Islamic Perspective on Prophets

Do Muslims only believe in Prophet Muhammad? What is the Islamic perspective on other prophets?

To believe in the prophets is one of the six basic beliefs in Islam. A Muslim believes that Allah (swt) chose prophets to convey His massage to mankind and guide them. The first prophet is Nabi Adam (peace be upon him) and the last prophet is Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

“Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of God and the last of the prophets... “(Quran, 33:40)

“These are they unto whom Allah showed favour from among the prophets, of the seed of Adam and of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Noah, and of the seed of Abraham and Israel, and from among those whom We guided and chose. When the revelations of the Beneficent were recited unto them, they fell down, adoring and weeping.” (Quran, 19: 58)

The number of prophets is not certain but 25 of them are mentioned in the Quran. Muslims do not only believe in the prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) but also believe in and respect all the prophets without any discrimination as ordained in the Quran;

“The Prophet (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers.  Each one believes in God, His Angels, His Books, and His prophets.  (They say,) ‘We make no distinction between one another of His prophets...’” (Quran, 2: 285)

Prophets are chosen among the mankind and they are the most superior and most sacred of all. They are morally upright; never lie and never sin and they are perfect servants to Allah (swt).  In Islam, though all prophets are honored and respected, they are still “mankind”; God is the only one to be worshipped. Those who follow and obey the path of prophets, actually obey Allah (swt) who has assigned them.

“Say thou: "I am but a man like you: It is revealed to me by Inspiration, that your God is one God: so stand true to Him, and ask for His Forgiveness." And woe to those who join gods with God.” (Fussilat, 41:6).

In Muslim belief, each prophet; despite living in different eras and different regions; conveyed the same main beliefs such as tawheed (oneness of Allah (swt)) and the Day of Resurrection and they performed the same basic worships such as praying and fasting.  There are differences just in details and methods in accordance with their times.