The Prophet in the Quran

The Prophet as a Human Being The Quran describes the Prophet of Islam as a human being like any other. What distinguished him from others was not his being something other than human, but, rather his being a prophet, as well as being a human being. This is illustrated by the following verses from the Quran: ‘Holy is my Lord. I am but a human being sent as a messenger.’ (The Quran, 17:93) ‘I am only a human being like yourselves. It is revealed to me that your God is One God.’ (The Quran, 18:110) Their messengers replied, ‘We are indeed mortals like yourselves.’ (The Quran, 14: 11) This was something natural and gave credence to the practical example set by the Prophet of Islam for the benefit of all human beings. It is quite clear that his ability to convince rested on his being a human being like all others; on his having feelings of the same nature as other human beings; and on his being made of the same flesh and blood as others. If all these things had not been found in common between the Prophet and other human beings, the command to follow the example of the Prophet would have been rendered impracticable. The greatness of the Prophet of Islam lay in adopting a superior code of ethics as a human being, so that he should come up to the highest standard of conduct in all matters. Had he been cast in some superhuman mould, his exemplary character could not have served as a model for human beings. The Prophet – A Test for People Objections raised by opponents of the Prophet are thus referred to in the Quran: They ask: ‘Why has an angel not been sent down to him?’ If We did send down an angel, the matter would be settled and they would not have been granted any respite. Indeed, if We had sent an angel as messenger, We would have made him in the form of a man as well, and would have thus added to their confusion. (The Quran, 6:8-9) In chapter 25 the Quran records a similar objection raised by doubters: They also say: ‘How is it that this Apostle eats and walks about the market-place? Why has no angel been sent down with him to warn us? or (why) has no treasure been given him, no garden to provide his sustenance?’ (The Quran, 25:7-8) At another place, the Quran says: Nothing has prevented men from believing whenever guidance came to them, save their