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Prophets and
Messengers
“As-Salaam `Alaykum. I would like to pose this question:
Is there any evidence that a Prophet was sent to the ancient people of
India? In view of the Glorious Qur’an, revelations to several Prophets
had been sent to various communities in the world. If yes, who are they?
Name of Mufti Dr. M. M. Abu Laylah
Wa`alaykum As-Salaamu Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon
His Messenger.
Dear questioner, thanks for forwarding your question to us, reflecting
the great confidence you repose in us. We implore Allah to increase your
Iman and religious knowledge, Amen.
A clear and well-established fact in the Qur’an states that Allah
Almighty sends Prophets and Messengers to all nations of the world to
warn them against disbelief and give glad tidings of the reward that
awaits them in the Hereafter, if they obeyed Allah’s Messengers,
followed their guidance and acted upon the Divine teachings. Allah
Almighty says, “Lo! We have sent thee (Muhammad) with the Truth, a
bearer of glad tidings and a warner; and there is not a nation but a
warner hath passed among them.” (Fatir: 24)
In his response to the question, Dr. Muhammad M. Abu Laylah, Professor
of the Islamic Studies & Comparative Religions at Al-Azhar University,
states the following:
"We, Muslims, believe that Allah never deprive any nation in the world
of having access to a divine message. This fact is referred to in the
Qur’an, as Allah Almighty says: “And unto thee have We revealed the
Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it,
and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah hath
revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which hath
come unto thee. For each We have appointed a divine law and a traced out
way. Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He
may try you by that which He hath given you (He hath made you as ye
are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allah ye will all
return, and He will then inform you of that wherein ye differ.” (Al-Ma’dah:
48)
He Almighty also says: “Lo! We have sent thee with the Truth, a bearer
of glad tidings and a warner; and there is not a nation but a warner
hath passed among them.” (Fatir: 24)
Allah tells us in the Qur’an that He doesn’t hold any person accountable
for his deeds and words unless He has sent a Prophet to guide and teach
him, for our mental faculty can not in itself search and know about God
and goodness. Allah Almighty says: “Whosoever goeth right, it is only
for (the good of) his own soul that he goeth right, and whosoever erreth,
erreth only to its hurt. No laden soul can bear another's load. We never
punish until We have sent a messenger.” (Al-Israa’: 15)
Also, in the Qur’an Allah reveals that He sent many Prophets. Some of
them are mentioned in the Qur’an and others are not. He Almighty says: “
O ye who believe! Believe in Allah and His messenger and the Scripture
which He hath revealed unto His messenger, and the Scripture which He
revealed aforetime. Whoso disbelieveth in Allah and His angels and His
scriptures and His messengers and the Last Day, he verily hath wandered
far astray.” (Al-Nisaa’: 136)
The Qur’an also refers to some Divine Scriptures such as the Scrolls of
Abraham, the Torah of Moses, the Gospel of Jesus. We believe that before
these books, Allah also revealed sacred revelations and inspirations.
Having stated this, we’d like to make it clear that India was not
exempted from this general Divine rule. Ancient India might have
Prophets and Messengers, and also some Divine books as well.
Until now, this can be seen in the religious practices and devotions of
the Indians. The Indians are very keen in observing religion and their
traditions. That is why when Muslims entered India they considered the
Indian religions as of quasi-divine origin and treated them like Jews
and Christians.
However, we should bear in mind that Islam neither accepts nor condones
any practice of ascribing partners unto Allah. So there is no room in
Islam for the belief in multi-gods."
If you have any further comments, please don't hesitate to write back!
May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which
pleases Him, Amen.
Allah Almighty knows best.”
http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=82111
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