Is it fair to create an object, and then allow it to function without any rules and regulations and fnally call it to account and punish it for breaking the rules?

Having created man with the power of thought and free will, Allah in His infnite wisdom decided to send Prophets and Messengers as a guide for mankind. Each Prophet was sent to his particular people to remind them of the need to worship one God, and refrain from associating partners with him. They were not gods, sons or partners of God, but were simply the best of mankind, chosen because of their humility in their behavior, morals, peacefulness and knowledge of Allah.

Allah sent a long chain of Prophets from the frst days of mankind, from Prophet Adam (the Father of human beings) – and sealed them with Prophet Mohammad, the fnal Prophet (Peace be upon them). This long chain included the Prophets of the people of Israel and the fve great Messengers who came with the most important messages: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them all).

Prophets were the leaders of humanity who knew how to worship one God. They knew about the hereafter, about good morals and human rights and they guided their people to the same.

The Holy Qur`an tells us that every Messenger said to his people:
“O my people, worship Allah; You have no deity other than Him…” (Qur`an 7, 59)

“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct, and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” (Qur`an 16, 90)

Mohammed was the fnal of these Messengers, who brought Allah’s message for the whole of mankind from the frst day of revelation to the fnal day of our existance. Because of this we see Muslims from all over the globe, of all colours and races, accepting and respecting all of the Prophets of Allah, as they were all on the same path of worshipping one God.

The Holy Books of Judaism, Christianity and Islam speak the same way about Prophet Noah and the great food.

The Qur`an tells us that he was a Messenger who lived for 950 years. He selfessly dedicated his life to preaching to his people the belief in one God, to leave worshiping idols and statues and to be merciful to the weak and the needy. He told them about the signs of God’s Power and Mercy and warned them about the severe punishment on the Day of Judgment, but they were very stubborn and ignored his warnings.

Allah punished them with the great food and saved only the believers who followed the Prophet.

There is a chapter in the Holy Qur`an about Prophet Noah. His story is detailed in one of the longest chapters of the Qur`an (HUD: 11), with more details about the food and the ship including these points;

• Noah asked his people to serve Allah and keep their duty unto Him, that He may forgive their sins.
• Noah called them night and day, but they thrust their fngers in their ears and persisted in their refusal.
• Noah asked them to seek pardon of their ever Forgiving Lord and He will help them with wealth and sons, and will assign unto them gardens and rivers and a good life.
• Allah the Almighty told Noah, that none of these people will believe except those who have believed already, so build the ship under Our eyes and by Our inspiration.
  When his people passed by him, they made a mockery of him.
• When he finished building the ship, Allah ordered Noah to load therein two of every kind, a pair (the male and female), most of his household, and those who believed.
• And it was said: O earth! Swallow your water and, O sky! be cleared of clouds! And the water was made to subside. And the commandment was fulflled. And as the ship came to rest upon (the mount) Al- Judi with Noah and the believers, humanity was given another opportunity for a new beginning.

Prophet Abraham is one of the most brilliant personalities in the history of religion, morals, social life and fatherhood.

He really is the Father of Prophets because Allah the Almighty chose many Prophets from his ofspring like Isaac, Jacob, David and their sons, along with Ishmael the forefather of the last Messenger Mohammad
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all).

There are long chapters in the Qur`an about Prophet Abraham. His biography and glorious deeds are mentioned in diferent places of the Qur`an.

Abraham thought about the oneness of the Creator from a very early age. He entered into serious debates with the monks of his day, refuting their tendency to worship idols, stars and fire.

He told them that these idols are not worthy or eligible of worship, so they tried to burn him alive. Allah saved him and chose him as a Prophet.

He was a prophet, model father and a model son. Here are some glimpses about his life mentioned in the Qur`an:

• Abraham was a very obedient son to his disbelieving father, kind and very patient.
  (Qur`an 19, 42-47)

• “Allah did show him the kingdom of the heavens and the earth that he might be of those possessing certainty.” (Qur`an 6, 75)

• He debated with his people about the false celestial gods and declared that he can not worship them because they are not worthy. (Qur`an 6, 76-79)

• Allah the Almighty mentioned him in the Qur`an as a chosen one:
  “And mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a Prophet.”
  (Qur`an 19, 41)
• Allah gave him the wisdom and ability to afect others.
  “And that was Our [conclusive] argument which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise by degrees whom We will. Indeed, your Lord is Wise and Knowing.” (Qur`an 6, 83)

Prophet Moses was a major Prophet and a leader who freed the Children of Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh; he is not only referred to in Judaism and Christianity, but also in Islam.

There is information about Prophet Moses in the Qur`an as well as in the Old and the New Testaments.

Prophet Moses is the most frequently mentioned of all Prophets in the Qur`an; 136 times in thirty-four chapters and he is included in the authenticated sayings of Prophet Mohammad.

The birth of Moses and his entrance to the Pharaoh’s palace, his trip to Madyan, selection as a Prophet, dispatch to the Pharaoh to save the Children of Israel, struggle with Pharaoh and the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt, the revelation of divine commands on Mount Sinai, events in the desert and his leadership of the Children of Israel are all discussed in the Qur`an.

In the Qur`an, it is mentioned that Moses was chosen above other men with the mission Allah had entrusted to him. The words that Allah had spoken to him
(Qur`an 7, 143), the fact that he was covered with the garment of love from Allah, as well as being reared under Allah’s eye (Qur`an 20, 39); all indicate the preparation of Moses for Allah’s service. (Qur`an 20, 41).

In the Qur`an, Moses is depicted as a Prophet who gives glad tidings about the coming of Prophet Mohammad; the Qur`an also tells us that the coming of an illiterate Prophet was mentioned in the Old Testament.
(Qur`an 7, 157).

In Islamic tradition Moses is called (Kalimullah) (Whom the Lord spoke to) because Allah spoke to him and revealed His verses to him directly.

Jesus in Islam is a Messenger of God who had been sent to guide the Children of Israel (Banī Isrāīl) with a new scripture, the Injīl (gospel).

The Qur`an states that Mary gave birth to Jesus without a man having touched her, a miraculous event which occurred by the decree of God.

“And mention, [O Mohammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place towards the east…Then We sent to her Our Angel [i.e. Gabriel], and he represented himself to her as a well – proportioned man… He said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy [i.e. son].” She said, “How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?” He said, “Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.’ ” (Qur’an 19, 16-21)

To aid him in his quest, Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles, with the permission of Allah. According to Islamic texts, Jesus was neither killed nor crucifed, but rather he was raised alive up to heaven. Islamic traditions narrate that he will return to earth near the Day of Judgment to restore justice and defeat the Antichrist.

Like all Prophets in Islam, Jesus is considered to have been a Muslim, as he preached for people to adopt the straight path in submission to God’s will. Islam rejects that Jesus was God or the son of God, stating that he was an ordinary human being who, like other prophets, had been divinely chosen to spread God’s message.

Islamic texts forbid the association of partners with God, emphasising the notion of God’s Divine Oneness. Numerous titles are given to Jesus in the Qur`an, such as al-Masīah, although it does not correspond with the meaning accrued in Christian belief that he is the son of Mary and Gods servant. Jesus is seen in Islam as a precursor to Mohammad, and is believed by Muslims to have foretold His coming.

Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam, was born in Makkah in the year 570CE. As an orphan, he was raised by his uncle who was from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known to be truthful, honest, generous, and sincere. So much so, that they called him ‘The Trustworthy’. Mohammad was very pious, and he had long detested the decadence and idolatry of his society. At the age of 40, Mohammad received his frst revelation from Allah through the Angel Gabriel. The revelations of the words of Allah continued for 23 years, and they are collectively known as the Qur`an.

As soon as he began to recite the Qur`an and preach the truth which Allah had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers sufered persecution from the society around them. The persecution grew so ferce that in the year 622CE Allah gave them the command to migrate to Madinah.

After several years, Mohammad and his followers returned to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies who had once persecuted them relentlessly. Before Mohammad died, at the age of 63, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China. Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the truth and clarity of its teaching.

Prophet Mohammad was a perfect example of an honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful, and brave human being. Though he was a man, he was far removed from all evil characteristics and strove solely for the sake of Allah and his reward in the Hereafter. Moreover, in all of his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of God.

“O Mankind, the Messenger has come to you with the truth from your Lord, so believe; it is better for you. But if you disbelieve – then indeed, to Allah belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and earth. And ever is Allah Knowing and Wise.” (Qur`an 4, 170)