Mohammad: Prophet of Revolution

MOHAMMAD: Prophet of Revolution Part I, Chapter I From Adam to the Messiah All of the prophets had the same mission. They taught that man’s life on earth was just a part of his eternal life. In this world he was being tested; in the next world he would be rewarded for his efforts. Man had just a short time on earth. Afterwards he would take up his eternal abode, in heaven, if he had followed the way of the Lord; or in hell, if he had strayed from it. This was the reality of life that they taught. Adam was the first man on earth; he was also the first prophet. He was succeeded by a long line of prophets, up to the Messiah. Altogether there were 124,000 messengers of God, of whom 315 were prophets. They appeared in different lands and among different peoples, preaching the word of God and exhorting men to live in fear of Him. But very few of those they addressed were willing to give up their freedom for the sake of God. No one, for instance, followed the Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) and he died a martyr’s death. When Lot left his people only two of his daughters accompanied him. According to the Old Testament, only eight people entered the ark along with Noah. When Abraham left his native country, Iraq, the only people to accompany him were his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot. They were later joined by his two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. After great missionary effort on the part of Jesus, only twelve of those who heard his teachings followed him, and even they forsook him at the moment of truth. (Matthew, 26:25) This was the case with most of the prophets. Some were left completely alone, whilst others found a few followers, mostly members of their own families. For them, ties of kith and kin were conducive to belief in the prophets. This verse of the Quran sums up the whole of prophetic history: Alas for the servants! They laugh to scorn every prophet that comes to them. (36:30)