Fundamental Differences Between Muhammad and the other Prophets

The Qur'an specifically mentions his mercy towards the creation, the believers and towards humanity. He is stated as,

• A light (33:46)
• A mercy for the creation (21:107)
• Gentle with the believers (3:159)
• Pardons and prays for the forgiveness of the believers (3:159)
• Asks the believers for their counsel when making decisions of public concern (3:159)
• Great concern for humanity's fate in the hereafter (9:128)
• Full of compassion and mercy towards the believers (9:128)

Functions of a Prophet or Messenger

1. Speaks to God (2:253)
2. To evidence the truth (2:253); Provides evidence of truth (7:73, 78)
3. Receives inspiration (2:253)
4. Pledge themselves to God (21:85)
5. To be patient in adversity (21:85)
6. To be righteous (21:85; 6:85)
7. To be guided and corrected by God (21:87)
8. To ask God for deliverance from calamity (21:88)
9. To be doers of good (6:84)
10. To father and train the next prophet or messenger (6:84)
11. To be favoured by God above others (6:86)
12. God guides them, and their ancestors as well as their descendants (6:87)
13. Calls to the worship of the One God (7:73, 78)
14. To be conscious of God (26:124, 126)
15. Provides a sign from God to his people (7:73)
16. Warns the people about disobeying God (7:73)
17. Instructs people about right and wrong (7:85)
18. Is trustworthy (26:125)
19. Must be obeyed (26:126)
20. Does not get paid or any reward or benefit from the people for being a prophet or messenger (26:127)
21. Delivers the same message as every prophet and messenger (42:13)
22. Does not guide anyone to salvation, as that is in God’s hands (42:13) 

Diverse Functions, Roles and Qualities of Prophet Muhammad

1. A guide to the right path (45:25)
2. Inspired by God (45:25)
3. Guided by God (45:25)
4. Not a father to anyone (33:40)
5. God's messenger (33:40); God’s messenger to humanity (4:79)
6. Seal of the prophets (33:40)
7. A witness of the truth (33:45)
8. A herald of glad tidings (33:45)
9. A Warner (33:45)
10. A summoner to God (33:46)
11. A light (33:46)
12. Blessed by God and His angels (33:56)
13. Believers must surrender to his guidance (33:56) and his judgements (4:65)
14. An Arab prophet (2:151; 3:164; 62:2); a human messenger (9:128)
15. Came to purify (2:151; 3:164; 62:2)
16. To impart the revelations and the wisdom (2:151; 3:164; 62:2)
17. To teach people the revelations and the wisdom (2:151; 3:164; 62:2)
18. Pledging allegiance to the prophet is the same as pledging allegiance to God (48:10)
19. To obey the messenger is to obey God (4:80)
20. Not a watcher over those who reject faith (4:80)
21. Messenger is only obeyed because of God’s permission (4:64)
22. Messenger asking for forgiveness for others is accepted by God (4:64)
23. A judge over all disputes (4:65)
24. Accepts charity as reparation for sins (9:103)
25. A role model (68:5); a good example for those who are with hope and awe of God and the Last Day, and remember God frequently (33:21)
26. A mercy for the creation (21:107)
27. Acts by God’s grace (3:159)
28. Deal gently with the believers (3:159)
29. Pardons and prays for the forgiveness of the believers (3:159)
30. Asks the believers for their counsel when making decisions of public concern (3:159)
31. Trusts in God (3:159)
32. Great concern for humanity’s fate in the hereafter (9:128)
33. Full of compassion and mercy towards the believers (9:128)

Character Traits of Prophets Yusuf and Yaqub (alayhimus salam)

Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) Alayhis Salam

• Loving son (12:4)
• Morally upright (12:23)
• In self-control - did not give in to temptation (12:24)
• Speak the truth (12:26)
• Ready to sacrifice his freedom for his beliefs (12:33)
• God-conscious (12:33, 53, 90)
• Trust in God (12:34, 90)
• Believes in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (12:38)
• Conveys God’s message to others (12:39-40)
• Patient in adversity (12:42, 90)
• Known as someone who tells the truth (12:46)
• His reputation is important to him (12:50)
• He wants the truth to be known (12:50)
• Even enemies testify to his upright character (12:51)
• Does not want any donut about his trustworthiness (12:52)
• Know your strengthens and qualifications (12:55)
• Generous to his family (12:62)
• Intelligent (12:62)
• Judicious (12:70-79)
• Defends himself (12:77)
• Confront wrong-doers with the truth (12:89)
• Forgiving to those who have wronged him (12:92)
• Family oriented (12:99)
• Honoured his parents (12:100)
• Grateful to God even after adversity (12:100-101)
• Wants closeness to God (12:101)

Prophet Yaqub (Jacob) Alayhis Salam

• Loving father (12:5)
• God-conscious (12:6, 64)
• Believes in the God of Abraham and Isaac (12:6)
• Intuitive (12:13, 94)
• Patient in adversity (12:18, 83)
• Trust in God (12:18, 66, 67, 83, 84, 96)
• Cautious (12:64, 66, 67)
• Vigilant (12:67)
• Turn to God in times of grief and sorrow (12:86)
• Does not lose hope (12:87)
• Forgiving to those who’ve done wrong (12:98)

Life Lessons from Prophet Hud

1. If you know you're right, don't give up.

2. Ignore rumours and lies.

3. Put your trust in Allah.

4. Always ask Allah for help.

5. When you stand up for the truth, people will fabricate things about you.

6. People with wealth and fame aren't the ones chosen by Allah to do His work.

7. Technology, wealth and military might cannot stop the punishment of Allah.

8. Do not ask for the punishment to be brought forth. 

9. Rather, turn in repentance to Allah. This will avert the punishment.

10. To reject one prophet is to reject them all. Similarly, to reject one part of Islam is to reject all of Islam.

11. Dawah is always free.

12. Guidance does not come in the form or the circumstances which you prefer. Many a time it comes in the form and manner least expected by you and forces you to look hard at your life and your priorities.

13. Guidance comes at Allah's pleasure not when it suits you.

14. Be patient.

Life Lessons from Prophet Saleh

- Human nature will never change.

- Don't ask for the punishment.

- Listen to the one who knows. 

- Believe in the signs.

- Obeying the prophet is obligatory. 

Prophet Adam's life: a life with great lessons

His creation was controversial as the angels did not understand the reason for his creation.

- Allah created in us the innate desire to know things about ourselves and the universe.

- Even something which does evil has the propensity to do much virtue

- Allah's commands must be obeyed 

Allah taught him the names of all things. 

- Knowledge always wins over ignorance

- All knowledge comes from Allah

Adam and Hawwa lived in Paradise

- Paradise is our original home

- Satan took us out of our home. He doesn't want us to return there

Iblis refused to bow down.

- Envy and jealousy can lead to kufr

- Arrogance is hated by Allah

- Shaitan believes in Allah yet disobeyed Him

Shaitan asks Allah for respite and promises to lead humans astray except those whom Allah guides.

- Shaitan is true to his promise

- He is our avowed enemy

- He promised to attack us from above and from each side

Allah forbid Adam and Hawwa from eating from one tree in Paradise.

- Tree represents all that is haram

- Obeying Allah's commandments is to remain in Paradise 

- Shaitan tempts us with haram and leads us astray

Adam and Hawwa are repentant and ask Allah for forgiveness. Allah forgives them. Both of them are sent to Earth. Allah promises guidance for mankind.

- Repentance is the salvation of humankind 

- Always remain close to Allah

- Allah sent prophets and books to guide humanity out of His mercy

- Allah forgives those who sincerely repent

- Our stay on this Earth is a test

- Those who follow the guidance will be saved like Adam and Hawwa

Allah compares Adam to Jesus.

- Both were miraculously created

- One without parents and the other without a father

- Adam's creation was greater and more superior