For Muslims, it is essential to know about the Prophets علیھم السلام. Their virtuous qualities as it is essential to know about the supreme Being the Attributes of Allah عزوجل, Most Exalted. It is also essential to have a sound knowledge about Prophethood. So that one may avoid wrong notions and misleading beliefs and avoid uttering anything that may amount to degradation of the Prophets علیھم السلام .
Prophets علیھم السلام were all men
A Prophet علیھم السلام is the person to whom the Divine Revelation from Allah عزوجل, Most Exalted, is bestowed for the guidance of mankind. Such a person is also called an Apostle or Messenger of Allah عزوجل, Most Exalted.
All the Prophets علیھم السلام sent by almighty Allah عزوجل, were human beings and men. No woman was ever accorded the status of a Prophet. It was not obligatory for almighty Allah عزوجل, to send His Prophets علیھم السلام. Nevertheless, out of His extreme kindness He عزوجل, sent the Prophets علیھم السلام for the guidance of mankind. A Prophet must receive Wahi or Divine Revelation. Whether it is bestowed upon him through Angels or through any other means.
The prominent Prophets علیھم السلام of Almighty Allah
Allah عزوجل, the Most High, sent down many Prophets علیھم السلام for the guidance of mankind from the time of Prophet Adam علیھم السلام to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. While some of them have been mentioned specifically in the Holy Quran, many others have not figured in it.
The Prophets علیھم السلام who have been given prominence in the Holy Quran are:. Prophet Ãdam, Prophet Idris (Enoch), Prophet Nuh (Noah) Prophet Ismail (Ishmael), Prophet Ishaaq (Isaac), Prophet Lut (Lot), Prophet Ya’qoob (Jacob), Prophet Yusuf (joseph), Prophet Harun (Aaron), Prophet Dhul Kifl (Ezekiel), Prophet Dawood (David), Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon), Prophet Zakariya (Zecharia), Prophet Yahya (John), Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ) and the Leader of all Prophets Sayyiduna Muhammad ﷺ.
How many Prophets علیھم السلام?
It is not advisable to put an exact figure on the number of Prophets علیھم السلام sent down by Allah عزوجل, the Most Wise, for the guidance of mankind because the opinion on this point differs. The safest way is to believe and say that Allah عزوجل sent more or less 124,000 prophets علیھم السلام.