Belief in Prophet-hood in islamc believes

History of the Prophet-hood:

The human race began from one man: Adam. Adam, the first man on earth, was also appointed as the first Prophet of God. He revealed His religion-Islam to him Adam. Some of the Adam's descendants who were bad began to worship the sun, the moon, and the stars; others took to the worship of trees, animals, and rivers. Some believed that air, water, fire health, and all the blessings and forces of Nature were each under the control of a different. In this way ignorance gave rise to many forms of polytheism and idolatry, and scores of religions were formulated.

At this stage God began to raise prophets among every people, who preached Islam to them. Each one reminded his people of the lesson they had forgotten. They taught them God-worship, put an end to idol-worship and the practice of shirk. God's true Prophets were raised in all countries: in every land and people. They all possessed one and the same religion the religion of Islam.

The concept of prophet-hood is found in the three great religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In Islam, however, it has a special status and significance.It is obligatory to specifically believe in the Messengers cited by Allah in the Qur'aan by name. They are twenty-five in all. Eighteen of them are mentioned in (Surah al-An'aam). As for those Messengers who are not cited in the Qur'aan by name, it is obligatory to believe in them in general. Allah says;“Messengers We have mentioned to you before, and Messengers We have not mentioned to you."[Surah al-Nisa (4): 164]

Superiority of Some Messengers over the Others:

Messengers are of various ranks (amongst themselves). Allah says; "Those Messengers! We preferred some to others…" [Al-Baqarah 2:253]. The most distinguished Messengers are the five 'Uulul-Azm' (the Strong willed);Prophet Nooh; Prophet Ibraheem, Prophet Moosa; Prophet Esa and; Prophet Muhammad.

Nature of Prophet-hood:

Prophet-hood is an honor from Allah, which He bestows uponwhomsoever He pleases, as Allah says; "Allah chooses Messengersfrom angels and from men."[Surah al-Hajj (22): 75]. Prophet-hood is not something which can be acquired by theslave through struggle and exertions, performing different kinds ofworships, engaging in tough exercises, persistently discipliningthe soul or purification of the heart, refining the manners orspiritually exercising the soul - unlike what the philosophersclaim.The philosophers claim that Prophet-hood can beachieved.

Distinctionbetween a Prophet and a Messenger:

The famous distinctions between them are;

• (A Messenger) is a male human being who receives revelation of the Shari'ah and he is ordered topreach it.
• (A Prophet) is a male human who receives revelation of the Shari'ah although he is not ordered to preach it.

The obligation to believe in all the Messengers:

Those who are cited in the Qur'aan by name and those who are not, it is obligatory to specifically believe in the Messengers cited by Allah in the Qur'aan by name. They are twenty-five in all. As for those Messengers who are not cited in the Qur'aan by name, it is obligatory to believe in them in general.

Deen of All the Prophets is one:

The Deen of all the Prophets is one, although their Shari'ahs differed. The Prophet said: "The Prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one." [Sahih al-Bukhari].

Characteristics of Prophet-hood of Muhammad PBUH:

Prophet Muhammad possessesexclusive/exceptional merits,which is neither possessed by any other Prophetnor any one from his nation.

1-Prophet Muhammad is the Khaatam an-Nabiyyeen:

(The last/seal of the Prophets) Allah says: "Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets.[Surah al-Ahzab: 40]. The Prophet PBUH said; "I am the last of the Prophets; there is no Prophet after me." [Sunan al-Tirmidhi]

2-Universality of the Prophet-hood of Muhammad:

Allah says; "Say (O Muhammad), "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah." [Surah al-A'raaf: 158]. Prophet Muhammad was sent for the jinn and mankind and his call includes both the jinn and mankind - regardless of their race.

3-Al-Maqaam Al-Mahmood or Shafa’ah Al-kubra:

Al-Maqqaam Al-Mahmood- i.e., the great Shafa'ah (al-Shafa'ahaAl-Uzma) as is stated in the Saying of Allah,"It may be that your Lord will raise youto MaqaamanMahmooda (a station of praise and glory)."[Surah al-Israa: 79].

4-The Noble Qur'aan:

The Qur'aan is an eternal miracle which has survived over centuries. Allah has chosen this exquisite miracle for the final divine Prophet-hood (that was sent) for all the people.Allah has challenged man and jinn to produce anything like it, or ten verses like it or (even) a (short) Surah (i.e., only three verses) like it. But no one has produced anything like it - since the advent of Prophet Muhammad until today. And no one will -until eternity - be able to produce a book like the Qur'aan, oreven a Surah like it.

5-Ascension to the highest Heaven:

HafidhibnKatheer (rahimahullah) writes in his Tafseer; "The truth is that the Prophet was taken (on the journey) when he was awake, and not in a dream. He traveled from Makkah to Bayt al-Muqaddis riding on al-Buraaq (the beast). Upon reaching the door of the mosque, he tied the beast by the door and entered it. He prayed two units of prayer as, 'Tahyatul-Masjid.’

Then al-Me'raaj was brought to him. So he ascended to the first heaven, and then to the rest of the seven heavens. He greeted the Prophets who were on the various heavens according to their positions and ranks. The Prophet saw Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote-Tree), which was covered - by the command of Allah - with butterflies of gold and various colors. It was surrounded by the angels. There the Prophet saw Angel Jibra'eel in his realform, with six hundred wings. He saw green cushions coveringthe horizon.The Prophet saw al-Bayt al-Ma'moor (the Much-FrequentedHouse) and Ibrahim al-Khalil.

Finality of Prophet-hood

The unanimous Belief of Muslim world is that Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is the Last and Final Messenger/Prophet of Allah. In other words Prophet-hood has ended with Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and those who do not believe in it are ventured out of the bounds of Islam.

1-Proof from Quran:

Quran states: Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and theLast of the prophets; and Allah is cognizant of all things.(Qur’an:33:40)

2-Proof from Hadith:

Anas bin Malik narrates from the Prophet (Peace be upon him) who said: The Messenger-ship and Prophet-hood have ended and there will be no Messenger and Prophet after me.[Sunnanal-Tirmidhi, Hadith # 2274]Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The Last Hour would not come “UNTIL THERE WOULD ARISE ABOUT THIRTY IMPOSTERS, LIARS, AND EACH ONE OF THEM WOULD CLAIM THAT HE IS A MESSENGER OF ALLAH” [Sahih Muslim:6988]