THE PROPHET AND HIS MISSION — From The Quran

life, while a believer receives by his association with God something more precious than all the things of the world. Remembrance of God, thought of the life hereafter, worship, a life of piety, devotion to God, and concern that the servants of God may be saved from His chastisement — all these are forms of provision, and of a far higher quality than material things, and will translate for the believer into endless bliss in the life Hereafter. Basic Task Addressing the Prophet, God says: You who are wrapped up in your vestment, arise and give warning. Magnify your Lord, cleanse your garment and keep away from all pollution. Bestow no favours expecting gain. Be patient for your Lord's sake. (THE QURAN 74: 1-7) From these we learn that the actual task of the Prophet was warning people of the serious consequences in the life to come, of their actions in this world. This duty could be performed only by one whose heart was filled with the greatness of God; who possessed a high moral character; who kept away from all evil; who did good without any hope of return, and who suffered patiently all the hardships inflicted by others. Four Responsibilities The Prophet of Islam is said to be the answer to Abraham's prayer. When Abraham settled his son Ismael and his wife Hajira in the deserts of the Hijaz, according to the Quran he prayed thus: Send forth to them a messenger of their own people who shall declare to them Your revelations and instruct them in the book and in wisdom and purify them. You are the Mighty, the Wise One. (THE QURAN 2: 129) The first task of the Prophet was to receive God's revelations and communicate them to people, i.e. he had to recite the verses of the Quran and explain them to his hearers. Innumerable signs, within human nature and in the outside world, have been placed, by God so that Man may realize Him through them. The second task of the Prophet was to reveal these signs and give people the insight to enable them to develop faith in their Lord.