Is the superiority of prophets over one another mentioned in the Quran?
Submitted by on Wed, 27/10/2010 - 11:34
Dear Brother / Sister,
Yes, the superiority of prophets over one another is mentioned in the Quran. However, it is also stated that we should not discriminate between one another of the prophets.
There may different verses and hadiths regarding an issue. It is necessary to look at each of them as to in which sense they are used. Belief in prophets and the difference among them in terms of virtue are different things. Believers have belief in all prophets. The statement, “We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His Messengers” in the 285th verse of the chapter al-Baqara expresses it. The statement, “Those messengers We endowed with gifts some above others” in the 253rd verse expresses that prophets are different in terms of virtues and levels. Accordingly, it is one of the essentials of belief to believe in all prophets. Although they are all prophets, some of them are superior to others in terms of virtue.
All prophets are equal in terms of prophethood but some of them or each of them will be different because they are given a special superiority, virtue and a different rank. Allah talked to some of them Himself, making them “kalimullah” (one who speaks with Allah); as matter of fact, Musa (Moses) listened to the word of Allah on Mount Sinai and on some special nights without any intermediary or angel. He elevated some of them to higher points. He took His beloved Muhammad, beyond Sidra al-Muntaha (Lote tree of the extremity) and at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer (an-Najm, 53/9), making Him as a mercy for all worlds and the last Prophet and elevating him to the praised station (maqam al-mahmud).
Besides the verse, “We sent thee not, but as a mercy for all creatures”( al-Anbiya, 107) shows that the means of mercy for all creatures is our Prophet (pbuh).
Based on the explanations above, we can say that it is an essential of the belief to love all prophets. However, to love Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) among them, shows the perfection of our belief.
Questions on Islam
- What are the qualities of those who enter the garden of Firdaws? (The Highest Gardens of the Paradise)
- Why is Islam the true religion?
- What does it mean that fasting is a protective shield? How does fasting protect us?
- What is the wisdom and benefit of fasting?
- Is there a type of covering of which Islam has prescribed? What is the purpose of tasattur (covering)? What does “garment of piety (taqwa)” mean? “Why should we cover our bodies in this age?”
- Is marriage without flirtation not possible? What are the disadvantages of flirtation? Does Islam permit flirtation?
- What is an illicit relationship? What should we understand from illicit relationships (e.g prostitution, fornication)?
- What is the wisdom behind circumambulating the Kaaba seven times? What is the meaning of tawaf (circumambulation)
- What is the rule of delaying prayers beyond their proper times at particular times of education and training at school, what should be done? Is it permissible to perform prayers by combining two prayers?
- Is there a rule meaning, "There is no questioning in religion" in Islam?
