Prophethood (An-Nubuwwah)
Q. As nobody knows the number and the names of all the prophets, please give the names of some of the famous ones.
A. Some of the well-known prophets are: Hadrat Aadam, Hadrat Sheeth, Hadrat Idrees, Hadrat Nuuh, Hadrat Ibraaheem, Hadrat Is-maa’eel, Hadrat Is-haaq, Hadrat Daawud, Hadrat Ya’quub, Hadrat Yuusuf, Hadrat Sulaymaan, Hadrat Muusa, Hadrat Luut, and Hadrat Muhammad ﷺ — the last of all prophets.
Q. From which tribe of Arabia did Hadrat Muhammad ﷺ come from?
A. He was from the Quraish tribe — the most respected tribe in Arabia. Within it, the clan of Bani Haashim was even more honored, and the Prophet ﷺ belonged to this clan; hence he was called Haashimi.
Q. Who was Haashim?
A. Haashim was the great-grandfather of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His lineage is: Muhammad (son of) Abdullah (son of) Abdul-Muttalib (son of) Haashim (son of) Abdu-Manaaf.
Q. Was there a prophet among the forefathers of Hadrat Muhammad ﷺ apart from Hadrat Adam?
A. Yes. The Prophet ﷺ descended from the family of Hadrat Ismaa’eel (son of Hadrat Ibraaheem). Hadrat Nuh, Hadrat Sheeth, and Hadrat Shu’ayb also come in his lineage.
Q. At what age did the Prophet ﷺ get the prophethood?
A. He was 40 years old when the first revelation (wahyi) came to him.
Q. What is meant by wahyi?
A. Wahyi means Allah’s Commands, Orders, and Messages revealed to a prophet through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel).
Q. How long did the Prophet ﷺ live after the first wahyi came to him?
A. For 23 years — 13 years in Makkah and 10 years in Madinah.
Q. Why did he go to Madinah?
A. When the people of Makkah became his enemies and plotted to kill him because he preached Tawheed, Allah commanded him to migrate to Madinah. The believers of Madinah welcomed and supported him. This migration is called Hijrah. The migrants were called Muhaajireen, and the helpers of Madinah were called Ansaar.
Q. What did the people of Arabia think of the character of Hadrat Muhammad ﷺ before and after his declaration as a prophet?
A. He was always known as truthful and trustworthy. He was called as-Saadiq and al-Ameen. Even his enemies trusted him with their wealth.
Q. What is the proof that the Holy Prophet ﷺ is the last of all prophets?
A. The Qur’an calls him Khaatimun-Nabiyyeen — the last of the prophets. He said himself: “I am the last Prophet; no prophet will come after me.” Allah also revealed: “This day I have perfected your religion for you...” (Surah 5:3)
Q. What is the proof that the Holy Prophet ﷺ is the highest in rank of all the prophets?
A. The Qur’an and hadith prove his excellence. He said: “I will be the head of the sons of Adam on the Day of Qiyaamah.” This shows he is the leader of all prophets.