Belief in the Messengers
Pillar 4
Who are the Messengers?
The fourth pillar of Iman is the belief in all the prophets and messengers chosen by Allah to deliver His guidance to humanity. These individuals were human beings of exemplary character, tasked with conveying the message of Tawhid (the oneness of God) and calling people to the right path.
A Chain of Prophethood
Muslims believe in a long line of prophets, beginning with Adam and ending with the final prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon them all). The Quran mentions 25 prophets by name, but it is believed that many more were sent to every nation. Some of the most prominent messengers include:
- Adam
- Nuh (Noah)
- Ibrahim (Abraham)
- Musa (Moses)
- 'Isa (Jesus)
- Muhammad
Belief in all of them is an integral part of faith; rejecting one is akin to rejecting them all.
Muhammad: The Final Messenger
While all prophets are held in the highest regard, Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad was the final messenger, sent to all of humanity with the universal message of Islam. His teachings, as recorded in the Sunnah, and the revelation he received, the Quran, complete the divine guidance that began with the first prophet.