Introduction

The belief in Prophethood (Risalah) is one of the fundamental pillars of Islamic faith. It represents the divine system through which Allah Almighty communicates His guidance to humanity. Through prophets, Allah reveals His laws and moral teachings to direct mankind toward the right path, forming the connection between Creator and creation.

Meaning of Risalah

The Arabic term Risalah means “to send” or “to convey.” It refers to Allah sending His chosen servants—Prophets (Anbiya)—to deliver His message. A Nabi receives revelation for his own guidance, while a Rasool is commanded to convey it to others. Every messenger is a prophet, but not every prophet is a messenger.

Purpose of Prophethood

The purpose of prophethood is to guide humanity toward truth and righteousness. Human intellect alone cannot determine ultimate moral truth; hence Allah sent prophets to illuminate hearts and minds with divine wisdom, ensuring mankind remains on the straight path (Sirat al-Mustaqeem).

The Chain of Prophethood

From Adam (peace be upon him) to Muhammad ﷺ, Allah sent thousands of prophets across nations. The Qur’an names twenty-five, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). The Prophet ﷺ said: “The prophets are brothers from different mothers, but their religion is one.”

Equality of Prophets

Islam teaches respect for all prophets. The Qur’an declares, “We make no distinction between any of His messengers” (2:285). Denying any prophet invalidates one’s faith, as all prophets form one continuous chain of divine truth and guidance.

Signs of True Prophets

• Truthfulness (Sidq)
• Trustworthiness (Amanah)
• Wisdom and intelligence (Fatanah)
• Delivering Allah’s message completely (Tabligh)
• Protection from sin (Ismah)

Miracles of the Prophets

Allah granted prophets miracles (Mu‘jizat) to prove their truthfulness. Moses split the sea, Jesus healed the blind, and Muhammad ﷺ performed many miracles—most importantly, the everlasting miracle of the Qur’an.

The Finality of Prophethood

Prophethood ended with Muhammad ﷺ. The Qur’an affirms: “He is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets” (33:40). No new prophet will come after him. His message, preserved in the Qur’an and Sunnah, is complete and universal.

The Prophet as a Universal Role Model

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent for all mankind. The Qur’an calls him “a mercy to the worlds” (21:107). His life offers a perfect model of justice, humility, and compassion. “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example” (33:21).

Preservation of Prophetic Teachings

Allah promised to preserve His final revelation: “Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will guard it” (15:9). Through meticulous Hadith preservation, the Prophet’s sayings and actions remain a living source of guidance.

Role and Relevance Today

The message of prophethood remains relevant today. In an age of moral confusion, it provides clarity, ethics, and purpose. Following Muhammad ﷺ leads to peace, balance, and justice in all aspects of life.

Conclusion

The Aqeedah of Risalah connects humanity to divine wisdom. It completes the journey of faith that begins with Tawheed and culminates in obedience to Allah’s final messenger. Prophethood dispels ignorance and establishes truth, mercy, and justice—guiding humanity until the end of time.