The prophets before Muhammad
Ibrahim is believed to have been the first person to teach the idea that there was only one God. Before then, people had strayed into believing in many gods.
Islam, Judaism and Christianity share a focus on key figures, including many . The says: Of some messengers we have already told you the story; of others we have not, and to Musa [Moses] God spoke direct (Surah 4:164).
Some of the most important figures who appear in the scriptures of all three Abrahamic religions are as follows.
- Adam was the first human being and he is believed to have been the first prophet.
- Muslims believe he was created from clay by Allah and given the ability to think logically as well as the role of .
- Muslims learn about their role on Earth from the example of Adam, who was forgiven for his .
- Some Muslims believe that Adam built the , which they believe was the first ever place of Muslim worship.
- Muslims believe that Adam was given knowledge to pass on to the rest of the human race.
Ibrahim
- Ibrahim is regarded in Islam as the father of the Arab people.
- In Ibrahim’s time, people practised . Ibrahim refused to worship idols and would only worship one God, Allah. He is known as a hanif, which is a person who lived before and who was totally committed to worshipping only one God.
- It is believed that Ibrahim rebuilt the Ka’ba following the great flood.
- His faith was tested by Allah, which teaches Muslims that they must be prepared to submit to Allah in the same way.
- Isma’il (see below) was one of Ibrahim’s sons.
Isma’il
- Isma’il was the first son of Ibrahim.
- He is associated with (Mecca) and the building of the Ka’ba.
Musa
- Musa taught that there is one God at a time when Muslims were practising idolatry.
- Musa is thought to have been the only prophet that Allah spoke to directly.
- Musa is known as Moses in Judaism and Christianity.
Dawud
- Dawud is known for his bravery and wisdom.
- The Qur’an states that Dawud killed Jahut, known in the Bible as Goliath, and that because of this, God made him a king (Surah 2:251).
- He received the , a book of psalms, which was revealed by God.
- He is called David in Judaism and Christianity.
Isa
- Isa is an important prophet in Islam. He was born miraculously to the most admired woman in Islam, Maryam (Mary), who was a virgin.
- Isa is known as Jesus in Christianity. However, in contrast to Christians, Muslims do not believe that Isa was crucified and resurrected, or that he was the son of God.
- Muslims believe that the Prophet Isa will return to Earth just before the .
