Islam According to Itself: The Story Begins

3. The Line of Prophets — A Continuation of the Message

Islam teaches that divine guidance did not arrive in a single moment, nor was it confined to one people or place. Instead, Allah sent a continuous line of prophets (anbiya) and messengers (rusul) throughout human history to every nation, each bearing the same essential call: to worship Allah alone and live righteously under His guidance.

The Qur’an states:

“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”
(Surah Al-Imran 3:19)

This verse encapsulates the Islamic claim that all true prophets—regardless of time, place, or language—brought the same divine religion: submission to Allah (i.e., Islam). The Qur’an affirms that Allah sent approximately 124,000 prophets so that no people would be left without guidance:

“And for every nation is a messenger.”
(Surah Yunus 10:47)

These prophets did not introduce competing religions; rather, they restored the same timeless truth after it had been lost or corrupted among their people. The diversity in laws (sharīʿah) across different communities was for their particular circumstances, but the core faith—Tawḥīd (absolute monotheism)—remained constant.

Key Prophets in Islam

1. Nūḥ (Noah)

One of the earliest messengers, Nūḥ is known for his unyielding patience and perseverance in calling his people to worship Allah alone. Despite centuries of effort, only a few believed, while the majority mocked and rejected him.

“We certainly sent Nūḥ to his people, saying, ‘Warn your people before a painful punishment comes to them.’”
(Surah Nūḥ 71:1)

As a result of their continued disbelief, Allah sent the Great Flood, saving only Nūḥ and the believers aboard the Ark. His story reflects the Islamic themes of prophetic endurance, divine justice, and the consequences of shirk (associating partners with Allah).

2. Ibrāhīm (Abraham)

Revered in Islam as Khalīl Allāh (the Friend of Allah), Ibrāhīm is the father of monotheism. He is celebrated for rejecting his society’s idolatry and submitting entirely to Allah’s commands—even when asked to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismāʿīl.

“When his Lord said to him, ‘Submit,’ he said, ‘I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds.’”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:131)

With Ismāʿīl, Ibrāhīm rebuilt the Kaʿbah in Makkah, establishing it as a sanctuary for monotheistic worship. His unwavering submission remains a central model for Muslims worldwide.

3. Mūsā (Moses)

The most frequently mentioned prophet in the Qur’an, Mūsā was chosen to lead the Children of Israel out of Pharaoh’s tyranny and was given the Tawrah (Torah) as guidance. His life was marked by miracles, leadership, and his direct communication with Allah.

“We certainly gave Mūsā the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel, [saying], ‘Do not take other than Me as disposer of affairs.’”
(Surah Al-Isrāʾ 17:2)

Mūsā’s confrontation with Pharaoh and steadfastness in adversity are often cited as examples of standing for truth against injustice. In Islamic thought, he embodies the virtues of strength, justice, and obedience to divine law.

4. ʿĪsā (Jesus)

In Islam, ʿĪsā ibn Maryam is one of the greatest prophets, born miraculously to the Virgin Mary (Maryam) by Allah’s command. He performed many miracles, such as healing the blind and raising the dead—by Allah’s permission. However, Islam firmly denies his divinity or sonship, maintaining that he was a servant and messenger of Allah.

“The example of ʿĪsā in the sight of Allah is like that of Ādam. He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.”
(Surah Āl ʿImrān 3:59)

Islam teaches that ʿĪsā was not crucified, but rather raised up by Allah, and that he will return near the end of time to defeat the Dajjāl (false messiah) and restore justice. He is a symbol of truth, humility, and submission to Allah’s will.

All Prophets Are Muslims

Islam teaches that all prophets were Muslims—not in the ethnic or cultural sense, but in their complete submission to Allah. The Arabic word Muslim means “one who submits.” Thus, from Ādam to Muhammad ﷺ, every prophet was part of the same unbroken spiritual lineage.

“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”
(Surah Āl ʿImrān 3:19)

Though their languages and customs differed, their message did not: “Lā ilāha illā Allāh”—There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. Each prophet called his people away from idolatry (shirk) and toward pure monotheism.

Other Prophets Mentioned in the Qur’an

While the Qur’an names around 25 prophets, Islam teaches that many more were sent—some traditions place the number at 124,000. Below are some of the most notable:

  • Ādam – The first human and first prophet.

  • Idrīs – Known for wisdom; often identified with Enoch.

  • Nūḥ (Noah) – Warned his people of the flood.

  • Hūd – Sent to the people of ʿĀd.

  • Ṣāliḥ – Preached to the people of Thamūd.

  • Lūṭ (Lot) – Warned against immorality in his community.

  • Ibrāhīm (Abraham) – Patriarch of monotheism.

  • Ismāʿīl (Ishmael) – Helped build the Kaʿbah with his father.

  • Isḥāq (Isaac) – Continued the prophetic line.

  • Yaʿqūb (Jacob) – Father of the tribes of Israel.

  • Yūsuf (Joseph) – Known for his trials and dream interpretations.

  • Shuʿayb – Preached to the people of Madyan.

  • Ayyūb (Job) – A model of patience and endurance.

  • Dhū al-Kifl – Possibly Ezekiel; known for righteousness.

  • Mūsā (Moses) – Lawgiver and liberator.

  • Hārūn (Aaron) – Assistant and brother of Mūsā.

  • Dāwūd (David) – Prophet-king; received the Zabūr (Psalms).

  • Sulaymān (Solomon) – Known for wisdom and control over jinn.

  • Ilyās (Elijah) – Opposed idol worship.

  • Alyasaʿ (Elisha) – Successor of Ilyās.

  • Yūnus (Jonah) – Repented in the belly of the fish.

  • Zakariyyā (Zechariah) – Father of Yaḥyā.

  • Yaḥyā (John the Baptist) – Called people to righteousness.

  • ʿĪsā (Jesus) – Born miraculously; set to return.

  • Muḥammad ﷺ – The final prophet and Seal of Prophets.

“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid false gods.’”
(Surah An-Naḥl 16:36)

Prophets Unknown to Us

The Qur’an acknowledges that many prophets were not mentioned by name:

“And We have already sent messengers before you. Among them are those We have related to you, and among them are those We have not related to you.”
(Surah Ghāfir 40:78)

This teaches that Allah’s mercy extended to all peoples through messengers appropriate to their time, culture, and language. Islam views its final revelation as the completion and confirmation of all previous messages.

Conclusion: A Unified Legacy

The Islamic view of history is one of continuity, not novelty. From Ādam to Muḥammad ﷺ, every prophet was sent by the same God, with the same essential call to monotheism and righteous living. The differences in scripture and law reflect divine wisdom for different communities—not contradictions.

Thus, Islam sees itself not as a new religion, but as the final, perfected form of a message that has echoed through the corridors of human history since the dawn of time.

Note to Readers:

If you believe that the representation of Islam in this post does not accurately reflect its teachings or core beliefs, we invite you to share your perspective. Please reference specific Islamic sources—whether from the Qur’an, Hadith, or reputable scholarly commentary—to clarify where our understanding may differ. Our goal is to promote informed, respectful, and evidence-based discussion that seeks to uncover Islam’s self-claimed truth. Your input is valued.

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