Muhammad (pbuh) is important, not superior or inferior to the other messenger but an equal. He is particularly important in today's world since much is documented and known about his life and his sayings. There is a strong collection of Hadith available that deals with everything from how to brush one's teeth, eat, pray, give, resolved disputes etc. Unlike many messengers before him, his life in a large part an open book. Thus in a practical manner, the example of Muhammad (pbuh) would be far easier to follow than that of Jesus or Noah or any of the other messengers, simply on the basis that much more of his life is known and his actions documented.
However, Muhammad (pbuh) is one of the messengers of God. He is an example and much is known about his life and actions. Due to the oral and written tradition during his life, we have tremendous knowledge of his day to day existence and his practice of faith, unlike the many of the previous messengers.The Quran mentions several messengers of God. These include, Moses, Noah, Jacob, Abraham, Joseph amongst others. In addition it mentions that there are many more messengers who have brought the same message but have not been mentioned in the Quran.
"So (you believers) say, ' We believe in God and what was sent down to us and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses, Jesus and all the prophets by their Lord. We make no any distinction between any of them and we devote ourselves to Him.' " 2:136
Thus the Quran makes it crystal clear that there have been numerous messengers of God that have come to humanity and there is no hierarchy amongst them. Each of the messengers are equally important. Each of them have come here to spread the same message. Each of them are part of the tradition of Islam. Thus when Muslims in conversations Christians or Jews or any people of faith should have high regard for the teachings therein, for all the messengers that have come before have brought the same message that is in the Quran. Since only some of the messengers are mentioned in the Quran and others are not, we must assume that there are many who are rightly guided by the messengers that have come to their community. This is further substantiated by the Quran. " The Muslim believers, the Jews, the Christians and the Sabians- all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good- will have their rewards with their Lord. No fear for them, nor will they grieve." 2:62
Thus we can further infer that not only is there no hierarchy between the prophets or messengers of God, but furthermore God is not brand conscious. He is not concerned with the worldly labels we hold, whether we are Christians, Jews or of another label, the key point is that we do good, not for the sake of worldly gains, but for the sake of God alone and remember that we will be held accountable on the Last Day. The Quran brings a unifying message without labels, focused on good deeds alone.
However, Muhammad (pbuh) is one of the messengers of God. He is an example and much is known about his life and actions. Due to the oral and written tradition during his life, we have tremendous knowledge of his day to day existence and his practice of faith, unlike the many of the previous messengers.The Quran mentions several messengers of God. These include, Moses, Noah, Jacob, Abraham, Joseph amongst others. In addition it mentions that there are many more messengers who have brought the same message but have not been mentioned in the Quran.
"So (you believers) say, ' We believe in God and what was sent down to us and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses, Jesus and all the prophets by their Lord. We make no any distinction between any of them and we devote ourselves to Him.' " 2:136
Thus the Quran makes it crystal clear that there have been numerous messengers of God that have come to humanity and there is no hierarchy amongst them. Each of the messengers are equally important. Each of them have come here to spread the same message. Each of them are part of the tradition of Islam. Thus when Muslims in conversations Christians or Jews or any people of faith should have high regard for the teachings therein, for all the messengers that have come before have brought the same message that is in the Quran. Since only some of the messengers are mentioned in the Quran and others are not, we must assume that there are many who are rightly guided by the messengers that have come to their community. This is further substantiated by the Quran. " The Muslim believers, the Jews, the Christians and the Sabians- all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good- will have their rewards with their Lord. No fear for them, nor will they grieve." 2:62
Thus we can further infer that not only is there no hierarchy between the prophets or messengers of God, but furthermore God is not brand conscious. He is not concerned with the worldly labels we hold, whether we are Christians, Jews or of another label, the key point is that we do good, not for the sake of worldly gains, but for the sake of God alone and remember that we will be held accountable on the Last Day. The Quran brings a unifying message without labels, focused on good deeds alone.
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