The prophets were not mythical figures or divine beings — they were real human beings chosen by Allah to deliver His message to humanity. In this episode with Sheikh Yusuf Estes, the discussion continues exploring the stories of the prophets, the distinction between prophets and messengers, and the powerful lessons we can draw from the life of Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him.
The Difference Between Prophets and Messengers
Islam teaches that Allah sent over 124,000 prophets throughout human history, all carrying the same core message: worship the One God alone. Among these prophets, a special category exists — the messengers (rusul) — who came with divine scripture. Musa (Moses) brought the Torah, Dawud (David) received the Psalms (Zabur), Isa (Jesus) delivered the Injeel (Gospel), and Muhammad (peace be upon him) was given the Quran, the final and preserved revelation for all of mankind.
“Some of the prophets came and told people to worship God, but they didn’t come with a particular scripture. But when they come with scripture, this is something more — this is a new set of commandments for the people.”
Lessons from the Story of Ibrahim (Abraham)
- Ibrahim looked at the sun, the moon, and the stars and declared that none of them could be his Lord — because they all set, change, and disappear
- He demonstrated for his people that nothing in creation deserves worship — only the Creator who made all of it
- Ibrahim then asked Allah to guide him, teaching us the most important lesson: we cannot find God on our own without His guidance
- His example shows that sincere seeking, combined with humility before Allah, is the path to true faith
“Ibrahim looked to the sun and said, ‘That can’t be my god.’ To the stars and the moon, he said, ‘That can’t be my god.’ Then he asked the One who created them all to guide him — and that is what we should all do.”
Ask Allah to Guide You
The story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is a timeless reminder that guidance comes from Allah alone. No matter how intelligent or accomplished a person may be, without sincerely asking the Creator for direction, they will remain lost. The prophets — from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all) — showed us the way, and it is up to each of us to follow their example by turning to Allah with humble hearts and open minds.
