The Foundations And Concepts of Islam

 “Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah.”[244]

Four: Belief in the Messengers

To believe that Allaah sent Messengers to His creation in order to give them glad tidings of Paradise if they believe in Allaah and believe in the Messengers, and to warn them of punishment if they disobey. Allaah says,

 “And verily, We have sent among every nation a Messenger (proclaiming): Worship Allaah (alone) and avoid all false deities.”[245]

He also says,

 “Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allaah after the (coming of) Messengers.”[246]

These Messengers are many. The first of them was Noah and the last of them is Muhammad. There are many among them, those whom Allaah told us stories about like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, David, John Zakariah and Saalih. There are also some about whom Allaah tells us nothing. Allaah says,

 “And Messengers We have mentioned to you before and Messengers We have not mentioned to you.”[247]

All these Messengers were humans created by Allaah. They possessed nothing of the qualities of Lordship or Godship. Therefore, no act of worship should be directed to them; for they could avail themselves of any harm or benefit. Allaah says about Prophet Noah,

 “And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allaah, nor that I know the Unseen, nor do I say I am an angel.”[248]