AlmightyGoddidnotleavemanalone;hesentguidanceintheformof
prophets and messengers. According to the common belief of all
Muslims,Godsent124,000prophetsandmessengerstoguidemankind
inallparts ofthe world.The firstwasProphet Adamandthelastwas
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them both).
Thebasicfaithofallthe prophetswasthe same:tocallpeopletothe
OneandOnlyGod(tawhīd)andbringpeaceinhumansociety;thediffer-
encesareonlyinthecodesoflaw.However,notallthe124,000prophets
were of the same rank and status; some were greater than the other;
someweresentasassistantstothosemessengerswhocamebeforethem;
some where given a holy scripture while others were not.
Thereweresomeprophetswhocamewithdivinelawswhichtheirfol-
lowersweretoimplement.Suchprophetswerehigherinrankoverthe
others,andareknownasulu'l-azmprophets.Ulu'l-azmmeans“those
who possess great responsibility”. The ulu’l-‘azmprophets are five:
- Prophet Nuh (a.s.) known in English as Noah.
- Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) known in English as Abraham.
- Prophet Musa (a.s.) known in English as Moses. A person who be-
lieves in the message of Prophet Musa (a.s.) is known as a Jew. - Prophet ‘Isa (a.s.) known in English as Jesus. A person who fol-
lows the message of Prophet ‘Isa (a.s.) is known as a Christian. - Prophet Muhammad (a.s.).A person who follows the message of
Prophet Muhammad (a.s.) is known as a Muslim.
ThedivinelawsbroughtbyProphetNuhwerefollowedtilltheadvent
of Prophet Ibrahim andthe more advanced divine laws weresent by
Godthroughhim.ThenProphetMusawassentwithanewsetoflaws
which were even more elaborate; Musa was followed by Prophet `Isa
who modifiedthelawsof Musa.Last ofall came ProphetMuhammad
withthemostperfectandcomprehensivedivinelaw.Noprophetorholy
scripture is to be sent after Muhammad (a.s.).
Manyprophetswerealsogivenscriptures—Godcommandmentssent
to mankindthrough Hisprophets andmessengers. The scriptures that
wererevealedtoProphetNuhandProphetIbrahimarenotwell-known.
TheQur'āntalksaboutscrolls(suhuf)ofIbrahimwhichshowsthatmany
books were revealed to him.