Messengers & Prophets
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
The principal role of all human beings is to seek redemption to God so they may return to Him after their death in this world. But to be redeemed to Him, they must first develop their souls large enough to withstand His awesome presence in the Hereafter which can only be achieved by worshipping God alone and leading a righteous life that pleases Him.
To ensure that they achieve the required level of soul growth and stay on the right track throughout their lives, God has been sending the humans instructions from Him, telling them exactly what they should do or not do on Earth. These instructions have come to the people in the form of ‘scriptures’ delivered by select ‘messengers,’ called prophets - specially appointed by God for this purpose. Any individual or community that “submits to” or obeys God’s will in His scriptures, is guaranteed a happy life in this world and redemption to God in the Hereafter.
What is the difference between a messenger and a prophet?
In 3:81 God described exactly the duty of the Prophet (Nabi) and the duty of the Messenger (Rasoul). Both definitions come in the middle of a very important verse that is deals with the Messenger of the Covenant:
GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you." [3:81]
Verse 3:81, among many other verses, provides the definitions of "Nabi" (Prophet) and "Rasoul" (Messenger). Thus, "Nabi" is a messenger of God who delivers a new scripture, while "Rasoul" is a messenger commissioned by God to confirm existing scripture; he does not bring a new scripture. According to the Quran, every "Nabi" is a "Rasoul," but not every "Rasoul" is a "Nabi."
Not every messenger was given a new scripture. It is not logical that God will give a scripture to a prophet, then ask him to keep it exclusively for himself, as stated by some Muslim "scholars" (2:42, 146, 159).
[2:42] Do not confound the truth with falsehood, nor shall you conceal the truth, knowingly.
Abuse of the Scripture:
Selective Emphasis and Concealment
[2:146] Those who received the scripture recognize the truth herein, as they recognize their own children. Yet, some of them conceal the truth, knowingly.
Gross Offense
[2:159] Those who conceal our revelations and guidance, after proclaiming them for the people in the scripture, are condemned by GOD; they are condemned by all the condemners.
Those who are not sufficiently familiar with the Quran tend to think that Aaron was a "Nabi," as stated in 19:53, who did not receive a scripture. However, the Quran clearly states that the Torah was given specifically "to both Moses and Aaron" (21:48, 37:117).
Prophets Moses and Aaron
[21:48] We gave Moses and Aaron the Statute Book, a beacon, and a reminder for the righteous.
[37:117] We gave both of them the profound scripture.
In other terms ALL THE PROPHETS are MESSENGERS, but NOT ALL the MESSENGERS are PROPHETS.
Muhammad - The last prophet, not the last messenger
One of the major prophecies in the Quran is that God's Messenger of the Covenant will be sent after all the prophets have come to this world, and after all of God's scriptures have been delivered.
[3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you."
We learn from Sura 33 that Muhammad was one of the prophets who made that solemn covenant with God.
[33:7] Recall that we took from the prophets their covenant, including you (O Muhammad), Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus the son of Mary. We took from them a solemn pledge.
We learn from the Quran, 33:40, that Muhammad was the last prophet (Nabi), but not the last messenger (Rasoul):
[33:40] Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger of GOD and the final prophet. GOD is fully aware of all things.
This crucial definition is confirmed by the Quran's mathematical code. The expression used in 33:40, "Muhammad Khaatum Al-Nabiyyeen" (the last prophet) has a gematrical value of 1349, 19x71, while the value of the erroneous expression "Muhammad Khaatum Al-Mursaleen" (the last messenger) is not a multiple of 19.
From time immemorial, it has been a human trait to reject a contemporary, living messenger. Joseph was declared "the last messenger" (40:34). Yet, many messengers came after him, including Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and Muhammad.
Who is the Last Messenger?*
A Tragic Human Trait
[40:34] Joseph had come to you before that with clear revelations, but you continued to doubt his message. Then, when he died you said, "GOD will not send any other messenger after him. (He was the last messenger)!"** GOD thus sends astray those who are transgressors, doubtful.
*40:34 The Jews refused to believe in the Messiah when he came to them, the Christians refused to believe in Muhammad when he came to them, and a majority of today's Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last messenger. On that erroneous basis, they refused to accept God's Messenger of the Covenant. We learn from 3:81-90 and 33:7 that those who fail to accept the Quranic injunction to ``believe in and support God's Messenger of the Covenant'' are no longer believers. See Appendices 2 & 26.
**40:34 It is noteworthy that we find the name "Rashad" in the Arabic text precisely four verses ahead of the injunction against saying "the last messenger," and also four verses after it.
God's Messenger of the Covenant
One of the major prophecies in the Quran is that God's Messenger of the Covenant will be sent after all the prophets have come to this world, and after all of God's scriptures have been delivered.
This major scriptural prophecy has now been fulfilled. God's Messenger of the Covenant has arrived, supported by overwhelming tangible proof (see Appendix Two).
God's Messenger of the Covenant is a consolidating messenger. His mission is to purify and unify all existing religions into one: Islam (Submission). The name of this messenger is mathematically coded into the Quran as "Rashad Khalifa." This is certainly the most appropriate method of introducing God's messenger to the world in the computer-age.
Major Prophecy Fulfilled*
God's Messenger of the Covenant
[3:81] GOD took a covenant from the prophets, saying, "I will give you the scripture and wisdom. Afterwards, a messenger will come to confirm all existing scriptures. You shall believe in him and support him." He said, "Do you agree with this, and pledge to fulfill this covenant?" They said, "We agree." He said, "You have thus borne witness, and I bear witness along with you."
*3:81 This major prophecy has now been fulfilled. God's Messenger of the Covenant, as prophesied in this verse and in the Bible's Malachi 3:1-21, Luke 17:22-36 & Matthew 24:27, is to purify and unify God's messages which were delivered by God's prophets. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. have been severely corrupted. It is the will of Almighty God to purify them and unify them under the banner of worshiping Him alone. Overwhelming evidence has been provided by God in support of His Messenger of the Covenant, whose name is incontrovertibly specified in the Quran's mathematical code as "Rashad Khalifa." For example, adding the gematrical value of "Rashad" (505), plus the value of "Khalifa" (725), plus the verse number (81) gives 1311, or 19x69 (see Appendix 2 for the detailed evidence).
God's Messenger of the Covenant
[5:19] O people of the scripture, our messenger has come to you, to explain things to you, after a period of time without messengers, lest you say, "We did not receive any preacher or warner." A preacher and warner has now come to you. GOD is Omnipotent.
*5:19 This verse reports the fulfillment of the biblical and Quranic prophecy regarding the advent of God's Messenger of the Covenent (Malachi 3:1, Quran 3:81). The name of this messenger is mathematically coded into the Quran as "Rashad Khalifa." This very special verse warrants the presentation of specific evidence. By adding the gematrical value of "Rashad" (505), plus the value of "Khalifa" (725), plus the sura number (5), plus the verse number (19), we obtain a total of 505+725+5+19 = 1254, or 19x66. Nineteen is the Quran's common denominator, which was revealed through Rashad Khalifa. More evidence and specific details are in Appendix Two.