Table of Contents
Ranks of Prophets Alayhim As-Salaam
Ranks are given to Prophets عليهم السلام some Prophets عليهم السلام possess a greater rank than others (12). Our Prophet, Sayyiduna Muhammad ﷺ is the leader of all the prophets عليهم السلام and has the highest rank among them. He is also the seal of all prophets عليهم السلام [i.e., chronologically, the last of all prophets عليهم السلام].
Allah ﷻ concluded the line of prophets عليهم السلام by sending our Master, the final Prophet ﷺ. There cannot be another prophet after the coming of our Master ﷺ. If a person believes even in the possibility of the coming of another prophet after our Master ﷺ, the person will become a kafir.
All Prophets عليهم السلام were given unique attributes; and the special attributes given to all other prophets عليهم السلام were also given to our Prophet ﷺ.
Our Prophet ﷺ is the most beloved of Allah ﷻ in the entire creation.
The path that leads to Allah ﷻ is known only by the means and guidance of prophets (13) عليهم السلام and a man cannot attain salvation except by obeying them.
Questions II: Prophets عليهم السلام
Answer: No. Only a human being can be a prophet - and only men among humans can be a prophet. A woman cannot be a prophet.
Answer: Revelation that is exclusive for prophets عليهم السلام [wahy nubuwwat] is not given to a non-prophet. Whoever believes that a non-prophet can receive this type of revelation is a kafir.
Answer: Apart from Prophets عليهم السلام, only angels are immune from sin. No one other than Prophets and angels is granted immunity from sin.
Answer: Those individuals who are divinely protected by Allah from committing a sin are known as masum - or immune from sinning. In other words, it is impossible for a masum to commit a sin (14).
Answer: Only prophets عليهم السلام and angels are masum. Nobody other than prophets and angels عليهم السلام is masum. Indeed, Allah ﷻ safeguards His Friends from committing sins, but they are not immune from sin, such that it is impossible for them to sin.
Answer: Allah ﷻ granted Sayyiduna Adam عليه السلام the knowledge of every created thing and the names of all things; this is known as the 'Knowledge of Names'.
Answer: The prostration to Sayyiduna Adams عليه السلام by angels was one of respect, veneration; in the provisions of the Sacred Law [shariah] given to earlier nations, such a gesture of respect was permitted [but is disallowed in our shariah]. However, prostration of worship was never permitted for anyone in any age (16).
Notes:
(12) Messengers are greater than Prophets, and five among them are the greatest, known as Ulu'l Azm mina'r Rusul [The Most Prominent Messengers] and they are: Sayyiduna Noh عليه السلام, Sayyidund Ibrahim عليه السلام, Sayyiduna Musa عليه السلام, Sayyiduna Yisa عليه السلام and Sayyiduna Muhammad ﷺ; and our Prophet is the greatest of them all.
(13) This path cannot be known by conjecture, or by applying one's mind or exercising one's Imagination or stumbling upon it by accident - such as inventions and discoveries.
(14) Because Allah taala has granted them Divine Protection.
(15) Eminent personalities, such as the descendants of our Prophet ﷺ.
(16) Because, only Alloh taolo is worthy of worship; and worshipping anyone/anything other than Allah is undoubtedly, an act of disbelief. There can be no compromise on this fundamental principle.