Proof That Prophet Muhammad Is Not Exclusive or Superior to Other Prophets

Many Muslims believe that prophet Muhammad is more special than the other prophets

However, the Quran makes it clear that all prophets are equal and that Muhammad is no more special than the other prophets. This is proven in verse 2:285.

آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ ۚ وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا …

“The messenger believes in that which has been revealed to him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believes in God and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers – We make no distinction between any of His messengers – and they say: We hear, and we obey. …. ” (2:285)

Some Muslims assume that because the Quran was revealed to prophet Muhammad that he must be superior to other prophets and messengers. However, other prophets also have exclusive characteristics that, in some cases, may make them seem superior.

Prophet Moses’ Exclusivity

• Only once has God used the Arabic term ‘mahabbata(n)-minni’ (love from me) with respect to a child and this is with regards Prophet Moses (pbuh) (20:39)
• Prophet Moses (pbuh) is the only Messenger of God mentioned by name that was spoken to directly by God. Others, including Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) only received inspiration (4:163-164)
• Prophet Moses (pbuh) was chosen over ‘mankind’ (Arabic: is’tafaytuka ala l-nasi) by virtue of his mission and because God spoke to him directly (7:144)
• Prophet Moses (pbuh) is the most mentioned Messenger of God in the Quran whilst Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is only mentioned four times directly by name (3:144, 33:40, 47:2, 48:29).

Prophet Jesus’ Exclusivity

• He was the only Prophet strengthened with the Holy Spirit since birth (5:110)
• He was born with wisdom and spoke with wisdom as a young child (19:29; 3:46, 5:110) unlike other Prophets who did not receive Divine guidance until later in life (e.g. Prophets Abraham, Moses and Muhammad (pbut))
• He was conceived from an immaculate conception (3:47; 19:20)
• He was granted the power to heal the sick, the blind and to bring the dead to life (5:110).

Prophet Solomon’s Exclusivity

• No messenger of God was given a kingdom such as that of Prophet Solomon (pbuh) after him (38:35)
• He understood the speech of birds (along with Prophet David) (pbuh) (27:16) and the ants (27:19)
• He had control over the winds (38:36; 21:81)
• He had control over the Jinn that worked for him (38:37)

Prophet Abraham’s Exclusivity

• Prophet Abraham (pbuh) is referred to as the father of faith (22:78)
• Prophet Abraham (pbuh) is referred to as a ‘khalil’ (friend) of God (4:125)
• Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and all believers are asked to follow the footsteps / religious ways of Prophet Abraham (pbuh) (16:123)

Prophet Noah’s Exclusivity

• He was the only prophet or messenger of God mentioned as being granted such an extended life span of 950 years (29:14)

Prophet Jonah’s Exclusivity

• Prophet Jonah (pbuh) is the only messenger of God whose subsequent Prophetic ministerial success is expressed in numbers of over 100,000 believers (37:147-148).

Prophet Joseph’s Exclusivity

• His charm / beauty was greatly admired (akbara), awed at (hasha-lillah – God save us) and even likened to that of a noble angel (malakun karim) (12:31)
• He has been mentioned as being granted the wisdom to interpret dreams / events (12:6; 21; 36; 46; 100-101)

Though God has preferred and ranked some messengers over others, believers are not allowed to rank or differentiate between the messengers.

تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۘ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ …

We have made some of these messengers to excel the others among them are they to whom God spoke, and some of them He exalted by rank / degrees; and We gave clear miracles to Jesus son of Mary, and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. … (2:253)

وَرَبُّكَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَلَقَدْ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَ النَّبِيِّينَ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۖ وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًا

And We have made some of the prophets exceed others [in various ways], and to David We gave the book [of Psalms]. (17:55)

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