It is common to hear, when a discussion is revolving around the historic figures who were chosen by God, that so and so was a “Messenger”, or sometimes they would say, so and so was a “Prophet.”
The definition of these words varies depending on who you speak to, but the most commonly heard opinions are:
- Prophets are people who receive a scripture/book but do not have to relate it to the people;
- Messengers are people who receive a scripture/book and must relate it to the people (a Messenger by default here is also a Prophet);
- Messengers are people who must deliver a specific message warning and are not necessarily recipients of a scripture/book;
- Prophets are recipients of a scripture/book and they are also required to deliver such scripture/book to the people (a Prophet by default here is also a Messenger).
While some of the above statements seem to make sense, we are obligated to consult the one true source, the Qur’an, for the most accurate answers…
Prophets.
Prophets are recipients of a scripture/book
2:213 The people used to be one nation, then God sent the prophets as bearers of good news and warners, and He sent down with them the Book with the truth so that they may judge between the people in what they were disputing. But after receiving the clarity, the people disputed in it due to animosity between them. And God guided those who believed with His permission regarding what they disputed in of the truth. And God guides whoever He wishes to a straight path.
3:79 It is not for any human being that God would give him the Book and the authority and the prophethood, then he would say to the people: “Be servants to me rather than God!” Rather: “Be Devotees for what you have been taught of the Book, and of what you have studied.”
6:89 Those to whom We have given the Book, and the law, and the prophethood, if they reject it, then We will entrust it to a people who will not reject it.
More than one Prophet can exist at the same time.
19:53 And We granted him from Our mercy his brother Aaron as a prophet.
19:51 And recall in the Book, Moses; he was loyal, and he was a messenger prophet.
Prophets can be given an existing scripture/book, or even the share the same scripture/book
5:44 We have sent down the Torah, in it is a guidance and a light; the prophets who have submitted judged with it for those who are Jewish, and the Devotees, and the Priests, for what they were entrusted of the Book of God, and they were witness over. So do not be concerned with the people but be concerned with Me; and do not purchase with My revelations a cheap price. And whoever does not judge with what God has sent down, then these are the rejecters.
21:48 And We had given Moses and Aaron the Criterion, a shining light, and reminder for the righteous.
Prophets are witnesses, bearers of good news and warners
33:45 O prophet, We have sent you as a witness, and a bearer of good news, and a warner.
2:213 The people used to be one nation, then God sent the prophets as bearers of good news and warners, and He sent down with them the Book with the truth so that they may judge between the people in what they were disputing. But after receiving the clarity, the people disputed in it due to animosity between them. And God guided those who believed with His permission regarding what they disputed in of the truth. And God guides whoever He wishes to a straight path.
Prophets spell doom for those who reject them
7:94 And We do not send a prophet to any town, except afterwards We afflict its people with hardship and adversity that they may implore.
Being a Prophet is a genetic trait
29:27 And We granted him Isaac and Jacob, and We made within his progeny the prophethood and the Book. And We gave him his reward in this world, and in the Hereafter he is among the righteous.
57:26 And We had sent Noah and Abraham, and We placed in their progeny the prophethood and the Book. Some of them were guided, while many were wicked.
Prophets can be made exempt from some laws/restrictions
33:50 O prophet, We have made lawful for you the wives to whom you have already given their dowries, and those who are maintained by your oath, as granted to you by God; and the daughters of the brothers of your father, and the daughters of the sisters of your father, and the daughters of the brothers of your mother, and the daughters of the sisters of your mother - those who emigrated with you. Also, the believing woman who had decreed herself to the prophet, the prophet may marry her if he wishes, as a privilege given only to you and not to the believers. We have already decreed their rights in regard to their spouses and those who are maintained by their oaths. This is to spare you any hardship. God is Forgiver, Merciful.
33:53 O you who believe, do not enter the homes of the prophet unless you are invited to a meal, without you forcing such an invitation. But if you are invited, you may enter. And when you finish
eating, you shall leave, without staying to wait for a narrative. This used to bother the prophet, and he was shy to tell you. But God does not shy away from the truth. And if you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not for you to harm the messenger of God, nor that you should marry his wives after him. This is indeed a gross offence with God.
Prophets can make mistakes
66:1 O you prophet, why do you make unlawful what God has made lawful for you, seeking to please your wives? God is Forgiver, Merciful.
21:78-79 And David and Solomon, when they gave judgment in the case of the crop that was damaged by the sheep of the people, and We were witness to their judgment. So We gave Solomon the correct understanding, and both of them We have given wisdom and knowledge. And We commissioned the mountains with David to praise, and the birds. This is what We did.
Prophets are authority figures/leaders
3:79 It is not for any human being that God would give him the Book and the authority and the prophethood, then he would say to the people: “Be servants to me rather than God!” Rather: “Be Devotees for what you have been taught of the Book, and of what you have studied.”
8:65 O prophet, urge the believers to fight. If there are twenty of you who are patient, they will defeat two hundred. And if there are one hundred of you, they will defeat one thousand from among those who reject; that is because they are a people who do not understand.
5:44 We have sent down the Torah, in it is a guidance and a light; the prophets who have submitted judged with it for those who are Jewish, and the Devotees, and the Priests, for what they were entrusted of the Book of God, and they were witness over. So do not be concerned with the people but be concerned with Me; and do not purchase with My revelations a cheap price. And whoever does not judge with what God has sent down, then these are the rejecters.
Prophets are among the first to be judged on J-day
39:69 And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the record will be placed, and the prophets and the witnesses will be brought forth; and it will then be judged between them with the truth, and they will not be wronged.
No more Prophets will come after Mohammed
33:40 Mohammed is not the father of any of your men, but he is the messenger of God and the seal of the prophets. And God is fully aware of all things.
Messengers.
Messengers are sent after a scripture/book has been given
2:87 And We gave Moses the Book, and after him We sent the messengers. And We gave Jesus, son of Mary, the clear proofs, and We supported him with the Holy Spirit. Is it that every time a messenger comes to you with what your souls do not desire, you become arrogant? A group of them you deny, and a group of them you kill!
Messengers are sent for a specific task
5:67 O messenger, deliver what was sent down to you from your Lord, and if you do not then you have not delivered His message; and God will protect you from the people. And God does not guide the rejecting people.
12:50 And the king said: “Bring him to me.” So when the messenger came to him, he said: “Go back to your lord and ask him what was the matter regarding the women who cut their hands? Indeed, my Lord is aware of their plans.”
Messengers are to be obeyed in the message they deliver
3:32 Say: “Obey God and the messenger.” But if they turn away, then God does not love the rejecters.
4:80 Whoever obeys the messenger has obeyed God; and whoever turns away, We have not sent you as a guardian over them.
4:64 We do not send a messenger except to be obeyed with the permission of God. And had they come to you when they had wronged themselves and sought the forgiveness of God, and the messenger sought forgiveness for them, they would have then found God to be Pardoning, Merciful.
There have been many Messengers that the Qur’an has not told us about
4:164 And messengers of whom We have told to you from before, and messengers We have not told to you; and God spoke to Moses directly.
Messengers are bearers of good news and warners
4:165 Messengers who were bearers of good news and warners, so that there will be no excuse for the people with God after the messengers. God is Noble, Wise.
6:48 And We do not send the messengers except as bearers of good news and warners; whoever believes, and does good, then there is no fear for them nor will they grieve.
The duty of the Messenger is only to deliver the message
5:99 The messenger is only to deliver. And God knows what you reveal and what you conceal.
5:92 And obey God and obey the messenger, and be aware. If you turn away then know that it is the duty of the messenger to deliver clearly.
Messengers can be non-human
6:61 And He is the Supreme over His servants, and He sends over you guardians. So that when the time of death comes to one of you, Our messengers terminate his life, and they do not neglect any.
6:130 “O assembly of Jinn and mankind, did not messengers come to you from among you and tell to you My revelations, and warn you of the meeting of this Day?” They said: “Yes, we bear witness upon ourselves;” and the worldly life deceived them, and they bore witness upon themselves that they were rejecters.
11:69 And Our messengers came to Abraham with good news, they said: “Peace” He said: “Peace,” and he made no delay in bringing a roasted calf.
19:19 He (the angel) said: “I am the messenger of your Lord, to grant you the gift of a pure son.”
22:75 God chooses messengers from among the angels and from among the people. God is Hearer, Seer.
Messengers have always been men (or had male forms)
16:43 And We did not send any except men before you whom We inspired, so ask the people who have received the Reminder if you do not know.
Every nation will get a Messenger
10:47 And for every nation is a messenger; so when their messenger comes, the matter is decreed between them with justice, and they are not wronged.
16:36 And We have sent a messenger to every nation: “You shall serve God and avoid evil.” Some of them were guided by God, and some of them deserved to be misguided. So travel the earth, and see how the punishment was of those who denied.
God does not destroy a people unless first He sends them a Messenger
17:15 Whoever is guided is guided for himself, and whoever is misguided is for his own loss. And no person shall carry the burdens of another, and We were not to punish until We send a messenger.
28:59 And your Lord was not to destroy the towns until He sends a messenger to their capital, to recite Our revelations to them. And We do not destroy the towns unless its people are wicked.
More than one Messenger can exist at the same time.
11:81 They said: “O Lot, we are messengers of your Lord; they will not be able to harm you, so travel with your family during the cover of the night and let not any of you look back except for your wife, she will be afflicted with what they will be afflicted. Their scheduled time will be the morning. Is the morning not near?”
36:13 And put forth for them the example of the people of the town, when the messengers came to it.
Messengers are sent in the language of their own people
14:4 And We have not sent any messenger except in the language of his people, so he may clarify for them. But God misguides whom He wills, and He guides whom He wills. And He is the Noble, the Wise.
Messengers are sent with scriptures/books (if they were also Prophets)
35:25 And if they deny you, then those before them have also denied. Their messengers went to them with the proofs and the scriptures and the Book of Enlightenment.
57:25 We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the balance, so that the people may uphold justice. And We sent down the iron, wherein there is great strength, and many benefits for the people. So that God would distinguish those who would support Him and His messengers in the unseen. God is Powerful, Noble.
Findings/Conclusions
Based on the many verses sited above, a number of findings can be concluded:
- Messengers are sent with a specific purpose (a one-time mission or inspiration), after which they may no longer be given any inspiration and may no longer be a messenger;
- Prophethood, being a genetic trait, is a continuous state, whereby the person may receive inspiration from God until death;
- Prophets are long-term, they are nearly always community leaders, taking part in the formation of a civil society and even leading and/or participating in battles;
- Messengers are short-term, once the message is delivered, the messenger may no longer have a reason to remain where he is;
- Prophets may cross-over into being Messengers if they are given a specific message to deliver (i.e. a Book, or laws, or other message);
- Messengers can never cross-over into being Prophets as that is a human genetic trait;
- No more Prophets will be born after Mohammed;
- Messengers will continue to be with us until J-Day.
22:52 And We did not send before you any messenger or prophet, without having the devil interfere with his wishes. God then overrides what the devil has cast, and God secures His revelations. And God is Knower, Wise.
Below are some of the key people mentioned in the Qur’an and their status:
Name |
Prophet |
Messenger |
Comments |
Noah |
√ (33:7) |
√ (26:107) |
Noah was sent to preach to his people to abandon their ways and accept God alone. |
Enoch |
√ (19:56) |
X |
Not sent to anyone. |
Hud |
X |
√ (26:124-125) |
Hud was sent to ‘Aad. |
Saleh |
X |
√ (26:142-143) |
Saleh was sent to Thamud. |
Abraham |
√ (19:41) |
X |
Abraham, although is best known as being the father of the prophets (i.e. all prophethood was confined to his genetic line), was never given a specific mission to deliver to any people . |
Lot |
√ (6:86) |
√ (37:133) |
Lot was sent to the people who were damned to tell them to amend their ways else face the consequences. |
Shu’ayb |
X |
√ (26:177-178) |
Shu’ayb was sent to Midyan. |
Ismail |
√ (19:54) |
√ (19:54) |
Ismail was sent to reside near the Restricted Temple with his family (14:37) to uphold the bond and the call to pilgrimage. |
Isaac |
√ (19:49) |
X |
Not sent to anyone. |
Jacob |
√ (19:49) |
X |
Not sent to anyone. Jacob was the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. |
Joseph |
√ (6:84) |
√ (40:34) |
Joseph was the reason that the children of Jacob (Israel) moved to Egypt. |
Moses |
√ (33:7) |
√ (19:51) |
Moses was sent to Pharaoh. |
Aaron |
√ (19:53) |
√ (26:16) |
Moses requested God that Aaron share in his mission. |
Elias |
√ (6:85) |
√ (37:123) |
Not sent to anyone. |
Jonah |
√ (4:163) |
√ (37:139) |
Jonah was sent on a mission to a town of one hundred thousand people (37:147). |
Job |
√ (4:163) |
X |
Not sent to anyone. |
David |
√ (4:163) |
√ (2:253) |
David was a soldier under king Saul (2:249-251). Upon defeating Goliath, he was given kingship and wisdom. His message was to the children of Israel. |
Solomon |
√ (4:163) |
X |
Inherited from David. Not sent to anyone. |
Zachariah |
√ (6:85) |
X |
Not sent to anyone. |
John |
√ (3:39) |
X |
Not sent to anyone. |
Jesus |
√ (19:30) |
√ (4:157) |
Jesus was sent with a message to the Children of Israel to amend their ways. |
Mohammed |
√ (33:40) |
√ (33:40) |
Mohammed is the seal of the Prophets, sent to all people. |
Written for www.free-minds.org