The Prophets, peace be upon them, are the friends (awliya) of Allah

The Prophets, peace be upon them, are the friends of Allah

The Prophets, peace be upon them, are friends of Allah. Allah Almighty reveals His revelation to them. Allah Almighty says:

﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا أَوْ مِن وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ رَسُولًا فَيُوحِيَ بِإِذْنِهِ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَلِيٌّ حَكِيمٌ﴾

“It is not possible for Allah to speak to any servant except through revelation or from behind a veil or by sending a messenger who conveys by His command whatever He wills. Indeed, He is Most High, Most Wise.”
In one place, it is stated that We help Our Messengers in this worldly life and in the Hereafter as well. Allah says:

﴿إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْأَشْهَادُ﴾

“Indeed, We will help Our Messengers and those who believe during the worldly life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the commentary of this verse: “When Allah Almighty mentioned the punishment for the family of Pharaoh in this world, the Barzakh (intermediate state), and the Day of Resurrection, and described the bad condition of the people of Hell who were hostile to His Messengers and fought against them, He said: ﴿إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا﴾ ‘Indeed, We help Our Messengers and those who believe in the worldly life as well.’ This means that We help Our Messengers in this world through proof, evidence, and support. ﴿وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْأَشْهَادُ﴾ ‘And on that Day (We will help) when the witnesses will stand.’ In the Hereafter, We will help them through judgment in their favor, reward their followers, and punish those who fought against their Messengers with severe torment. ﴿يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ الظَّالِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ﴾ (When they make excuses) the excuses of the wrongdoers will not benefit you on that Day. ﴿وَلَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ﴾

‘And for them is a blessing, and for them is a wretched home.’ That is a very bad home which will cause great suffering to those who enter it.”

In one place, it is stated:

﴿وَلَمَّا جَاءَ مُوسَىٰ لِمِيقَاتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُ رَبُّهُ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِي أَنظُرْ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ لَن تَرَانِي وَلَٰكِنِ انظُرْ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ فَإِنِ اسْتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُ فَسَوْفَ تَرَانِي ۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلَّىٰ رَبُّهُ لِلْجَبَلِ جَعَلَهُ دَكًّا وَخَرَّ مُوسَىٰ صَعِقًا ۚ فَلَمَّا أَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾

“And when Musa came at the appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, Musa said: ‘O my Lord! Show Yourself to me so that I may look at You.’ He said: ‘You will never see Me, but look at the mountain; if it remains firm in its place, then you will see Me.’ So when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He made it crumble, and Musa fell unconscious. Then when he recovered, he said: ‘Glory be to You! I repent to You, and I am the first of the believers.’”

﴿آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ ۚ وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ﴾

“The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His angels, His books, and His Messengers. They say: ‘We make no distinction between any of His Messengers.’ And they say: ‘We hear and obey. We seek Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the final return.’”
In one place, Allah Almighty says:

﴿قَالَتْ لَهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ إِن نَّحْنُ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَمُنُّ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ لَنَا أَن نَّأْتِيَكُم بِسُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ﴾

“Their Messengers said to them: ‘Indeed, we are only human like you, but Allah bestows His grace upon whom He wills among His servants. It is not for us to bring you any miracle except by Allah’s permission. And upon Allah should the believers rely.’”
In one place, it is stated:

﴿قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا﴾

“Say: ‘I am only a human being like you, but revelation is sent down to me. Your God is one God, so whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him do righteous deeds and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord.’”
Also, it is stated:

﴿قُل لَّا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَلَوْ كُنتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ ۚ إِنْ أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ﴾

“Say: ‘I do not possess for myself any harm or benefit except what Allah wills. And if I knew the unseen, I would have acquired much good, and no harm would have touched me. I am only a warner to you before a severe punishment.’”

﴿أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ آدَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَاجْتَبَيْنَا ۚ إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَبُكِيًّا﴾

“These are the ones upon whom Allah bestowed favor among the Prophets from the descendants of Adam, and of those We carried with Noah, and of the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and among those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell down in prostration, weeping.”
In one place, regarding the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, it is stated:

﴿وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِكُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا ۗ وَسَيَجْزِي اللَّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ﴾

“Muhammad is no more than a Messenger; many Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels? And whoever turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.”

﴿وَلَوْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيْنَا بَعْضَ الْأَقَاوِيلِ ‎. لَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُ بِالْيَمِينِ. ثُمَّ لَقَطَعْنَا مِنْهُ الْوَتِينَ ‎. فَمَا مِنكُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ عَنْهُ حَاجِزِينَ . وَإِنَّهُ لَتَذْكِرَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ .﴾

“If he had fabricated about Us some sayings, We would have seized him by the right hand, then We would have cut off his aorta. So no one among you could have held him back from it. And indeed, it is a reminder for the fearful.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the commentary of these verses:
If this Messenger had fabricated lies against Allah ﴿بَعْضَ الْأَقَاوِيلِ﴾ “and invented some false sayings,” ﴿لَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُ بِالْيَمِينِ ‎. ثُمَّ لَقَطَعْنَا مِنْهُ الْوَتِينَ .﴾ “We would have seized him by the right hand and cut off his aorta.” ﴿وَتِينَ﴾ “That aorta is the vein near the heart; if it is cut, a person dies.”

Now, below we mention some Prophets and Messengers, peace be upon them, in the light of Quranic verses.

1. Our Master Adam (peace be upon him)

Allah honored Sayyiduna Adam (peace be upon him) with many distinctions. Allah created him with His own hands. He made the angels prostrate to him, and He placed him in His Paradise. Whoever enters Paradise will enter in the form and appearance of Adam (peace be upon him).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«خلق الله آدم وطوله ستون ذراعا ثم قال: اذهب فسلم على أولئك من الملائكة فاستمع ما يحيونك تحيتك وتحية ذريتك فقال السلام عليكم فقالوا السلام عليك ورحمة الله فزادوه ورحمة الله فكل من يدخل الجنة على صورة آدم»

“When Allah created Adam (peace be upon him), He made him sixty cubits tall, then He said: Go and greet the angels and see with what words they respond to your greeting, for that will be your and your descendants’ way of greeting. Adam (peace be upon him) went and said السلام عليكم. The angels replied وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله. He added the phrase ورحمته الله. So whoever enters Paradise will enter in the form, appearance, stature, and height of Adam (peace be upon him).”
Now, please observe some Quranic verses about your Khalifa of Allah on earth, Adam (peace be upon him). May Allah benefit you through them.

﴿وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ . وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْمَاءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنبِئُونِي بِأَسْمَاءِ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ ‎.‏ قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ . قَالَ يَا آدَمُ أَنبِئْهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا أَنبَأَهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ. وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ ‎. وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ . فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ ‎.‏ فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ. قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ‎.‏ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ.﴾

“And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a khalifa (vicegerent),’ they said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?’ Allah said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.’ And He taught Adam the names—all of them—and presented them to the angels and said, ‘Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.’ They said, ‘Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.’ Allah said, ‘O Adam, inform them of their names.’ And when he had informed them of their names, He said, ‘Did I not tell you that I know the unseen of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed?’ And when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers. And We said, ‘O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in [ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.’ But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said, ‘Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time.’ Then Adam received from his Lord words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. We said, ‘Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance—there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs—they are the companions of Hellfire, abiding therein eternally.’”

Iblis’s Rejection for Not Respecting Adam (peace be upon him) and Some Instructions to Adam (peace be upon him):

﴿وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ. قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ. قَالَ فَاهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَن تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَاخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الصَّاغِرِينَ ‎.‏ قَالَ أَنظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ ‎. قَالَ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنظَرِينَ .‏ قَالَ فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ‎. ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُم مِّن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَن شَمَائِلِهِمْ ۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ ‎.‏ قَالَ اخْرُجْ مِنْهَا مَذْءُومًا مَّدْحُورًا ۖ لَّمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ . وَيَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ فَكُلَا مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ . فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ لِيُبْدِيَ لَهُمَا مَا وُورِيَ عَنْهُمَا مِن سَوْآتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهَاكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنْ هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّا أَن تَكُونَا مَلَكَيْنِ أَوْ تَكُونَا مِنَ الْخَالِدِينَ ‎. وَقَاسَمَهُمَا إِنِّي لَكُمَا لَمِنَ النَّاصِحِينَ.‏ فَدَلَّاهُمَا بِغُرُورٍ ۚ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا الشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْآتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ وَنَادَاهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا أَلَمْ أَنْهَكُمَا عَن تِلْكُمَا الشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُل لَّكُمَا إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمَا عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ ‎.قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ.﴾

“And indeed We created you, then We shaped you, then We said to the angels: Prostrate to Adam, all prostrated except Iblis; he was not among those who prostrated. Allah said: What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you? He said: I am better than him; You created me from fire and him from clay. Allah said: Then get out from here, for you have no right to be arrogant in the heavens, so get out; indeed, you are among the disgraced. He said: Give me respite until the Day they are resurrected. Allah said: You are granted respite. He said: Because You have put me astray, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them, from behind them, from their right, and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful. Allah said: Get out from here, disgraced and expelled. Whoever follows you among them, I will surely fill Hell with you all. O Adam, you and your wife (Eve) dwell in Paradise, and eat from wherever you will, but do not approach this tree, lest you become among the wrongdoers. Then Satan whispered to them to reveal to them what was hidden from them of their private parts, and said: Your Lord only forbade you this tree so that you do not become angels or become of the immortals. And he swore to them: Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors. So he caused them to fall through deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten together the leaves of Paradise over themselves. And their Lord called to them: Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is to you a clear enemy? They said: Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.”

The Expulsion of Adam (peace be upon him) from Paradise:

﴿قَالَ اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ .‏ قَالَ فِيهَا تَحْيَوْنَ وَفِيهَا تَمُوتُونَ وَمِنْهَا تُخْرَجُونَ . يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا ۖ وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ .‏ يَا بَنِي آدَمَ لَا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ كَمَا أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُم مِّنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْآتِهِمَا ۗ إِنَّهُ يَرَاكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ.﴾

“(Allah Almighty) said: Descend, some of you are enemies to others, and for you on earth is a place of settlement and provision for a time. He said: You will live therein and die therein, and from it you will be brought out. O children of Adam! We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment, and the clothing of righteousness – that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember. O children of Adam! Let not Satan tempt you as he caused your parents to be expelled from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he and his tribe see you from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe.”

Guidance from Allah:

﴿فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ﴾

“(Prophet) Adam (peace be upon him) learned a few things from his Lord, and Allah accepted his repentance. Indeed, He is the One who accepts repentance and is Most Merciful.”

Prayer and Forgiveness of Adam (peace be upon him):

﴿قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ﴾

“Both said: O our Lord! We have done great injustice to ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be among the losers.”

2. Prophet Idris (peace be upon him)

Sayyiduna Idris (peace be upon him) holds the honor of being the first prophet after Adam and Sheeth (peace be upon them), and he had the opportunity to see Adam (peace be upon him) for three hundred and sixty years. He is also the first person to write with a pen.

When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ascended during the Mi’raj and reached the sixth heaven, he met Idris (peace be upon him).

«قال أنس: فلما مر جبريل بإدريس قال: مرحبا بالنبي الصالح والاخ الصالح ، فقلت: من هذا؟ قال: هذا إدريس»

“Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when Gabriel and Idris (peace be upon him) passed by, they said, ‘Welcome, good prophet and good brother.’ (The Prophet (peace be upon him) said) I asked, ‘Who is this person?’ Gabriel (peace be upon him) replied, ‘This is Idris.'”
And the Quran has mentioned him in this manner, please observe, may Allah protect you.

The Status and Rank of Sayyiduna Idris (peace be upon him):

﴿وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا . وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا.﴾

“And mention in the Book Idris. Indeed, he was a truthful prophet. And We raised him to a high station.”
Abdul Rahman bin Nasir Al-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy on him, writes in the commentary of this verse:
That is, in this noble Book, mention the status and honor of our master Idris (peace be upon him), who is characterized by attributes of perfection. ﴿إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا﴾ Allah Almighty chose him simultaneously for truthfulness… which is complete confirmation, perfect knowledge, firm certainty, and comprehensive righteous deeds… and for His revelation and prophethood. ﴿وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا﴾ That is, Allah Almighty elevated his mention among the worlds and his rank among the close ones. So he was elevated both in terms of mention and in terms of status and rank.

3. Our Master Noah (peace be upon him)

Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) was honored by Allah, the Almighty, with many distinctions. He was the first prophet sent into the world, he was called the second Adam, he was the first to prepare a sea (water) vessel, and he will be the witnessed prophet of the Last Age.

He was given the title “Abd al-Shakoor” (the grateful servant) by Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«فياتون نوحا فيقولون: يا نوح أنت أول الرسل إلى أهل الأرض ، وسماك الله عبدا شكورا»

“(When Adam (peace be upon him) refuses to intercede and plead), people will come to Noah (peace be upon him) and say, O Noah! You are the first prophet on the face of the earth, and Allah has called you ‘Abd al-Shakoor’.”

About Prophet Noah (peace be upon him):

Now read the mention of Noah (peace be upon him) in the light of the Quranic verses and refresh your faith.

The invitation of Noah (peace be upon him) and the condition of his people:

﴿وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ ‎. فَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَوْمِهِ مَا هَٰذَا إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَأَنزَلَ مَلَائِكَةً مَّا سَمِعْنَا بِهَٰذَا فِي آبَائِنَا الْأَوَّلِينَ .‏ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ بِهِ جِنَّةٌ فَتَرَبَّصُوا بِهِ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ .‏ قَالَ رَبِّ انصُرْنِي بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ.﴾

“Indeed, We sent Noah to his people as a messenger. He said: O my people! Worship Allah and fear Him alone; do you not fear Him? The disbelieving chiefs of his people said clearly: He is just like you, a man who wants to excel and be great over you. If Allah had willed, He could have sent down angels; we have never heard of this in the time of our forefathers. Surely, this man is mad, so wait for a while regarding him.” Noah (peace be upon him) prayed: O my Lord! Help me against their denial.”

The command to Noah (peace be upon him) to build the ark and the arrangement of the passengers:

﴿فَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِ أَنِ اصْنَعِ الْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ التَّنُّورُ ۙ فَاسْلُكْ فِيهَا مِن كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ الْقَوْلُ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُخَاطِبْنِي فِي الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ۖ إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ. فَإِذَا اسْتَوَيْتَ أَنتَ وَمَن مَّعَكَ عَلَى الْفُلْكِ فَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي نَجَّانَا مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ.﴾

“So We inspired him, ‘Construct the ship under Our observation and according to Our revelation.’ And when Our command came and the oven overflowed, put into it from each species two mates and your family, except those about whom the word has already gone forth, and do not speak to Me concerning those who have done wrong; indeed, they are to be drowned. And when you and those with you have boarded the ship, say, ‘Praise be to Allah who has saved us from the wrongdoing people.'”

Prayer for reaching the desired destination:

﴿وَقُل رَّبِّ أَنزِلْنِي مُنزَلًا مُّبَارَكًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْمُنزِلِينَ ‎.‏ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ وَإِن كُنَّا لَمُبْتَلِينَ ‎.‏ ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ.﴾

“And say, ‘My Lord, let me land at a blessed landing place, and You are the best to accommodate.’ Indeed, in that are signs, and indeed, We are ever testing. After them, We produced other generations.”

The fate of the people, and Allah’s favor upon Noah (peace be upon him) and his companions:

﴿وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ نُوحٍ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ يَا قَوْمِ إِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكُم مَّقَامِي وَتَذْكِيرِي بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ فَعَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ فَأَجْمِعُوا أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَاءَكُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُنْ أَمْرُكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ غُمَّةً ثُمَّ اقْضُوا إِلَيَّ وَلَا تُنظِرُونِ ‎. فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُم مِّنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ. فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَنَجَّيْنَاهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُ فِي الْفُلْكِ وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ خَلَائِفَ وَأَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا ۖ فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُنذَرِينَ.﴾

“Recite to them the story of Noah, when he said to his people, ‘O my people! If my stay and my reminding you of the commands of Allah is burdensome to you, then my reliance is only on Allah. You plan your scheme along with your associates, then your scheme should not cause you any distress. Then deal with me and do not give me respite. But if you turn away, I have not asked you for any reward; my reward is only with Allah, and I have been commanded to be among the obedient.’ But they denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship and made them successors, and We drowned those who denied Our signs. So see how was the end of those who were warned.”

The Severity of the Punishment and the Misfortune of the Son:

﴿وَهِيَ تَجْرِي بِهِمْ فِي مَوْجٍ كَالْجِبَالِ وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ ابْنَهُ وَكَانَ فِي مَعْزِلٍ يَا بُنَيَّ ارْكَب مَّعَنَا وَلَا تَكُن مَّعَ الْكَافِرِينَ ‎.‏ قَالَ سَآوِي إِلَىٰ جَبَلٍ يَعْصِمُنِي مِنَ الْمَاءِ ۚ قَالَ لَا عَاصِمَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ۚ وَحَالَ بَيْنَهُمَا الْمَوْجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُغْرَقِينَ ‎. وَقِيلَ يَا أَرْضُ ابْلَعِي مَاءَكِ وَيَا سَمَاءُ أَقْلِعِي وَغِيضَ الْمَاءُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَاسْتَوَتْ عَلَى الْجُودِيِّ ۖ وَقِيلَ بُعْدًا لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ ‎. وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ رَّبَّهُ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ابْنِي مِنْ أَهْلِي وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنتَ أَحْكَمُ الْحَاكِمِينَ.قَالَ يَا نُوحُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَالِحٍ ۖ فَلَا تَسْأَلْنِ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۖ إِنِّي أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ.﴾

“And the ark was carrying them on waves like mountains, and Noah called out to his son who was on a certain hill, saying, ‘O my dear child! Come aboard with us and do not be among the disbelievers.’ He said, ‘I will take refuge on a mountain that will save me from the water.’ Noah said, ‘There is no protector today from the decree of Allah except for those upon whom Allah has mercy.’ Then the waves came between them, and he was among the drowned. It was said, ‘O earth! Swallow your water, and O sky! Cease.’ And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and the ark came to rest on Mount Judi. And it was said, ‘Cursed be the wrongdoers.’ Noah called upon his Lord and said, ‘My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; indeed, Your promise is true, and You are the most just of judges.’ Allah said, ‘O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, he is [one whose] work was other than righteous, so do not ask Me about that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant.’ Noah said, ‘My Lord, I seek refuge in You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge.'”

The Prayer of Noah (peace be upon him) and Allah’s Reward:

﴿قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَغْفِرْ لِي وَتَرْحَمْنِي أَكُن مِّنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ . قِيلَ يَا نُوحُ اهْبِطْ بِسَلَامٍ مِّنَّا وَبَرَكَاتٍ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ أُمَمٍ مِّمَّن مَّعَكَ ۚ وَأُمَمٌ سَنُمَتِّعُهُمْ ثُمَّ يَمَسُّهُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ .‏ تِلْكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهَا إِلَيْكَ ۖ مَا كُنتَ تَعْلَمُهَا أَنتَ وَلَا قَوْمُكَ مِن قَبْلِ هَٰذَا ۖ فَاصْبِرْ ۖ إِنَّ الْعَاقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ.﴾

“If You do not forgive me and have mercy on me, I will surely be among the losers.” It was said, “O Noah, disembark in peace from Us and blessings upon you and upon nations [descending] from those with you. But other nations We will grant enjoyment to; then there will touch them from Us a painful punishment. These are tidings of the unseen which We reveal to you. Neither you nor your people knew them before this. So be patient; indeed, the outcome is for the righteous.”

4. Sayyiduna Hud (peace be upon him)

Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) was sent as a caller to a people who were as tall as the trunks of date palms and the strongest among all humans. The mention of punishment for them is repeatedly found in the books of Hadith, to the extent that if it rained, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would become worried that it might bring a message of destruction similar to that of the ‘Ad people for us.

Now, let us study the efforts and struggles of Hud (peace be upon him) in the light of some Quranic verses, learn lessons from the tragic end of his people, and pray to Allah, the Turner of hearts, to grant us the ability to adopt the qualities of the believers and the friends of Allah.

The invitation of Hud (peace be upon him) and the objections of his people:

﴿وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا ۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۚ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ .‏ قَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَوْمِهِ إِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِي سَفَاهَةٍ وَإِنَّا لَنَظُنُّكَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ .‏ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَيْسَ بِي سَفَاهَةٌ وَلَٰكِنِّي رَسُولٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.أُبَلِّغُكُمْ رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّي وَأَنَا لَكُمْ نَاصِحٌ أَمِينٌ ‎.‏ أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ أَن جَاءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنكُمْ لِيُنذِرَكُمْ ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَاءَ مِن بَعْدِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَزَادَكُمْ فِي الْخَلْقِ بَسْطَةً ۖ فَاذْكُرُوا آلَاءَ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ . قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا لِنَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ وَنَذَرَ مَا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُنَا ۖ فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ.﴾

“And We sent to the people of ‘Aad their brother Hud. He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Will you not fear Him?’ The prominent disbelievers among his people said, ‘Indeed, we see you in foolishness, and indeed, we think you are of the liars.’ He said, ‘O my people, there is no foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds. I convey to you the messages of my Lord, and I am to you a trustworthy adviser. And do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among yourselves, that he may warn you and that you might fear Allah and remember Him? And Allah has made you successors after the people of Noah and increased you in stature extensively. So remember the favors of Allah that you might succeed.’ They said, ‘Have you come to us that we should worship Allah alone and leave what our fathers worshipped? Then bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you should be of the truthful.'”

Warning of punishment for disbelievers and the good end of the believers:

﴿قَالَ قَدْ وَقَعَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ رِجْسٌ وَغَضَبٌ ۖ أَتُجَادِلُونَنِي فِي أَسْمَاءٍ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ ۚ فَانتَظِرُوا إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ الْمُنتَظِرِينَ ‎. فَأَنجَيْنَاهُ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَقَطَعْنَا دَابِرَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا ۖ وَمَا كَانُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ.﴾

“He said, ‘Now the punishment and wrath from Allah have certainly come upon you. Do you dispute with me about names which you and your forefathers have invented, for which Allah has sent down no authority? So wait; indeed, I am with you among those who wait.’ Thus We saved him and those with him by Our mercy, and We cut off the root of those who denied Our signs and were not believers.”

Causes of the destruction of the nation:

﴿فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً ۖ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً ۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ. فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِي أَيَّامٍ نَّحِسَاتٍ لِّنُذِيقَهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَخْزَىٰ ۖ وَهُمْ لَا يُنصَرُونَ.﴾

“Now the habitual sinners began to rebel on the earth without any reason and said, ‘Who is mightier than us?’ Did they not see that the One who created them is far mightier than them? They continued to deny Our signs until the end. Eventually, We sent upon them a fierce, destructive wind during ill-omened days so that We might make them taste the punishment of humiliation in the worldly life. Indeed, the punishment of the Hereafter is far more disgraceful, and they will receive no help.”

Hud’s (peace be upon him) preaching and admonition on the sand dunes:

﴿وَاذْكُرْ أَخَا عَادٍ إِذْ أَنذَرَ قَوْمَهُ بِالْأَحْقَافِ وَقَدْ خَلَتِ النُّذُرُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا اللَّهَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ ‎. قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا لِتَأْفِكَنَا عَنْ آلِهَتِنَا فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ ‎.‏ قَالَ إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَأُبَلِّغُكُم مَّا أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ وَلَٰكِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ قَوْمًا تَجْهَلُونَ.﴾

“Remember the brother of ‘Aad when he warned his people in Al-Ahqaf (Al-Ahqaf is the plural of Haqf, which refers to long sand dunes that are like mountains in length and width, but technically it is the name of the southwestern part of the Arabian desert called Al-Rub’ Al-Anhali, near Hadramaut (Yemen), where there is no settlement today. Some have interpreted it as mountains and caves. This also refers to ‘Aad the first). And indeed, before him, there were warners who passed away, and after him as well, saying: You shall worship none but Allah. I fear for you the punishment of a Great Day.” The people replied: “Have you come to us to turn us away from our gods? Then bring upon us the punishment you promise if you are truthful.” (Prophet Hud, peace be upon him) said: “The knowledge of it is with Allah alone. I am only conveying to you the message with which I was sent, but I see that you are a people who are ignorant.”

Being happy at the nation’s punishment due to ignorance:

﴿فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ عَارِضًا مُّسْتَقْبِلَ أَوْدِيَتِهِمْ قَالُوا هَٰذَا عَارِضٌ مُّمْطِرُنَا ۚ بَلْ هُوَ مَا اسْتَعْجَلْتُم بِهِ ۖ رِيحٌ فِيهَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ‎. تُدَمِّرُ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ بِأَمْرِ رَبِّهَا فَأَصْبَحُوا لَا يُرَىٰ إِلَّا مَسَاكِنُهُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْقَوْمَ الْمُجْرِمِينَ.﴾

“Then when they saw the punishment as a cloud approaching their fields, they said: This is a cloud that will rain upon us. (No) rather, it is the punishment you were hastening, a painful punishment in which everything will be destroyed by the command of its Lord. So they became such that nothing was visible except their houses. Thus do We punish the guilty groups.”

5. Prophet Salih (peace be upon him)

Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) was sent to the people of Thamud, who lived near Madain Salih, Al-Hijr, which is now in present-day Saudi Arabia. During the expedition of Tabuk, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed through the ruined area of their people, as mentioned in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim. Observe a glimpse of how the Quran narrates the events of Salih (peace be upon him) and the people of Thamud.

The invitation to the people and advice regarding Allah’s sign, the she-camel:

﴿وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا ۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ هَٰذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ آيَةً ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِي أَرْضِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ.وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَاءَ مِن بَعْدِ عَادٍ وَبَوَّأَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِن سُهُولِهَا قُصُورًا وَتَنْحِتُونَ الْجِبَالَ بُيُوتًا ۖ فَاذْكُرُوا آلَاءَ اللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ ‎. قَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا مِن قَوْمِهِ لِلَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا لِمَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ أَتَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ صَالِحًا مُّرْسَلٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۚ قَالُوا إِنَّا بِمَا أُرْسِلَ بِهِ مُؤْمِنُونَ.﴾

“And We sent to Thamud their brother Salih. He said: O my people! Worship Allah; there is no deity for you other than Him. There has come to you a clear proof from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allah, a sign for you, so leave her to graze on Allah’s earth and do not harm her, lest a painful punishment seize you. And remember when He made you successors after ‘Aad and settled you in the land, making you dwell in the plains and carve out homes in the mountains. So remember the favors of Allah and do not spread corruption in the land.” Among their people were arrogant chiefs who said to the poor believers among them: Do you indeed have certainty that Salih was sent by his Lord? They said: Indeed, we are certain of what he was sent with.”

The Misery of the People of the Nation:

﴿قَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا إِنَّا بِالَّذِي آمَنتُم بِهِ كَافِرُونَ ‎.‏ فَعَقَرُوا النَّاقَةَ وَعَتَوْا عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقَالُوا يَا صَالِحُ ائْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ ‎.فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ ‎. فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّي وَنَصَحْتُ لَكُمْ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُحِبُّونَ النَّاصِحِينَ.﴾

“The arrogant people said: We reject what you have believed in. So they killed the she-camel and disobeyed the command of their Lord, and said: O Salih! Bring forth what you threaten us with, if you are indeed a prophet. Then a earthquake seized them, so they lay overturned in their homes. At that time (Salih) turned away from them and said: O my people! I have conveyed to you the command of my Lord and I have been a well-wisher to you, but you do not like well-wishers.”

6. Our Master Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him

Our Master Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is among the Ulul Azm Prophets. He underwent great trials for the sake of Allah’s Oneness, but he remained steadfast like a mountain through all these tests. As a reward, Allah made him His Khalil (close friend) and mentioned him beautifully throughout His sacred scripture. Below, we mention some of these verses.

Calling the people and breaking idols:

﴿وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ رُشْدَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِ عَالِمِينَ ‎. إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ مَا هَٰذِهِ التَّمَاثِيلُ الَّتِي أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَاكِفُونَ ‎. قَالُوا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءَنَا لَهَا عَابِدِينَ ‎. قَالَ لَقَدْ كُنتُمْ أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُمْ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ ‎.‏ قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا بِالْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ اللَّاعِبِينَ . قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ الَّذِي فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ‎.‏ وَتَاللَّهِ لَأَكِيدَنَّ أَصْنَامَكُم بَعْدَ أَن تُوَلُّوا مُدْبِرِينَ.فَجَعَلَهُمْ جُذَاذًا إِلَّا كَبِيرًا لَّهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ يَرْجِعُونَ. قَالُوا مَن فَعَلَ هَٰذَا بِآلِهَتِنَا إِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ ‎. قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا فَتًى يَذْكُرُهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ . قَالُوا فَأْتُوا بِهِ عَلَىٰ أَعْيُنِ النَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْهَدُونَ ‎. قَالُوا أَأَنتَ فَعَلْتَ هَٰذَا بِآلِهَتِنَا يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ ‎.‏ قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَٰذَا فَاسْأَلُوهُمْ إِن كَانُوا يَنطِقُونَ ‎. فَرَجَعُوا إِلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ فَقَالُوا إِنَّكُمْ أَنتُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ . ثُمَّ نُكِسُوا عَلَىٰ رُءُوسِهِمْ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ يَنطِقُونَ .‏ قَالَ أَفَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَضُرُّكُمْ ‎.‏ أُفٍّ لَّكُمْ وَلِمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ.﴾

“Indeed, We had given Abraham understanding before this, and We were well acquainted with him, when he said to his father and his people, ‘What are these statues to which you are devoted?’ They said, ‘We found our forefathers worshipping them.’ He said, ‘Indeed, you and your forefathers have been in manifest error.’ They said, ‘Have you come to us with truth, or are you just jesting?’ He said, ‘Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I am of those who bear witness to that. And by Allah, I will surely plan against your idols after you have turned away.’ So he broke them into pieces, except the largest of them, that they might return to it. They said, ‘Who has done this to our gods? Indeed, he is of the wrongdoers.’ They said, ‘We heard a young man mention them who is called Abraham.’ They said, ‘Then bring him before the eyes of the people that they may testify.’ They said, ‘O Abraham! Is it you who has done this to our gods?’ He said, ‘Rather, this – the largest of them – did it, so ask them, if they should speak.’ So they returned to themselves and said, ‘Indeed, you are the wrongdoers.’ Then they reversed themselves, saying, ‘You know very well that these do not speak.’ The friend of Allah said at that moment, ‘Do you worship that which neither benefits you nor harms you? Fie upon you and upon what you worship besides Allah. Have you no sense?'”

The Nation’s Attempt to Burn Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and the Cooling of the Fire:

﴿قَالُوا حَرِّقُوهُ وَانصُرُوا آلِهَتَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ فَاعِلِينَ .‏ قُلْنَا يَا نَارُ كُونِي بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ‎. وَأَرَادُوا بِهِ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَاهُمُ الْأَخْسَرِينَ.﴾

“(When they could not find any answer to him) they said: Burn him and seek help from your gods if you are to do anything. We said: O fire! Be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim. Although they intended harm to Ibrahim, We made them the ones who suffered loss.”

Invitation to the Father and Separation from the Father:

﴿وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا ‎. إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِي عَنكَ شَيْئًا ‎.يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي قَدْ جَاءَنِي مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَاتَّبِعْنِي أَهْدِكَ صِرَاطًا سَوِيًّا ‎.‏ يَا أَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ الشَّيْطَانَ ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَصِيًّا ‎. يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِّنَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيًّا ‎.‏ قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنْ آلِهَتِي يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ ۖ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَ ۖ وَاهْجُرْنِي مَلِيًّا . قَالَ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكَ ۖ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّي ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِي حَفِيًّا ‎. وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَأَدْعُو رَبِّي عَسَىٰ أَلَّا أَكُونَ بِدُعَاءِ رَبِّي شَقِيًّا ‎.﴾

“In this book, the story of Abraham is narrated; indeed, he was a truthful prophet. When he said to his father: O my father! Why do you worship that which neither hears nor sees nor benefits you at all? O my kind father! Look, I have come to possess knowledge that you do not have. So obey me, I will guide you to the straight path. O my father! Refrain from worshipping Satan. Satan is indeed a disobedient servant of the Most Merciful Allah. Father! I fear that a punishment from Allah may befall you and you may become a companion of Satan. He replied: O Abraham! Are you turning away from our gods? If you do not desist, I will surely stone you. So leave me alone while you are safe. He said: Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you; indeed, He has always been kind to me. I will leave you and those whom you call upon besides Allah. I call only upon my Lord. I am certain that I will not be deprived of asking my Lord for help.”

Praise of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in the words of the Quran:

﴿وَمَا كَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لَأَوَّاهٌ حَلِيمٌ.﴾

“And Abraham’s prayer for forgiveness for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he disassociated himself from him. Indeed, Abraham was most tender-hearted and forbearing.”

The lifestyle and approach of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his descendants:

﴿إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ‎.‏ وَوَصَّىٰ بِهَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعْقُوبُ يَا بَنِيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ الدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ ‎. أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِي قَالُوا نَعْبُدُ إِلَٰهَكَ وَإِلَٰهَ آبَائِكَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِلَٰهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ ‎. تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ ۖ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ .وَقَالُوا كُونُوا هُودًا أَوْ نَصَارَىٰ تَهْتَدُوا ۗ قُلْ بَلْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ‎.‏ قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ.﴾

“Whenever his Lord said to him: Be obedient, he said: I have become obedient to the Lord of the worlds. This was the legacy of Abraham and Jacob to their children: O my children! Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die except as Muslims. Were you present at the time of Jacob’s death, when he said to his children: After me, whom will you worship? They all replied: Your God and the God of your forefathers, and the God of Ishmael and Isaac, the one God, and we will remain obedient to Him. That group has passed away; what they did is for them, and what you do is for you. You will not be questioned about their deeds. They say: Become Jews or Christians, and you will be guided. Say: Rather, the true guidance is the religion of Abraham, the upright, who was neither a polytheist. O Muslims! You all say: We believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, and what Allah gave to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets (peace be upon them). We make no distinction among any of them; we are obedient to Allah.”

Receiving Imamate after Trial:

﴿وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ.﴾

“When Abraham was tested by his Lord with certain commands, and he fulfilled them all, Allah said, ‘I will make you a leader for the people.’ He said, ‘And also from my offspring?’ He said, ‘My covenant does not include the wrongdoers.'”

The Religion of Abraham:

﴿وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَاتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا ۗ وَاتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلًا﴾

“Who is better in religion than one who submits his face to Allah while being a doer of good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as a friend.”

7. Sayyiduna Ismail (peace be upon him)

Sayyiduna Ismail, the ancestor of the prophets, is the son of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Allah not only chose him for His prophethood but also honored his prayer by selecting the last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from among his descendants. In short, he (peace be upon him) has the distinction of being a prophet, having a prophet father, a prophet brother, a nephew Yaqub who is a prophet, and the final prophet of the end of times from his own progeny.

The obedience of Ismail’s (peace be upon him) mother and her eagerness to sacrifice in the way of Allah:

Allah Almighty says:

﴿وَقَالَ إِنِّي ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ . رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ .‏ فَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِغُلَامٍ حَلِيمٍ ‎.‏ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ.فَلَمَّا أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُ لِلْجَبِينِ ‎. وَنَادَيْنَاهُ أَن يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ. قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ الرُّؤْيَا ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ ‎.‏ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْبَلَاءُ الْمُبِينُ ‎. وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ .‏ وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِي الْآخِرِينَ ‎.‏ سَلَامٌ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ . كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ ‎. إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ‎. وَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِإِسْحَاقَ نَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ . وَبَارَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَىٰ إِسْحَاقَ ۚ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا مُحْسِنٌ وَظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ مُبِينٌ .﴾

“And he said: I am going to my Lord, who will guide me. O my Lord! Grant me a righteous offspring.” So We gave him the good news of a forbearing boy. Then when the boy reached an age to work with him, Ibrahim said: O my dear son! I saw in a dream that I am sacrificing you. Now tell me what you think. The son replied: O my father! Do as you are commanded; if Allah wills, you will find me among the patient ones. So when both had submitted and the father had laid him down on his forehead, We called out to him: O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was a clear trial, and We ransomed him with a great sacrifice, and We left his mention among later generations. Peace be upon Ibrahim. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, he was one of Our believing servants. And We gave him the good news of Isaac, a prophet from among the righteous. And We blessed Ibrahim and Isaac. Among their descendants are some who do good and some who wrong themselves.”
At another place, Allah Almighty mentions them saying:

﴿وَنَادَيْنَاهُ مِن جَانِبِ الطُّورِ الْأَيْمَنِ وَقَرَّبْنَاهُ نَجِيًّا . وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ مِن رَّحْمَتِنَا أَخَاهُ هَارُونَ نَبِيًّا .‏ وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا ‎. وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِ مَرْضِيًّا.﴾

“In this Book, relate the story of Ismail. Indeed, he was true to his promise, a messenger and a prophet. And he used to enjoin prayer and zakah on his family, and he was pleasing in the sight of his Lord.”

8. Sayyiduna Ishaq (peace be upon him)

Sayyiduna Ishaq (peace be upon him) is also the son of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and the younger brother of Ismail (peace be upon him). Allah has also honored him by granting that his son Yaqub, grandson Yusuf, and later from his descendants, Musa, Isa, Yahya, and Zakariya (peace be upon them) were born, and other prophets of Bani Israel also come from his progeny.

﴿وَبَشَّرْنَاهُ بِإِسْحَاقَ نَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ . وَبَارَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَىٰ إِسْحَاقَ ۚ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا مُحْسِنٌ وَظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ مُبِينٌ .﴾

“And We gave him the good news of Ishaq, a prophet from among the righteous. And We blessed Ibrahim and Ishaq (peace be upon them), and among their descendants are some who do good, and some who wrong themselves.”

The birth of Ishaq (peace be upon him):

﴿وَلَقَدْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ بِالْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوا سَلَامًا ۖ قَالَ سَلَامٌ ۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَاءَ بِعِجْلٍ حَنِيذٍ . فَلَمَّا رَأَىٰ أَيْدِيَهُمْ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ نَكِرَهُمْ وَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً ۚ قَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ إِنَّا أُرْسِلْنَا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ . وَامْرَأَتُهُ قَائِمَةٌ فَضَحِكَتْ فَبَشَّرْنَاهَا بِإِسْحَاقَ وَمِن وَرَاءِ إِسْحَاقَ يَعْقُوبَ.قَالَتْ يَا وَيْلَتَىٰ أَأَلِدُ وَأَنَا عَجُوزٌ وَهَٰذَا بَعْلِي شَيْخًا ۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَيْءٌ عَجِيبٌ ‎.‏ قَالُوا أَتَعْجَبِينَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ ۖ رَحْمَتُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ ۚ إِنَّهُ حَمِيدٌ مَّجِيدٌ.﴾

“And Our messengers came to Abraham with good news; they said, ‘Peace.’ He said, ‘Peace,’ and did not delay in bringing a roasted calf. But when he saw that their hands did not reach for it, he became suspicious of them and felt fear within himself. They said, ‘Do not be afraid; indeed, we have been sent to the people of Lot.’ And his wife was standing, and she laughed. So We gave her good tidings of Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob. She said, ‘Woe to me! Shall I bear a child when I am an old woman and this my husband is an old man? Indeed, this is an amazing thing!’ They said, ‘Are you amazed at the decree of Allah? May the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you, people of this house. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Honorable.'”

9. Prophet Shu’ayb (peace be upon him)

The Prophet of Allah, Shuayb (peace be upon him), is also from the descendants of Midian, the son of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Allah sent him to the people of Midian, and the people of Al-Aykah were also from his nation. Aykah was a tree that his people used to worship, and he was also given the title “Khatib al-Anbiya” (the Orator of the Prophets).

He was sent after Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) in a relatively close era.

The Quran introduces him and presents the account of his invitation as follows:

﴿وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا ۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ فَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ‎. وَلَا تَقْعُدُوا بِكُلِّ صِرَاطٍ تُوعِدُونَ وَتَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِهِ وَتَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ كُنتُمْ قَلِيلًا فَكَثَّرَكُمْ ۖ وَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ . وَإِن كَانَ طَائِفَةٌ مِّنكُمْ آمَنُوا بِالَّذِي أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ وَطَائِفَةٌ لَّمْ يُؤْمِنُوا فَاصْبِرُوا حَتَّىٰ يَحْكُمَ اللَّهُ بَيْنَنَا ۚ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ. قَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا مِن قَوْمِهِ لَنُخْرِجَنَّكَ يَا شُعَيْبُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَكَ مِن قَرْيَتِنَا أَوْ لَتَعُودُنَّ فِي مِلَّتِنَا ۚ قَالَ أَوَلَوْ كُنَّا كَارِهِينَ ‎.‏ قَدِ افْتَرَيْنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا إِنْ عُدْنَا فِي مِلَّتِكُم بَعْدَ إِذْ نَجَّانَا اللَّهُ مِنْهَا ۚ وَمَا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَن نَّعُودَ فِيهَا إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ رَبُّنَا ۚ وَسِعَ رَبُّنَا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا ۚ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا افْتَحْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْفَاتِحِينَ ‎.‏ وَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن قَوْمِهِ لَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتُمْ شُعَيْبًا إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا لَّخَاسِرُونَ ‎.فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ .‏ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا شُعَيْبًا كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا فِيهَا ۚ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا شُعَيْبًا كَانُوا هُمُ الْخَاسِرِينَ ‎. فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّي وَنَصَحْتُ لَكُمْ ۖ فَكَيْفَ آسَىٰ عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ كَافِرِينَ.﴾

“And We sent to the people of Midian their brother Shu’ayb. He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord, so give full measure and full weight and do not deprive people of their due and cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. That is better for you if you should be believers. And do not sit on every path threatening and averting from the way of Allah those who believe in Him, and seek to make it seem deviant. And remember when you were few and He increased you. And see how was the end of the corrupters. And if there should be among you a few who have believed in that with which I have been sent and a few who have not believed, then be patient until Allah judges between us. And He is the best of judges.’ The arrogant leaders of his people said, ‘Indeed, we will surely expel you, O Shu’ayb, and those who have believed with you from our city or you must return to our religion.’ He said, ‘Even if we were unwilling? We would have invented against Allah a lie if we returned to your religion after Allah has saved us from it. And it is not for us to return to it except that Allah, our Lord, should will. Our Lord encompasses all things in knowledge; upon Him we rely. Our Lord, judge between us in truth, and You are the best of judges.’ And the disbelieving leaders of his people said, ‘If you should follow Shu’ayb, indeed, you would then be losers.’ So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home fallen prone. Those who denied Shu’ayb – it was as if they had never inhabited them. Those who denied Shu’ayb were the losers. Then Shu’ayb turned away from them and said, ‘O my people, I have conveyed to you the messages of my Lord and advised you, but you do not like the advisers.'”

10, 11. Prophet Yaqub (peace be upon him) and Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him)

Allah has also mentioned these two prophets in His sacred scripture. The incident of Sayyiduna Yusuf (Joseph) عليه السلام is called “the best of stories.” It is detailed in Surah Yusuf. Once the Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was asked:

«من أكرم الناس؟ قال: أكرمهم أتقاهم، قالو: يا نبي الله، ليس عن هذا نسألك ، قال: فأكرم الناس يوسف نبي الله ابن الله ابن نبي الله ابن خليل الله»

“Who is the most honored and noble?” The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم replied, “The one who is the most pious is the most honored.” The Companions رضي الله عنهم said, “Our question does not mean that.” The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم then said, “Then the most honored and respected and dignified are Allah’s Prophet Yusuf عليه السلام because he himself is a prophet of Allah, his father (Yaqub عليه السلام) is also a prophet of Allah, then his father (i.e., Yusuf’s grandfather Ishaq عليه السلام) is also a prophet of Allah, then his father (Ibrahim عليه السلام, Yusuf’s great-grandfather, who is Khalilullah) is also a prophet. No one can have a higher honor and noble status than them. Such a lineage cannot be attained by anyone else.”
In another narration, the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم praised Yusuf عليه السلام as follows:

«ولو لبثت فى السجن طول ما لبث يوسف لا جبت الداعى»

“And if I had stayed in prison as long as Yusuf عليه السلام did, I would surely have obeyed the king’s messenger.”
So no one can have a higher honor, dignity, and status than them. Such a lineage cannot be attained by anyone else. Now let us learn about these two honored and respected pure prophets of Allah through the words of the Quran.

The Dream of Yusuf (peace be upon him) and the Blessings of Allah Almighty:

﴿إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ.قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا ۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ. وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَا أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾

“When Yusuf said to his father, ‘O my dear father! I saw eleven stars and the sun and the moon prostrating to me.’ Jacob said, ‘My dear child! Do not mention your dream to your brothers, lest they plot against you. Indeed, Satan is a clear enemy to man.’ And thus your Lord will choose you (for His purpose), and teach you the interpretation of dreams, and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He completed it upon your forefathers Abraham and Isaac. Indeed, your Lord is All-Knowing, Most Wise.”

Conspiracy and Plot:

﴿لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ آيَاتٌ لِّلسَّائِلِينَ ‎. إِذْ قَالُوا لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىٰ أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ . اقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ أَوِ اطْرَحُوهُ أَرْضًا يَخْلُ لَكُمْ وَجْهُ أَبِيكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا مِن بَعْدِهِ قَوْمًا صَالِحِينَ ‎.‏ قَالَ قَائِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ لَا تَقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ وَأَلْقُوهُ فِي غَيَابَتِ الْجُبِّ يَلْتَقِطْهُ بَعْضُ السَّيَّارَةِ إِن كُنتُمْ فَاعِلِينَ .﴾

“Indeed, Yusuf and his brothers are signs for those who ask questions, while they said, ‘Yusuf and his brother are more beloved to our father than we are, although we are a strong group. Surely, our father is in clear error.’ (Consulting among themselves, they said) ‘Kill Yusuf or cast him out to some distant land so that your father’s attention will be only on you. Then you will be righteous.’ One of them said: ‘Do not kill Yusuf, but throw him into an unknown, deep well; some caravan may pick him up. If you must do something, do it this way.'”

Trying to reassure Yusuf’s brothers and the father’s concerns:

﴿قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا مَا لَكَ لَا تَأْمَنَّا عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَنَاصِحُونَ ‎. أَرْسِلْهُ مَعَنَا غَدًا يَرْتَعْ وَيَلْعَبْ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ . قَالَ إِنِّي لَيَحْزُنُنِي أَن تَذْهَبُوا بِهِ وَأَخَافُ أَن يَأْكُلَهُ الذِّئْبُ وَأَنتُمْ عَنْهُ غَافِلُونَ ‎. قَالُوا لَئِنْ أَكَلَهُ الذِّئْبُ وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّا إِذًا لَّخَاسِرُونَ.﴾

They said: O our father! Why do you not trust us concerning Yusuf? We are indeed his well-wishers. Send him with us tomorrow so that he may enjoy himself and play; we will be responsible for his safety. (Yaqub, peace be upon him, said): It grieves me that you should take him with you, and I fear that a wolf may devour him in your care. They replied: If a wolf should devour him while we are a strong group, then indeed we are utterly helpless.

Yusuf, peace be upon him, in the well and his brothers crying:

﴿فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوا بِهِ وَأَجْمَعُوا أَن يَجْعَلُوهُ فِي غَيَابَتِ الْجُبِّ ۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ ‎. وَجَاءُوا أَبَاهُمْ عِشَاءً يَبْكُونَ ‎.‏ قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا إِنَّا ذَهَبْنَا نَسْتَبِقُ وَتَرَكْنَا يُوسُفَ عِندَ مَتَاعِنَا فَأَكَلَهُ الذِّئْبُ ۖ وَمَا أَنتَ بِمُؤْمِنٍ لَّنَا وَلَوْ كُنَّا صَادِقِينَ .‏ وَجَاءُوا عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِ بِدَمٍ كَذِبٍ ۚ قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ.﴾

“Then when they took him and agreed to throw him into a dark well, We revealed to Yusuf (peace be upon him) that indeed the time is coming when you will inform them of this matter while they do not realize it. And in the darkness of the night, they came to their father weeping, and said, ‘O our father! We raced among ourselves and left Yusuf near our belongings, then a wolf devoured him. You will not believe us even if we are truthful.’ And they also brought Yusuf’s shirt stained with false blood. The father said: ‘It is not as you say, but you have made up something in your hearts. So patience is better, and help is sought from Allah against what you describe.'”

Yusuf (peace be upon him) in the market of Egypt:

﴿وَجَاءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُ ۖ قَالَ يَا بُشْرَىٰ هَٰذَا غُلَامٌ ۚ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَاعَةً ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ . وَشَرَوْهُ بِثَمَنٍ بَخْسٍ دَرَاهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ وَكَانُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الزَّاهِدِينَ .وَقَالَ الَّذِي اشْتَرَاهُ مِن مِّصْرَ لِامْرَأَتِهِ أَكْرِمِي مَثْوَاهُ عَسَىٰ أَن يَنفَعَنَا أَوْ نَتَّخِذَهُ وَلَدًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ مَكَّنَّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهُ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰ أَمْرِهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ . وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ آتَيْنَاهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ.﴾

“And a caravan came, and they sent their water-drawer, who let down his bucket. He said, ‘Good news! Here is a boy.’ They concealed him as merchandise, and Allah was aware of what they were doing. They sold him for a very low price, a few dirhams counted, and they were indifferent to him. And the one from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, ‘Treat him well; perhaps he will benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son.’ Thus We established Joseph in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of events. And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know. And when he reached maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. And thus We reward the doers of good.”

The Queen’s Tricks and Allah’s Help:

﴿وَرَاوَدَتْهُ الَّتِي هُوَ فِي بَيْتِهَا عَن نَّفْسِهِ وَغَلَّقَتِ الْأَبْوَابَ وَقَالَتْ هَيْتَ لَكَ ۚ قَالَ مَعَاذَ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ رَبِّي أَحْسَنَ مَثْوَايَ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الظَّالِمُونَ ‎. وَلَقَدْ هَمَّتْ بِهِ ۖ وَهَمَّ بِهَا لَوْلَا أَن رَّأَىٰ بُرْهَانَ رَبِّهِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ ۚ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ ‎.‏ وَاسْتَبَقَا الْبَابَ وَقَدَّتْ قَمِيصَهُ مِن دُبُرٍ وَأَلْفَيَا سَيِّدَهَا لَدَى الْبَابِ ۚ قَالَتْ مَا جَزَاءُ مَنْ أَرَادَ بِأَهْلِكَ سُوءًا إِلَّا أَن يُسْجَنَ أَوْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ . قَالَ هِيَ رَاوَدَتْنِي عَن نَّفْسِي ۚ وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِهَا إِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُ قُدَّ مِن قُبُلٍ فَصَدَقَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ. وَإِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُ قُدَّ مِن دُبُرٍ فَكَذَبَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ .‏ فَلَمَّا رَأَىٰ قَمِيصَهُ قُدَّ مِن دُبُرٍ قَالَ إِنَّهُ مِن كَيْدِكُنَّ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَكُنَّ عَظِيمٌ ‎.‏ يُوسُفُ أَعْرِضْ عَنْ هَٰذَا ۚ وَاسْتَغْفِرِي لِذَنبِكِ ۖ إِنَّكِ كُنتِ مِنَ الْخَاطِئِينَ .﴾

“And the woman in whose house he was living sought to seduce Yusuf. She closed the doors and said, ‘Come, you!’ He said, ‘I seek refuge in Allah! My Lord has made my stay good. Indeed, wrongdoers will not succeed.’ And she certainly desired him, and he would have desired her if he had not seen the proof of his Lord. Thus We averted from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants. And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back. And they found her husband at the door. She said, ‘What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife except that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?’ Yusuf said, ‘It was she who sought to seduce me.’ And a witness from her family testified, ‘If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars. But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful.’ So when her husband saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, ‘Indeed, it is of your women’s plan. Indeed, your plan is great. Yusuf, ignore this. And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you were of the sinful.'”

Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) in front of the women of Egypt:

﴿وَقَالَ نِسْوَةٌ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ امْرَأَتُ الْعَزِيزِ تُرَاوِدُ فَتَاهَا عَن نَّفْسِهِ ۖ قَدْ شَغَفَهَا حُبًّا ۖ إِنَّا لَنَرَاهَا فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ. فَلَمَّا سَمِعَتْ بِمَكْرِهِنَّ أَرْسَلَتْ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَعْتَدَتْ لَهُنَّ مُتَّكَأً وَآتَتْ كُلَّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِّنْهُنَّ سِكِّينًا وَقَالَتِ اخْرُجْ عَلَيْهِنَّ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْنَهُ أَكْبَرْنَهُ وَقَطَّعْنَ أَيْدِيَهُنَّ وَقُلْنَ حَاشَ لِلَّهِ مَا هَٰذَا بَشَرًا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا مَلَكٌ كَرِيمٌ . قَالَتْ فَذَٰلِكُنَّ الَّذِي لُمْتُنَّنِي فِيهِ ۖ وَلَقَدْ رَاوَدتُّهُ عَن نَّفْسِهِ فَاسْتَعْصَمَ ۖ وَلَئِن لَّمْ يَفْعَلْ مَا آمُرُهُ لَيُسْجَنَنَّ وَلَيَكُونًا مِّنَ الصَّاغِرِينَ ‎. قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ ۖ وَإِلَّا تَصْرِفْ عَنِّي كَيْدَهُنَّ أَصْبُ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ ‎. فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ فَصَرَفَ عَنْهُ كَيْدَهُنَّ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ.﴾

“And it was said among the women of the city that the wife of Aziz was trying to seduce her young servant to satisfy her desires. She had fallen in love with Yusuf. In our opinion, she is clearly mistaken. When he heard about their deceitful gossip, he sent for them and arranged a gathering for them, giving each one a knife. He said: O Yusuf! Come before them. When the women saw him, they were greatly astonished and cut their hands, and it slipped from their tongues: Mashallah! This is certainly not a human being; this must be a very noble angel. At that time, the wife of Aziz said: This is the one you were mocking me about. Although I tried to satisfy my desires with him, he narrowly escaped, and whatever I told him, if he did not comply, he would surely be imprisoned and disgraced. Yusuf prayed: O my Lord! The matter to which these women are inviting me, prison is far better for me. If You do not turn away their deceit from me, I might incline towards them and become one of the ignorant. His Lord accepted his prayer and turned away their scheming from him. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.”

In the Hadith it is mentioned:

«عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: سبعة يظلهم الله فى ظله يوم لا ظل إلا ظله… ورجل طلبته امرأة ذات منصب وجمال فقال: إني اخاف الله»

“Allah will grant shade on the Day of Resurrection to seven persons. Among them is the person who is invited by a woman of beauty and position to commit sin, but he says in reply: I fear Allah.”

12. Our Master Ayyub (peace be upon him)

It is necessary to know about Sayyiduna Ayyub (peace be upon him) that he was very wealthy, and his region was Hauran Thaniyah. His patience, gratitude, and the favors of Allah upon him have been mentioned repeatedly in the Quran, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

«إن أيوب نبي الله لبث فى بلائه ثمان عشرة سنة فرفضه القريب والبعيد الا رجلين… وكان يخرج إلى حاجته، فإذا قضى حاجته، أمسكت امرأته بيده ، فلما كان ذات يوم أبطأ عليها ، فأوحى الله إلى أيوب فى مكانه أركض برجلك هذا مغتسل بارد شراب “ص الآية: 42 فاستبطأته فبلغته ، فاقبل عليها قد اذهب الله ما به البلاء فهو أحسن ما كان ، فلما رأته قالت اى بارك الله فيك! هل رأيت نبي الله – هذا المبتلى -؟ والله – على ذلك ما رأيت أحدا كان أشبه به منك إذا كان صحيحا ! قال فإني أنا هو، وكان له اندران: أندر القمح واندر السعير ، فبعث الله سحابتين، فلما كانت إحداهما على اندر القمح ، أفرغت فيه الذهب حتى فاضت ، وأفرغت الأخرى على اندر السعير الورق حتى فاضت»

“The Prophet of Allah, Ayyub, remained ill for eighteen years until almost all his close relatives abandoned him, except for two men… When he would go out to relieve himself, his wife would support him by holding his hand until he returned. One day, she was late, so Allah revealed: ﴿ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ﴾

‘Strike your foot on the ground; this is cool water to wash and drink.’ When his wife arrived late, she looked and saw Ayyub (peace be upon him) approaching her, completely cured by Allah, and now in a very beautiful state. His wife, seeing him, said, ‘Have you seen the Prophet of Allah who was here in a state of illness? By Allah, when he was healthy, he resembled you the most.’ Ayyub (peace be upon him) replied, ‘That is I.’ Ayyub (peace be upon him) had two threshing floors (places where grain is separated by a thresher, winnowing machine, or other methods and piled up), one for wheat and the other for barley. Allah sent two clouds. One cloud came over the wheat threshing floor and rained gold until it was filled to the brim. Then the other cloud rained silver over the barley field until it was also filled with silver.”
You have observed how much Allah rewarded him after the trial. Now we will mention some verses of the Quran about him.

The Respect of Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) for Allah, and the Shower of Allah’s Mercy:

﴿وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ . فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِن ضُرٍّ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَابِدِينَ.﴾

“Remember the case of Ayyub when he called upon his Lord, saying, ‘Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.’ And We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him back his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers.”

At another place it is said:

﴿وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ .‏ ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ. وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ ‎. وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَاضْرِب بِّهِ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ .﴾

“And mention Our servant Ayyub, when he called to his Lord, ‘Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment.’ (Allah said) Strike with your foot; this is a cool bath and drink. And We gave him back his family and the like thereof with them, as mercy from Us and a reminder for the wise. And take in your hand a bunch of grass and strike, and do not break your oath. Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].”

13. Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him)

Regarding Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«لا يقولن أحدكم إني خير من يونس بن متى»

“It is not appropriate for any servant to say, ‘I am better than Yunus bin Mati.’”
Allah Almighty sent him as a prophet to the city of Nineveh in the land of Mosul.

The supplication of Yunus (peace be upon him):

﴿وَذَا النُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ ‎. فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُنجِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.﴾

“Remember the man of the fish (Prophet Yunus, peace be upon him), when he ran away in anger and thought that We would not punish him. Then he cried out in the darkness, ‘There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.’ So We responded to him and saved him from distress. And thus do We save the believers.”
Allah Almighty accepted the prayer of Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) and saved him from the darkness and the belly of the fish, and He said that whoever calls upon Us in hardship and distress, We will save him. It is also mentioned in a hadith, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

«دعوة ذي النون إذ دعا وهو فى بطن الحوت لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظلمين فإنه لم يدع بها رجل مسلم فى شيء قط إلا استجاب الله له»

Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it authentic.
“Whoever among the Muslims supplicates with this prayer for any matter, Allah will accept it.”

The salvation of Yunus (peace be upon him) from the belly of the fish:

At one place it is stated:

﴿وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ ‎.‏ إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى الْفُلْكِ الْمَشْحُونِ ‎. فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُدْحَضِينَ ‎.‏ فَالْتَقَمَهُ الْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ ‎. فَلَوْلَا أَنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُسَبِّحِينَ ‎.‏ لَلَبِثَ فِي بَطْنِهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ . فَنَبَذْنَاهُ بِالْعَرَاءِ وَهُوَ سَقِيمٌ ‎. وَأَنبَتْنَا عَلَيْهِ شَجَرَةً مِّن يَقْطِينٍ ‎. وَأَرْسَلْنَاهُ إِلَىٰ مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ .‏ فَآمَنُوا فَمَتَّعْنَاهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ.﴾

“And indeed, Yunus was among the messengers. When he ran away to the laden ship, then they cast lots, and he was among the losers. Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy. And had he not been of those who exalt Allah, He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected. But We threw him onto the open shore while he was ill. And We caused to grow over him a gourd vine. And We sent him to a hundred thousand or more people. Then they believed, so We gave them enjoyment for a time.”

The favor of the Lord upon Yunus (peace be upon him) and his being chosen:

﴿فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ الْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ . لَّوْلَا أَن تَدَارَكَهُ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ لَنُبِذَ بِالْعَرَاءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ . فَاجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَجَعَلَهُ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ.﴾

“So be patient for the command of your Lord and do not be like the one who was swallowed by the fish, while he was in distress. If he had not been favored by his Lord, he would have certainly been cast into the barren land in a bad state. Then his Lord chose him and made him among the righteous.”

﴿فَلَوْلَا كَانَتْ قَرْيَةٌ آمَنَتْ فَنَفَعَهَا إِيمَانُهَا إِلَّا قَوْمَ يُونُسَ لَمَّا آمَنُوا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَتَّعْنَاهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ.﴾

“So no community believed except the people of Jonah. When they believed, We postponed for them the punishment of disgrace in worldly life and gave them respite for a time.”

14 and 15. Prophet Musa and Prophet Harun (peace be upon them)

These two were also among the great and mighty Prophets of Allah Almighty. The mention of Sayyiduna Musa (Moses) عليه السلام appears frequently in the Quran, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

«الناس يصعقون يوم القيامة فاكون أول من يفيق، فإذا أنا بموسى اخذ بقائمة من قوائم العرش فلا ادرى أفاق قبلى أم جوزي بصعقة الطور»

“On the Day of Resurrection, all people will lose consciousness, then I will be the first to regain consciousness, and I will see that Musa is holding onto one of the legs of the Throne. Now I do not know whether he regained consciousness before me or (was not made unconscious at all but) was compensated for the unconsciousness of Mount Tur.”
In the same chapter, Hadith No: 3394, it is mentioned that “On the night of Mi’raj, I saw Musa عليه السلام; he was a thin man with straight hair, and it seemed as if he belonged to the tribe of Shanuwah.”

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that:

«استب رجل من المسلمين ورجل من اليهود فقال المسلم: والذي اصطفى محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم على العالمين. فى قسم يقسم به. فقال اليهودي: والذي اصطفى موسى على العالمين، فرفع المسلم عند ذلك يده فلطم اليهودي، فذهب اليهودي إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم فأخبره بالذي كان من أمره وأمر المسلم، فقال لا تخيروني على موسى فإن الناس يصعقون …. الخ»

“A Muslim man had a quarrel with a Jew. The Muslim said, ‘By the One Who made Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم the chosen one throughout the world,’ swearing thus. The Jew said, ‘By the One Who made Musa عليه السلام the chosen one throughout the world.’ Then the Muslim raised his hand and slapped the Jew. That Jew came to the Noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and informed him about the quarrel between him and the Muslim. At that moment, the Prophet said, ‘Do not prefer me over Musa.’ People will be unconscious on the Day of Resurrection… etc.”
Now, please observe a few verses from the Quran regarding Musa عليه السلام and Harun عليه السلام.

Prophethood granted to Musa and Harun (peace be upon them):

﴿وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مُوسَىٰ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مُخْلَصًا وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا. وَنَادَيْنَاهُ مِن جَانِبِ الطُّورِ الْأَيْمَنِ وَقَرَّبْنَاهُ نَجِيًّا.‏ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ مِن رَّحْمَتِنَا أَخَاهُ هَارُونَ نَبِيًّا ‎. وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا.﴾

“Also mention in this Quran Musa, who was a chosen messenger and prophet. We called him from the right side of Mount Sinai and brought him near in secret conversation, and by Our special mercy, We granted prophethood to his brother.”

Speaking with the Lord on Mount Sinai and receiving miracles:

﴿فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ مُوسَى الْأَجَلَ وَسَارَ بِأَهْلِهِ آنَسَ مِن جَانِبِ الطُّورِ نَارًا قَالَ لِأَهْلِهِ امْكُثُوا إِنِّي آنَسْتُ نَارًا لَّعَلِّي آتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِخَبَرٍ أَوْ جَذْوَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَصْطَلُونَ .‏ فَلَمَّا أَتَاهَا نُودِيَ مِن شَاطِئِ الْوَادِ الْأَيْمَنِ فِي الْبُقْعَةِ الْمُبَارَكَةِ مِنَ الشَّجَرَةِ أَن يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي أَنَا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ .‏ وَأَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَ ۖ فَلَمَّا رَآهَا تَهْتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَانٌّ وَلَّىٰ مُدْبِرًا وَلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ ۚ يَا مُوسَىٰ أَقْبِلْ وَلَا تَخَفْ ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الْآمِنِينَ .‏ اسْلُكْ يَدَكَ فِي جَيْبِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَاءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُوءٍ وَاضْمُمْ إِلَيْكَ جَنَاحَكَ مِنَ الرَّهْبِ ۖ فَذَانِكَ بُرْهَانَانِ مِن رَّبِّكَ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَئِهِ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمًا فَاسِقِينَ.﴾

“When Prophet Musa completed the term and set out with his family, he saw a fire towards Mount Tur. He said to his wife: Wait! I have seen a fire; perhaps I will bring some news from there or a burning ember so that you may warm yourself. So when he reached there, a voice came from the tree on the right edge of that blessed land’s field, saying: O Musa! Indeed, I am Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and (another voice said) throw down your staff. Then when he saw it spreading like a snake, he turned his back and did not look back. We said: O Musa! Come, do not fear; indeed, you are among the secure. Put your hand into your garment; it will come out shining without any disease, completely white. And to avoid fear, he moved his arm towards himself. So these two miracles are for you from your Lord, against Pharaoh and his people. Indeed, they are all disobedient and rebellious people.”

Number of Miracles of Musa (peace be upon him):

﴿وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ تِسْعَ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ ۖ فَاسْأَلْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ فِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَا مُوسَىٰ مَسْحُورًا .‏ قَالَ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا أَنزَلَ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِلَّا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ بَصَائِرَ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَا فِرْعَوْنُ مَثْبُورًا.﴾

“We gave Musa nine clear miracles, so ask the Children of Israel when he came to them, and Pharaoh said, ‘O Musa! I think you have been bewitched.’ Musa replied, ‘You already know that the Lord of the heavens and the earth has sent down these nine miracles to show and explain. O Pharaoh! I consider you doomed.'”

The Belief of the Magicians and Pharaoh’s Revenge:

﴿فَأُلْقِيَ السَّحَرَةُ سُجَّدًا قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ هَارُونَ وَمُوسَىٰ ‎.‏ قَالَ آمَنتُمْ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ آذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَكَبِيرُكُمُ الَّذِي عَلَّمَكُمُ السِّحْرَ ۖ فَلَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلَافٍ وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ فِي جُذُوعِ النَّخْلِ وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ أَيُّنَا أَشَدُّ عَذَابًا وَأَبْقَىٰ .‏ قَالُوا لَن نُّؤْثِرَكَ عَلَىٰ مَا جَاءَنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالَّذِي فَطَرَنَا ۖ فَاقْضِ مَا أَنتَ قَاضٍ ۖ إِنَّمَا تَقْضِي هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا .‏ إِنَّا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّنَا لِيَغْفِرَ لَنَا خَطَايَانَا وَمَا أَكْرَهْتَنَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ السِّحْرِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ ‎.‏ إِنَّهُ مَن يَأْتِ رَبَّهُ مُجْرِمًا فَإِنَّ لَهُ جَهَنَّمَ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحْيَىٰ . وَمَن يَأْتِهِ مُؤْمِنًا قَدْ عَمِلَ الصَّالِحَاتِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الدَّرَجَاتُ الْعُلَىٰ . جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ.﴾

“Now all the magicians fell down in prostration and cried out that we have believed in the Lord of Aaron and Moses. Pharaoh said, ‘Did you believe in Him before I gave you permission? Surely, this is your great one who taught you magic. Listen! I will cut off your hands and feet from opposite sides (i.e., right hand and left foot or vice versa) and hang you all on the trunks of palm trees, and you will know for certain whose punishment is more severe and lasting among us.’ They replied, ‘It is impossible for us to prefer you over these clear signs and over the One who created us. Now do whatever you are going to do; whatever command you issue is only for this worldly life. We have believed in our Lord in the hope that He will forgive our sins. And what you have forced us to do is magic. Allah is the best and everlasting.’ The matter is that whoever goes to Allah as a sinner, for him is Hell, where there is neither death nor life; and whoever goes to Him as a believer and has done righteous deeds, for him are high ranks, eternal gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide forever. This is the reward for every person who purifies himself.”

The Enlightenment of Moses and Aaron (peace be upon them) through Revelation:

﴿وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ الْفُرْقَانَ وَضِيَاءً وَذِكْرًا لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ . الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَيْبِ وَهُم مِّنَ السَّاعَةِ مُشْفِقُونَ ‎.‏ وَهَٰذَا ذِكْرٌ مُّبَارَكٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ ۚ أَفَأَنتُمْ لَهُ مُنكِرُونَ.﴾

“It is indeed true that We gave Moses and Aaron a luminous book that decides matters and contains admonition for the righteous. Those people fear their Lord unseen and are apprehensive of the Hereafter. And We have also revealed this admonishing and blessed Qur’an; do you deny it?”

The Treatment of Moses’ People with His Book after Him:

﴿وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ إِذْ قَالُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِّن شَيْءٍ ۗ قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَىٰ نُورًا وَهُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ ۖ تَجْعَلُونَهُ قَرَاطِيسَ تُبْدُونَهَا وَتُخْفُونَ كَثِيرًا ۖ وَعُلِّمْتُم مَّا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنتُمْ وَلَا آبَاؤُكُمْ ۖ قُلِ اللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ ذَرْهُمْ فِي خَوْضِهِمْ يَلْعَبُونَ . وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُّصَدِّقُ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ۚ وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ ۖ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ.﴾

“And they did not appreciate Allah with the appreciation due to Him when they said, ‘Allah has not revealed anything to any human.’ Say, ‘Then who revealed the Book that Moses brought, a light and guidance for the people?’ But you have put it aside, showing some of it and concealing much. And you were taught that which you knew not, neither you nor your forefathers. Say, ‘Allah has revealed it.’ Then leave them in their idle discourse, playing about. And this is a Book which We have revealed, blessed, confirming what was before it, that you may warn the people of Mecca and those around it. And those who believe in the Hereafter believe in it, and they maintain their prayers.”

Introduction to the Torah:

﴿ثُمَّ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ تَمَامًا عَلَى الَّذِي أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَّعَلَّهُم بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ ‎.‏ وَهَٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ.﴾

“Then We gave Moses the Book, complete for those who do good, an explanation of all things, a guidance, and a mercy, so that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord. And this is a Book We have sent down, blessed and confirming what was before it, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.”

Moses and Aaron (peace be upon them) in the court of Pharaoh for preaching:

﴿وَاصْطَنَعْتُكَ لِنَفْسِي . اذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَأَخُوكَ بِآيَاتِي وَلَا تَنِيَا فِي ذِكْرِي ‎.‏ اذْهَبَا إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ طَغَىٰ . فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ ‎. قَالَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَا أَوْ أَن يَطْغَىٰ ‎.‏ قَالَ لَا تَخَافَا ۖ إِنَّنِي مَعَكُمَا أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ ‎. فَأْتِيَاهُ فَقُولَا إِنَّا رَسُولَا رَبِّكَ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَلَا تُعَذِّبْهُمْ ۖ قَدْ جِئْنَاكَ بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَىٰ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ الْهُدَىٰ ‎.‏ إِنَّا قَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْنَا أَنَّ الْعَذَابَ عَلَىٰ مَن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ ‎. قَالَ فَمَن رَّبُّكُمَا يَا مُوسَىٰ ‎. قَالَ رَبُّنَا الَّذِي أَعْطَىٰ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلْقَهُ ثُمَّ هَدَىٰ . قَالَ فَمَا بَالُ الْقُرُونِ الْأُولَىٰ . قَالَ عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّي فِي كِتَابٍ ۖ لَّا يَضِلُّ رَبِّي وَلَا يَنسَى.﴾

“And I have chosen you specially for Myself, so go, you and your brother, with My signs, and do not slacken in My remembrance. Both of you go to Pharaoh; indeed, he has transgressed. Speak to him gently, perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah].” They said, “Our Lord, indeed we fear that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress.” He said, “Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see. So go to him and say, ‘Indeed, we are the messengers of your Lord, so send with us the Children of Israel and do not torment them. We have come to you with a sign from your Lord. And peace will be upon he who follows the guidance. Indeed, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be upon whoever denies and turns away.'” Pharaoh said, “Who is your Lord, O Moses?” They said, “Our Lord is He who gave each thing its form and then guided [it].” He said, “Then what is the case of the former generations?” They said, “The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets.”

16. Our Master Elias (peace be upon him)

Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) says that Allah Almighty sent Elias (peace be upon him) towards Baalbek, a western city of Damascus. Baal was the name of an idol which they used to worship, as is clear from the following verse. This city is located in the northern districts of present-day Jordan. Elias (peace be upon him) is mentioned in the Quran only in two places: one is this mentioned location, and the other is in Surah Al-An’am, verse 85.

The Call of Elias (peace be upon him):

﴿وَإِنَّ إِلْيَاسَ لَمِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ ‎.‏ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ. أَتَدْعُونَ بَعْلًا وَتَذَرُونَ أَحْسَنَ الْخَالِقِينَ ‎.‏ اللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ وَرَبَّ آبَائِكُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَ . فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُونَ ‎.‏ إِلَّا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ الْمُخْلَصِينَ . وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِي الْآخِرِينَ .‏ سَلَامٌ عَلَىٰ إِلْ يَاسِينَ ‎.‏ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ ‎.‏ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.﴾

“Indeed, Elias was among the messengers when he said to his people, ‘Do you not fear Allah? Do you call upon Baal and leave the best Creator, Allah, who is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?’ But the people denied him. So surely they will all be gathered. We have kept the mention of Elias in the former scriptures as well. Peace be upon Elias. We reward the doers of good in this way. Indeed, he was one of Our believing servants.”

17. Our Master Dawud (David) عليه السلام

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«أحب الصلاة إلى الله صلاة داود عليه السلام، واحب الصيام إلى الله صيام داود»

“The most beloved prayer to Allah is the prayer of Dawud (peace be upon him), and the most beloved fasting is also the fasting of Dawud (peace be upon him).”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said about him:

﴿خُفَّ عَلَى دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ الْقُرْآنُ فَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ بِدَوَا بِهِ فَتُسْرَجُ فَيَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُسْرَجَ دَوَابُّهُ، وَلَا يَأْكُلُ إِلَّا مِنْ عَمَلِ يَدِهِ﴾

“The recitation of the Qur’an (i.e., Zabur) was made very easy for Dawud (peace be upon him), so much so that he would command his mount to be saddled and before the saddle was fully fastened, he would finish reciting the entire Zabur. And he (peace be upon him) used to eat only from the earnings of his own hands.”
These were some sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding Dawud (peace be upon him), while the Qur’an also describes his worship, asceticism, and devotion to Allah. Please see below.

The Granting of Prophethood and the Killing of Jalut:

﴿فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُودُ جَالُوتَ وَآتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُ مِمَّا يَشَاءُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الْأَرْضُ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ.﴾

“So by Allah’s command, they defeated the people of Jalut, and Dawud killed Jalut, and Allah granted Dawud the kingdom and wisdom, and whatever knowledge He willed. If Allah did not remove some (evil) people by means of others (righteous people), the earth would be corrupted, but Allah is full of bounty to the worlds.”

For them, the softening of iron by Allah:

﴿وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا ۖ يَا جِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُ وَالطَّيْرَ ۖ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ.‏ أَنِ اعْمَلْ سَابِغَاتٍ وَقَدِّرْ فِي السَّرْدِ ۖ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا ۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ.﴾

“And We bestowed favor upon Dawud from Us: ‘O mountains! Repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds as well.’ And We made iron soft for him, saying, ‘Make full coats of mail and measure well the links, and do righteous deeds. Indeed, I am Seeing of what you do.'”
Allama Shawkani writes in his Tafsir:
«او بيي» means to repeat glorification. That is, the mountains and birds were commanded, so they also engaged in glorification with Dawud, and We made the birds subservient to him.

Allah Almighty made the birds and mountains submissive:

﴿اصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُودَ ذَا الْأَيْدِ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ.‏ إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا الْجِبَالَ مَعَهُ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِشْرَاقِ. وَالطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةً ۖ كُلٌّ لَّهُ أَوَّابٌ. وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ.﴾

“Be patient over what they say, and remember Our servant David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah]. And We subjected the mountains to [praise] with him at evening and morning, and the birds were assembled, all with him, repeating [praise]. And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.”

18. Sayyiduna Sulaiman (peace be upon him)

Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) was bestowed not only with prophethood but also with kingship. His dominion was over humans, birds, animals, and jinn. He is also the architect of the Holy Sanctuary (Bayt al-Maqdis).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«لما فرغ سليمان بن داؤد عليهما السلام من بناء بيت المقدس سأل الله ثلاثا: حكما يصادف حكمه، وملكا لا ينبغي لاحد من بعده، وألا يأتى هذا المسجد احد. لا يريد إلا الصلاة فيه – إلا خرج من ذنوبه كيوم ولدته أمه ، فقال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: أما اثنتان فقد أعطيهما . وارجوا آن يكون قد أعطي الثالثة»

Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it authentic.
“When Solomon son of David (peace be upon them) completed the construction of Bayt al-Maqdis, he asked Allah for three things: (1) O Allah, make my judgment conform to Your judgment, (2) grant me such a kingdom that no one after me is worthy of it (meaning no one after me should have such a kingdom). Both of these prayers were accepted. And the third prayer he made was that if any person comes to this mosque I have built solely for the purpose of prayer, then forgive all his sins and make him as if he has just been born (the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said) I hope that Allah has also granted him this.”
Now, let us observe a glimpse of his biography and circumstances in the light of the Quranic verses.

Understanding the Languages of Birds and Animals:

﴿وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانُ دَاوُودَ ۖ وَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عُلِّمْنَا مَنطِقَ الطَّيْرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ ۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْمُبِينُ . وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ جُنُودُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ وَالطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ. حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَتَوْا عَلَىٰ وَادِ النَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّمْلُ ادْخُلُوا مَسَاكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَانُ وَجُنُودُهُ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ ‎. فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّن قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ.﴾

“And David’s heir was Solomon, and he said: O people! We have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given everything. (Whatever a kingdom needs) Indeed, this is a clear divine favor.” Before Solomon, all his armies of jinn, humans, and birds were gathered, each type standing separately. When they reached the field of the ants, one ant said: O ants! Enter your homes, lest Solomon and his army unknowingly crush you. Upon hearing this, Sayyiduna Solomon smiled and prayed: O Lord! Grant me the ability to be grateful for the blessings You have bestowed upon me and my parents, and to continue performing righteous deeds that please You. Include me among Your righteous servants by Your mercy.”

Spy Bird’s Information:

﴿وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِيَ لَا أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَائِبِينَ.‏ لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَذْبَحَنَّهُ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّي بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ. فَمَكَثَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ فَقَالَ أَحَطتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ وَجِئْتُكَ مِن سَبَإٍ بِنَبَإٍ يَقِينٍ.إِنِّي وَجَدتُّ امْرَأَةً تَمْلِكُهُمْ وَأُوتِيَتْ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ. وَجَدتُّهَا وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ ‎.‏ أَلَّا يَسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ الَّذِي يُخْرِجُ الْخَبْءَ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ. اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ . قَالَ سَنَنظُرُ أَصَدَقْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ.﴾

“You took care of the birds and said, ‘What is this talk that I do not see the hoopoe? Is he truly absent? Surely I will punish him severely, or I will slaughter him.’ Or let him present a reasonable excuse before me.” Not long after, he came and said: “I have brought you news that you did not know. I have brought you true news from Sheba. I saw that their kingdom is ruled by a woman to whom everything has been given in abundance, and her throne is magnificent. I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah. Satan has made their deeds seem good to them and has kept them away from the right path. So they do not come to guidance, to worship Allah alone, who brings forth the hidden things of the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. There is no deity worthy of worship except Him, the Lord of the Great Throne.” Solomon said: “Now we will see whether you have spoken the truth or whether you are one of the liars.”

Submission of Winds and Jinn:

﴿وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ عَاصِفَةً تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَا ۚ وَكُنَّا بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَالِمِينَ.وَمِنَ الشَّيَاطِينِ مَن يَغُوصُونَ لَهُ وَيَعْمَلُونَ عَمَلًا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَكُنَّا لَهُمْ حَافِظِينَ .﴾

“We made the fierce winds subservient to Solomon, which ran by his command toward the land We had blessed, and We are fully aware and wise. Likewise, many devils We had made subservient to him who dived at his command, and besides that, they did many other tasks; We were their guardians.”

The Death of Solomon (peace be upon him) and the Helplessness of the Jinn:

﴿‏ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ الْمَوْتَ مَا دَلَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَوْتِهِ إِلَّا دَابَّةُ الْأَرْضِ تَأْكُلُ مِنسَأَتَهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ الْجِنُّ أَن لَّوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ الْغَيْبَ مَا لَبِثُوا فِي الْعَذَابِ الْمُهِينِ.﴾

“Then when We decreed death for him, none of the jinn knew except the termite that was eating away his staff. So when Solomon fell down, the jinn realized that if they had knowledge of the unseen, they would not have remained in such a humiliating torment.”

Rewards After the Trial:

﴿وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلَىٰ كُرْسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ.‏ قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ ‎. فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ الرِّيحَ تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ رُخَاءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَ .‏ وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ ‎.‏ وَآخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ.‏ هَٰذَا عَطَاؤُنَا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ ‎.‏ وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ.﴾

“And We tested Solomon and placed a body on his throne. Then he turned back and said, ‘O my Lord! Forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me.’ And indeed, You are the Bestower. So We subjected the wind to him, blowing by his command wherever he directed. And the devils, every builder and diver, and others bound in chains. This is Our gift; so grant or withhold without account. Indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.”

19 and 20. Our Master Zakariya and Yahya (peace be upon them)

These two prophets are father and son. Allah, the Exalted, granted Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) offspring in his old age, and Allah Himself named him. Besides, many of their virtues are mentioned in the Quran. Various honors are also described in the Prophetic traditions, which it is better to mention briefly.

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

«كان زكرياء نجارا»

“Zakariya (peace be upon him) was a carpenter.”

In another hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him):

«إِنَّ مِنْ أَطْيبَ مَا أَكَلَ الرَّجُلُ: مِنْ كَسْبِهِ»

“The purest food for a person is that which he earns with his own hands.”

Where the Quran calls Yahya (peace be upon him) a leader and chaste, the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned him as follows:

«الحسن والحسين سيد الشباب أهل الجنة إلا ابنى الخالة عيسى ابن مريم ويحى بن زكريا»

“Hasan and Husayn will be the leaders of the youth of Paradise except for two cousins, Jesus son of Mary and Yahya son of Zakariya (peace be upon them).”

Now, in the light of the Quran, observe some virtues and merits of these two great father and son and the honors bestowed upon them by Allah.

Supplication of Zakariya and the Birth of Yahya (peace be upon them) and the Granting of Prophethood:

﴿كهيعص . ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُ زَكَرِيَّا . إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ نِدَاءً خَفِيًّا .‏ قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا .وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِن وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا.‏ يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا .‏ يَا زَكَرِيَّا إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَامٍ اسْمُهُ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا.‏ قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ الْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّا ‎.قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا.‏ قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَل لِّي آيَةً ۚ قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَ لَيَالٍ سَوِيًّا . فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ مِنَ الْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا. يَا يَحْيَىٰ خُذِ الْكِتَابَ بِقُوَّةٍ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا ‎. وَحَنَانًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَاةً ۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيًّا . وَبَرًّا بِوَالِدَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُن جَبَّارًا عَصِيًّا . وَسَلَامٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا.﴾

“Kha’is. This is a mention of the mercy of your Lord bestowed upon His servant Zakariya, when he called to his Lord a private supplication. He said, ‘O my Lord! Indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white hair, but never have I been disappointed in my supplication to You. And indeed, I fear my relatives after me, and my wife is barren. So grant me from Yourself an heir who will inherit me and inherit from the family of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, pleasing [to You].’ [Allah] said, ‘O Zakariya, indeed We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be Yahya. We have not assigned that name to anyone before.’ He said, ‘My Lord, how will I have a boy when my wife is barren and I have reached extreme old age?’ [The angel] said, ‘Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, “It is easy for Me, for I created you before when you were nothing.”‘ He said, ‘My Lord, appoint for me a sign.’ He said, ‘Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three nights, being sound.’ Then Zakariya came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them to exalt Allah morning and evening. ‘O Yahya! Hold firmly to the Scripture.’ And We gave him wisdom while yet a child. And affection from Us and purity, and he was fearing of Allah. And dutiful to his parents, and he was not a disobedient tyrant. And peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he is raised alive.”

Allama Shawkani writes:
«عاقر» This woman is also called one who has lost the ability to bear children due to old age, and also one who is barren from the beginning. “Here it is in the second meaning. The wood that dries up is called ‘Atiya,’ meaning the last stage of old age in which the bones become stiff. The meaning is that my wife has been barren since youth, and I have reached the extreme last stage of old age. How is offspring possible now? It is said that the name of Sayyiduna Zakariya’s wife was Ashaa, but the more correct opinion seems to be that Ashaa was also the daughter of Imran, who was the father of Sayyida Maryam, thus Sayyiduna Yahya and Sayyiduna Isa are maternal cousins. This is also supported by authentic hadith.”

Signs of the Birth of Yahya (peace be upon him):

﴿فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٍ وَأَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّا ۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَا مَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ. هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ . فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ‎.‏ قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِيَ الْكِبَرُ وَامْرَأَتِي عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ اللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ ‎.‏ قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَل لِّي آيَةً ۖ قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلَّا رَمْزًا ۗ وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ كَثِيرًا وَسَبِّحْ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِبْكَارِ.﴾

“So her Lord accepted her graciously and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zakariya. Whenever Zakariya entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said, ‘O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?’ She said, ‘It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.’ At that time Zakariya called upon his Lord, saying, ‘My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.’ Then the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, saying, ‘Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of Yahya, confirming a word from Allah and [who will be] honorable, abstaining [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous.’ He said, ‘My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?’ 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.”‘ He said, ‘My Lord, make for me a sign.’ He said, ‘Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three days except by gesture. And remember your Lord much and exalt [Him] morning and evening.'”
The prayer of Sayyiduna Zakariya (peace be upon him) to his Lord is mentioned in the Quran as follows:

﴿وَزَكَرِيَّا إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِي فَرْدًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الْوَارِثِينَ ‎.‏ فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ يَحْيَىٰ وَأَصْلَحْنَا لَهُ زَوْجَهُ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا ۖ وَكَانُوا لَنَا خَاشِعِينَ.﴾

“And [mention] Zakariya, when he called to his Lord, ‘My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while You are the best of inheritors.’ So We responded to him and gave him Yahya and cured his wife for him. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.”
In one place, Sayyiduna Zakariya, Sayyiduna Yahya (peace be upon them), Sayyiduna Isa, and Sayyiduna Ilyas (peace be upon them) are mentioned:

﴿وَزَكَرِيَّا وَيَحْيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلْيَاسَ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ﴾

“And Zakariya and Yahya and Ilyas – and all were of the righteous.”

21. Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him)

Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is among the great and revered prophets of Allah. Allah Almighty revealed His book, the Injil, to him, and he is still alive in the heavens. Near the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty will send him down again, and he will come and kill the Dajjal, and after living for forty years, he will depart from this worldly life and move to the highest companionship, meaning he will pass away. Now let us read some verses from the Holy Quran about him.

Prophethood, Invitation, and Miracles:

﴿وَإِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَاصْطَفَاكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ .‏ يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ . ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ أَنبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ ۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَامَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ يَكْفُلُ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَ ‎.‏ إِذْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَا مَرْيَمُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنْهُ اسْمُهُ الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَجِيهًا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ. وَيُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فِي الْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًا وَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ‎.‏ قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ اللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ‎.‏ وَيُعَلِّمُهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنجِيلَ ‎. وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنِّي قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ أَنِّي أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ الطِّينِ كَهَيْئَةِ الطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ‎. وَمُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَكُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَجِئْتُكُم بِآيَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ ‎.‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ ۗ هَٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ.﴾

“And when the angels said: O Mary! Indeed, Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. O Mary! Obey your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow. This is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you. And you were not with them when they cast their pens as to which of them should be responsible for Mary, nor were you with them when they disputed. When the angels said, O Mary! Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah]. He will speak to the people in the cradle and in maturity and will be of the righteous. She said, My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me? He said, Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is. And He will teach him writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel. And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead – by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers. And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me. Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.'”

Warning for those who consider Jesus (peace be upon him) as God:

﴿ذَٰلِكَ نَتْلُوهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ الْآيَاتِ وَالذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيمِ .‏ إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ‎. الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ ‎. فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ. إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْقَصَصُ الْحَقُّ ۚ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ . فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُفْسِدِينَ.﴾

“These are the verses We recite to you, full of wisdom and good advice. Indeed, the example of Jesus with Allah is like that of Adam; He created him from dust and said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was. This is the truth from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters. Therefore, if anyone disputes with you after knowledge has come to you, say, ‘Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then let us earnestly pray and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars.’ Indeed, this is the true statement, and there is no god but Allah, and surely Allah is the Almighty, the Wise. But if they do not accept it, then Allah is fully aware of the corrupters.”

Jesus (peace be upon him) is not God but a Messenger and servant of Allah:

﴿يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا تَغْلُوا فِي دِينِكُمْ وَلَا تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ ۚ إِنَّمَا الْمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَىٰ مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ ۖ وَلَا تَقُولُوا ثَلَاثَةٌ ۚ انتَهُوا خَيْرًا لَّكُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ سُبْحَانَهُ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ ۘ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ وَكِيلًا ‎. لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ الْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًا ‎. فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ ۖ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْتَنكَفُوا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فَيُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا وَلَا يَجِدُونَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا.﴾

“O People of the Scripture! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not say anything about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, is only a messenger of Allah and His word (which He cast into Mary), and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and do not say ‘Allah is three’; desist, it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God, and He is free from having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, and Allah is sufficient as a disposer of affairs. It is not a disgrace for the Messiah to be a servant of Allah, nor for the close angels to be His servants. Whoever disdains His servitude and is arrogant, Allah will gather them all to Himself. So those who believe and do righteous deeds, He will give them their full reward and more out of His grace. But those who disdain and are arrogant, He will punish them with a painful punishment, and they will find no protector or helper besides Allah for themselves.”

Believing Jesus (peace be upon him) to be God is disbelief:

﴿لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۚ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا إِنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُهْلِكَ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ .﴾

“Indeed, those who say, ‘The Messiah, son of Mary, is Allah,’ have certainly disbelieved. Say, ‘Then who could prevent Allah at all if He had intended to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, and his mother and everyone on the earth?’ And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them. He creates what He wills, and Allah is over all things competent.”

Jesus (peace be upon him) and his mother eating food is a sign of their humanity:

﴿أَفَلَا يَتُوبُونَ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ .‏ مَّا الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ ۖ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ الطَّعَامَ ۗ انظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ الْآيَاتِ ثُمَّ انظُرْ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ.﴾

“Why do these people not humble themselves to Allah and ask for His forgiveness? Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. The Messiah, son of Mary, was nothing but a messenger. Many messengers have passed before him. His mother was truthful. Both mother and son used to eat food. See how We explain the verses to them in detail, then observe how they turn away.”

Jesus (peace be upon him) was supported by the Holy Spirit:

﴿تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ ۗ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا اقْتَتَلَ الَّذِينَ مِن بَعْدِهِم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ وَلَٰكِنِ اخْتَلَفُوا فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ آمَنَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن كَفَرَ ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا اقْتَتَلُوا وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يُرِيدُ.﴾

“These are the messengers, some of whom We have preferred over others; among them are those to whom Allah spoke, and some of them He raised in degree. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear signs and supported him with the Holy Spirit. And if Allah had willed, those who came after them would not have fought each other after clear signs had come to them, but they differed. Some of them believed, and some disbelieved. And if Allah had willed, they would not have fought each other, but Allah does what He wills.”

Jesus (peace be upon him) gives glad tidings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

﴿وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ ‎. وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ وَهُوَ يُدْعَىٰ إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ.‏ يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ.﴾

“And when Jesus, the son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah to you, confirming what was before me of the Torah, and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me whose name is Ahmad. But when he brought them clear proofs, they said: This is evident magic. And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah while he is being invited to Islam? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, even though the disbelievers dislike it.”