, and as a standard by which its members will be judged on the Last Day.
Significance in the Quran
The Quran presents belief in prophethood as a corollary of belief in God, providing a means for humans to respond individually and collectively to God. The prophet is considered a witness to God’s unity, delivering the righteous conduct God wills for this world, and warning of God’s judgment on the Last Day.
Attributes of Prophets
- Infallible Fidelity: Prophets are believed to be infallible in their fidelity to divine commands.
- Effective Communication: They possess an impeccable ability to communicate what God gave them to convey.
- Wisdom and Understanding: They are wise in understanding the meaning of divine revelation.
Prophethood in Islam
In Islam, prophethood is always defined in terms of Muhammad’s experience, as his message is considered final and perfected, sent to confirm all previous revelations.
Etymology
- Arabic: النبوة (al-nubuwwah)
- Turkish: Peygamberlik
Further Reading
For those who wish to delve deeper into the topic of prophethood, consider the following books:
- “Prophets in Islam” by Karim Douglas Crow
- “The Life of the Prophet Muhammad” by Ibn Ishaq
- “In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad” by Tariq Ramadan
Takeaways and Conclusion
- Universal Guidance: Prophethood serves as a means of communicating divine guidance to humankind.
- Diverse Roles: Prophets (nabi) provide general moral guidance, while messengers (rasul) deliver specific commandments.
- Prophet Muhammad: His life and message are central to Islamic understanding of prophethood, considered the culmination and perfection of divine revelation.
The concept of prophethood underscores the bridging role between the divine and the mortal worlds, encompassing both the delivery of ethical teachings and the articulation of God’s will. Belief in prophethood is integrally tied to the belief in God, offering a framework within which humans can orient their lives toward righteousness and divine judgment.
