Prophets

In religion, a prophet is an individual who is regarded as being in contact with a divine being and is said to speak on that entity's behalf, serving as an intermediary with humanity by delivering messages or teachings from the supernatural source to other people. The message that the prophet conveys is called a prophecy.

92525

Prophets . Imam Ali

Is Imam Ali (A.S) superior to all the Prophets other than Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

It is an established fact that the status of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) is higher than the status of all the previous prophets. The status of Ameerul Mo'mineen Ali (AS) is from the status of the Prophet Muhammad, despite the fact that Imam Ali (AS) is not a prophet but he was described in Quran like the self of the Prophet but not a prophet (وأنفسنا وأنفسكم).
The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) said: Alivis from me and I am from Ali ( إنه مني وأنا منه)

Prophetic Hadeeth says: O Ali, Allah has granted you whatever He granted me except the Prophet hood.

The status of Ameerul Mo'mineen Ali (AS) is part and parcel from the status of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and obviously it is higher than the status of all the previous prophets (AS).

Wassalam.

88018

Prophets . Miracle

Is there a reason why Allah never sent Prophets during the modern era where every miracle could be easily recorded and verified and all Hadith could be preserved completely and accurately?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answer updated 1 year ago

as salam alaikum

the Qur'an is a miracle for past, present and future generations and its being in form of a book makes it reachable to every human being. Of course it must be understood and that is why knowledge has been made compulsory in Islam.

Other miracles would have been witnessed only by a group of people. Also, in modern times could have been falsified by the use of technology. On the contrary a book divinely preserved and passed down both orally and scripturally generation after generation do not present such problems.

Similarly, the crucial hadiths necessary for salvation have been passed down through divine providence and tawatur.

With prayers for your success.

86568

Imamah . Prophets . Qur'an

Where is the proof of Imamah in the Quran directly referring to the 12 Imams and not the Prophets?

Rebecca Masterton, Dr Rebecca Masterton graduated with a BA in Japanese Language and Literature; an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature and a PhD in Islamic literature of West Africa. She has been... Answer updated 1 year ago

The speech of Imam al-Ridha (as) in Usul al-Kafi Vol. 1 helps to outline how Imama is established by the Qur'an.

This is a link to it, plus some other extracts from other volumes:

https://onlineshiastudies.com/imamateinquran/

The appointment of a successor was entirely in keeping with 'Allah's Sunna':

There are several verses in the Holy Qur’an that mention the Sunnah, or the Way of Allah, as follows:‘That was the Sunnah of Allah in the case of those who lived before and there will never be any change in the Sunnah of Allah.’ (Surah al-Ahzab, 33:62); ‘{Such was Our) Sunnah in the case of those whom We sent before you {to mankind), and you will never find change in Our Sunnah.’ (Surah BaniIsrail, 17:77); ‘Had the disbelievers fought against you, they would take to flight and would have found no guardian or helper. This is the Sunnah of Allah which existed before you, and you will never find any change in Allah's system’ (Surah al-Fath, 48:23); ‘[Due to] arrogance in the land and plotting of evil; but the evil plot does not encompass except its own people. Then do they await except the way of the former peoples? But you will never find in the Sunnah of Allah any change, and you will never find in the way of Allah any alteration.’ (35:43); ‘Their faith could not avail against Our punishment. Such is Allah's prevailing Sunnah (law) among His servants in the past. Thus the disbelievers are ruined.’ (Surah Mumin, 40:85).

As Dr Ibrahim Ayati explains in regard to these verses, ‘Whenever the word Sunnah has been used in the Holy Qur'an it has been used in this very literal meaning i.e. the manner in which Allah has treated the past nations. And whenever Allah says that His Sunnah is unalterable it means that there is a path for attaining to dignity and honor and He does not change it, and there is also a path and ground which leads to adversity and helplessness and that, too, is unalterable.’

The path for attaining dignity and honour is that revealed by the prophets and supported and explained by the Imams of the prophets. This Sunnah, the sending of prophets accompanied by their supporters and successors, can be seen going all the way back to Adam [whose supporter and successor would have been Habil/Abel]. If we take a look at the prophetic lineage, we can see this.
Scholars provide an approximate outline of this lineage: ‘Adam [and his wasiy] Seth/Abel/Hibat Allah; then Noah and [his wasiy] Shem; Solomon and [his wasiy] Asaf ibn Barakhiya; Ibrahim and his succeeding awsiya Isma’il and Ishaq; Moses and his awsiya Harun and Joshua; Isa and his awsiya Simon; John and the apostles; Prophet Muhammad and his awsiya Imam 'Ali (as) and the other eleven Imams.’ (Amir-Moezzi, Shi‘ i Spirituality, p. 289).

At no time in prophetic history has a prophet not clearly stipulated his successor, and the appointment of a successor is an unchanging part of the prophetic sunnah and the Sunnah of Allah (swt).

Seth means "placed; appointed". In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, he was the third son of Adam and Eve and brother of Cain and Abel. According to Genesis 4:25, Seth was born after Abel's murder, and Eve believed God had appointed him as a replacement for Abel.]

85519

Prophets . God (Allah)

Is it appropriate for us to pray that Allah (swt) make higher the status of Imam Hussain (as) or the Prophets?

Salawaat (ALLAHUMMA SALLI 'ALA MUHAMMAD WA AALI MUHAMMAD) which is the most recommended supplication is seeking from Allah (SWT) higher degree for them.
We also get higher degrees more we recite Salawaat.

Wassalam.

81615

Scholars . Ummah . Prophets . Hadith

Is there an authentic narration in which the Prophet (SAW) says that the scholars of the Ummah are superior to the earlier Prophets?

Seyed Saied Alavi, Seyed Saied Alavi is a researcher based in Qom who has studied from the Howzah of Qom and also completed a Pastoral studies program. He is currently a university lecturer in the fields of Shia... Answered 1 year ago

In the name of Allah

Such Hadith is not narrated in major Shia sources.
However, there is a similar Hadith in the more recent Shia books (like Bihar al-Anwar), narrated (without a chain) from the Prophet -peace be upon him and his Ahlul Bayt- that conveys a different meaning:

عُلَمَاءُ أُمَّتِي كَأَنْبِيَاءِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ
The Scholars of My Ummah are like the prophets of Bani-Israel.

This hadith does not state superiority, but similarity. There are different interpretations as to the meaning of this analogy and to whom the prophet is referring when he says "Scholars".

Some experts believe that "scholars" is only referring to the Infallible Imams, and the hadith means that the Imams are Hujjah (Proofs of Allah) to the people, just as those prophets were Hujjah to the people of their time.
Other experts expand the meaning to non-infallible scholars and belive the hadith is stating that just as those prophets were guardians of their people's faith and beliefs, Islamic scholars will guard and preserve the religiosity and beliefs of the Muslim community.

The abovementioned Hadith is narrated in:
Bihar al-Anwar - v2, p22
Mustadrak ul-Wasail - v17, p320

WasSalaam.

80831

Body . Prophets . Qur'anic Verse . Prophet Muhammad

I have heard that the body of the Prophet Muhammad (pbh) and the other Prophets will not decompose. If true, does that not contradict Quranic verses 20:55 and 41:6?

There is contradiction at all. Allah (SWT) grants everlasting life to the martyrs (2:154) and (3:169). The Prophets and Infallible Imams are much higher in degree from the martyrs, so, their continuous life is very obvious. Every Muslim salutes in his Salah, the Prophet السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاتهand all Pious servants of Allah السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين

This means that they are alive to receive and respond to our salutations.

Allah (SWT) Has created the rules of this universe, but, His will is above all te rules. He made the fire cool and peace on Ibrahim, and He made Easa able to revive dead to alive. He ordered continuous life for His most humble servants.

Wassalam.

79250

Prophets . Infallibility ('Ismah)

Did any other Prophets have infallible successors?

Yes, every prophet had a successor who leads his Ummah after the Prophet and all of them are infallible. The Hadeeth لكل نبي وصي is narrated in Shia and Sunni books. Among Sunni scholars who narrated this Hadeeth are Ibn Hanbal in Fadha'l al-Sahabah, Sibt Ibn al-Jawzi in Tathkirat al-Khawaass, Ibn al-Maghaazili in al-Manaaqib, al-Tabaraani in al-Mo'jam al-Kabeer and Ibn Asaakir in Tareekh Dimishq and many others.

Wassalam.

72481

Prophets . Man

Why are all the Prophets and Messengers men?

Prophethood is a post of huge responsibility and a very big burden.
The prophets are required to face the objection of the tyrants and all
their followers and the prophets need to argue and strive and can be
tortured and even many prophets were been killed. The prophets need to
fight against the enemies of Allah SWT and lead wars to defend the
faith and that it is not practical to send a female as a prophet
because it won’t be appropriate for a female to do such harsh,
difficult and hard responsibility.

It must be also mentioned that the prophet cannot be a female because
the female is usually under the control of her husband or father or
the men of her family while the prophet should be in control of all
the society and not under control of anyone.

Also the female cannot be prophet because most of the females have
natural menstrual cycle during which they suffer from some symptoms
and also females usually have pregnancy and childbirth and have to
look after the infants and that all will have effect on her health and
mentality and this will not be appropriate with the responsibilities
of leading the whole community and the prophethood.

The prophet is supposed to be the teacher of all people and it is not
appropriate for a female to be a teacher of all because usually many
of the scholars from the men will not accept to be students of a
female.

In the Holy Qur’an in Surah al-Anmbiyah verse number 7, Allah SWT said
: “We did not send before you but men to whom we have revealed”
(ARABIC TEXT). Which is very clear that all those who were sent by
Allah to be the messengers and prophets are men.

We in Islam believe in the great pious ladies like the status of Lady
Maryam and the status of mother of Prophet Musa and the status of
mother Prophet Ishaaq as we read in the Holy Qur’an that Allah SWT has
sent the angels to speak to them but angels speaking to a servant of
Allah SWT does not mean that this servant becomes a prophet.

Some Sunni Ulama Abul Hassan al-Ashari and like Ibn Hazm and like
al-Qurtubi claimed that Lady Maryam and other ladies were prophets and
their claim was because of angels talking to some pious ladies. This
claim has been refuted by almost the vast majority of Sunni Ulama and
all the Shia Ulama as well.

The well known Sunni scholar al-Nawawi mentioned in his book al-Azkaar
from Imam al-Harmain that there is Ijmaa among the Ulama that Maryam
was not a prophet.

The greatness of Fatemah (AS) in fact is more than the status of all
the prophets except her father which means that Islam has given the
highest status to Fatemah (AS) because she was entitled to that status
and because she is part of her father Muhammad (SAWA) who is the best
of all the human kind.

Those who claim that Islam does not give enough respect to the women
because in Islam there are no female prophets, you ask them do they
have in Torah or Bible any evidence that and female prophet was sent
by Allah to guide people?

Islam is the most practical and most realistic religion and that is
why it gives every responsibility to the appropriate person who can
handle it.

Wassalam.

73158

Prophets . God (Allah)

Why are there no Prophets sent by God in this day and age?

as salam alaikum

we can mention two points worth to be noted in this regard:

1) there is nothing new to be revealed today as the most perfect of revelations has been sent down with the Qur'an.

2) the Qur'an has been preserved in its original form so there is no need to send other prophets with new revelations.

With prayers for your success.

71192

Music . Prophets . God (Allah)

Are all kinds of music forbidden such as songs with inspirational lyrics that praise Allah (SWT) and his Prophets (AS)?

Music which is usually used by the sinners is forbidden. Even praising Allah (SWT) and the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) is not allowed if it comes with music which is usually used by sinners.

Wassalam.

62045

Prophets . Barzakh . Ahl al-Bayt

What is the greatest evidence for Muslims in general that we can seek help from the Imams, Prophets and Awliyah after they have passed away? How are they capable of responding to us from Barzakh in a way that affects us in the real world?

The prophets and their successors are infallible and they are the most humble servants of Allah (SWT). Their life is not limited to this world but continues as we read in Quran ( and don't think that those who were martyred in the way of Allah are dead, nay, they are alive with their Lord getting sustenance. (Sura 3, Verse 169). Prophets and their successors are higher in degree than the martyrs, so, they are alive with Allah.

Every Muslim salutes the Prophet in every Salaah ( ASSALAMU ALAYKA AYYUHAN NABIYYU WA RAHMATULLAH WA BARAKATUH) which means that the Prophet is alive.

We have many authentic Hadeeths that the Prophets are alive in their graves. ( الانبياء أحياء في قبورهم يصلون)

Seeking help from them after their demise is just like seeking help from them before their demise, as Allah (SWT) grants them the ability to help sincere believers by His permission.

Wassalam.

64200

Worship . Health . Prophets

Is it true that the Prophets and Imams spent the whole night in worship? If so, how can we follow this example without negative effects on our health?

Yes, it is true that the Prophet (SAWA) and Infallible Imams used to worship Allah for very long hours in the nights ( two thirds or half or one third of the night) and in special nights for the whole night.

We are not supposed to spend the whole night in worshipping and leave our responsibilities in studying and working , but need to spend some time in the night in worshipping Allah (SWT), thanking His Bounties and preparing ourselves for our real future (Aakhirah).

Wassalam.