Were Krishna, Buddha, and Zoroaster Prophets? Clarification from Qur’an and Hadith
Taken from: Fatawa Rashidiyyah, p. 240
❖ Question:
Were Krishna, Gautama Buddha, and Zoroaster (Zarathustra) Prophets?
❖ Answer:
It is not possible to state with certainty whether Krishna, Buddha, or Zoroaster were Prophets, because neither the Qur’an nor authentic Hadith provide any explicit mention of them.
General Principle from Qur’an
- Allah has declared that He sent a Prophet and warner to every nation and community.
- Some Prophets are mentioned by name in the Qur’an, while many are not.
- Therefore, we believe that Prophets were indeed sent to India and other lands as well.
But whether Krishna, Buddha, or Zoroaster were among those Prophets is something we have no clear evidence for.
Possible Explanation
- It is possible that they were Prophets, but later their followers corrupted their teachings with polytheism and falsehood, just as the Jews and Christians did with the Torah and Injil.
- It is also possible that they were merely philosophers or reformers, not Prophets.
- Since the Qur’an and Sunnah are silent, the best stance is to remain neutral and refrain from certainty.
Where Truth is Preserved
- Absolute truth is preserved only in the Qur’an, the final revelation.
- Earlier scriptures were altered, and thus one cannot seek authentic guidance in them anymore.
Related Figures
- Luqman (عليه السلام):
A wise and righteous man, not a Prophet. The Qur’an presents him as a sage, not a receiver of revelation. - Khidr (عليه السلام):
He was indeed a Prophet, proven by his words:
﴿وَمَا فَعَلْتُهُۥ عَنْ أَمْرِى﴾ (al-Kahf: 82)
“I did not do this of my own accord.”
Revelation comes only to Prophets. Moreover, Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) was sent to learn from him.
However, Khidr (عليه السلام) has passed away. If he had been alive during the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ lifetime, he would have been obliged to believe in and support him, as per the covenant in Surah Aal ‘Imran. History shows no such event; hence, he is no longer alive. - Isa (عليه السلام):
He is the only Prophet alive today, raised to the heavens, and will return before the Day of Judgment to slay the Dajjal.
Conclusion
- The identities of Krishna, Buddha, and Zoroaster as Prophets cannot be confirmed or denied with certainty.
- Their current teachings are corrupt and unreliable, regardless of their original status.
- The only preserved truth for mankind is in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
- As for the Prophets, only Isa (عليه السلام) remains alive; all others have passed away.
((ھذا ما عندی واللہ اعلم بالصواب))
