In English, the word most commonly used for nabi is “prophet”.” Its literal sense is “one who foretells.” But the Arabic word nabi carries meanings beyond that. Technically, a nabi is “a man who receives revelation (waḥy) from God.” If, along with revelation, he is also charged with the mission of conveying it as a message to his people, then he is called a rasūl (Messenger). Every rasūl is a nabi, but not every nabi is necessarily a rasūl.

The status of being a nabi or rasūl is not something attained through meditation, ritual, or family honor. They are those whom Allah, the Lord of the worlds, creates with distinctive qualities and appoints for His purpose. The Qur’an itself declares this truth in Sūrat al-An‘ām (6:124): “Allah knows best whom to entrust with His message.”

According to reports, the number of prophets sent to humanity was either 124,000 or 224,000. Among them, 313 were messengers (rusul) entrusted with a mission of proclamation. And among those, five were singled out with the special title of ūlū al-‘azm — the “possessors of firm resolve.” The first of the prophets was Adam, the father of humankind; the last was Muhammad ﷺ.

Why Were Prophets Sent?

The answer is simple. The God who created and sustains humanity chose to make His will known to mankind. For this purpose, He appointed messengers from among human beings themselves. These were the prophets.

Allah, who has the absolute power to guide human beings by any means, chose this method: to send exemplary men as messengers and to reveal scriptures as guiding lights. Humanity itself was fashioned by God with a unique nature and disposition; the way of life He prescribed through His messengers was precisely suited to that nature.

How Can One Reasonably Believe That Muhammad ﷺ Was God’s Messenger?

Let us reflect. Muhammad ﷺ was born into a noble family in Makkah. Both his parents were known for their good qualities. He grew up among his own people, within his own land. His adolescence and youth were lived as a model of uprightness.

The entire community knew him by titles like al-Amīn (the Trustworthy) and al-Ṣādiq (the Truthful). Not once — not even in jest — did he utter a falsehood. He never violated anyone’s rights. He never committed an injustice or displayed vice. For forty years, he lived in Makkah with this spotless record. People entrusted him with their valuables; he was called upon to mediate disputes; he was respected even by Makkah’s leading men.

And then this very man declared to his people: “I am the Messenger of God.” Could someone who never once lied in his life suddenly tell a colossal falsehood about something so grave? Is that even thinkable? No. By common sense itself, such a charge collapses.

Let us think further: when he claimed to be God’s Messenger, did he offer any evidence? Yes — he presented the Qur’an. He declared it to be the Word of the Creator.

Could it be that he authored it himself and falsely ascribed it to God? How so? He had never studied under a teacher. He had never learned to read and write in a formal way. Could he have copied it from another scripture? Impossible. No other book in the world resembles the Qur’an in its language, content, or style.

Consider from the perspective of today: for more than fourteen centuries, a book has been read, studied, memorized, and recited daily by millions. It continues to shape lives and societies. What other explanation can be given for such a text, except that it is unique and divine? Even the Prophet’s fiercest critics have never been able to produce anything like it.

Are there other proofs? Yes — many. The Prophet ﷺ made numerous prophecies about matters that could never have been deduced by ordinary reasoning. Events unfolded exactly as he foretold. One could compile a long list of such fulfilled prophecies.

Was Muhammad ﷺ a Real Person?

Someone may still press further: “Did a man named Muhammad really live fourteen centuries ago? Or is he only a legendary figure?”

Here, too, the answer is straightforward. Of all historical figures, the life of Muhammad ﷺ is the one for which we possess the strongest evidence. His biography is documented without interruption — from his own time until today. Generations of scholars recorded every detail: his sayings, actions, and the chain of transmission of those who reported them. The recorders themselves, their lives, and their reliability have also been documented.

According to the very standards of historiography, Muhammad ﷺ’s existence is as certain as anything history can offer. Indeed, the case for his life and mission stands stronger than for almost any other figure known to humanity.

Notes for Context

1. Nabi and Rasūl: In Islamic theology, both terms refer to men chosen by God, but a rasūl is given a message to convey, often with scripture, while a nabi may not be.
2. Ulu’l-‘Azm: The five prophets of firm resolve — Nūḥ (Noah), Ibrāhīm (Abraham), Mūsā (Moses), ‘Īsā (Jesus), and Muhammad ﷺ.
3. Qur’an as Proof: Muslims believe its eloquence, unmatched style, and enduring impact are themselves a standing miracle.
4. Historical Documentation: Unlike mythic figures, the Prophet’s life is anchored in continuous chains of transmission (isnād), making it one of the most well-attested lives in history.