1. Excerpted from the book: The Messenger of God: Muhammad by Fethullah Gulen 1

2.  Recognition of prophets.  “God was gracious to the believers when He raised up among them a Messenger from themselves who recites to them the verses (of His book) and shows them His signs (in their selves and in the universe), purifies them (of their sins and deviations), and instructs them in the Book an the Wisdom. They were evidently in manifest misguidance before.” (3/164) 2

3.  Purification of sins.  They address people at their inner selves (heart, soul or conscience). 3

4.  Three important points: ◦ Prophets were chosen men ◦ The world is never left devoid of successors ◦ Death is not total annihilation 4

5.  Ultimate goal of Humanity is to serve God: “I have not created jinn and humanity except to serve me” (Qur’an 51:56)  God sent prophets to guide us to His service 5

6.  Delivering Divine Commandments.  Enlightening humanity about all dimensions of life.  Indifference and mocking of Makkan polytheists. 6

7.  Journey to Taif and the case of Addas.  Farewell sermon: confirmation of delivering the message. 7

8.  Examples that are to be followed consciously: “Those are they whom God has guided, so follow their guidance”. (6:90)  God’s Messenger is our Leader. 8

9.  The narration by Bukhari and Muslim: “The best of you are those who live in my period, then those who succeed them, and then those who follow them.”  Conquest of Jerusalem and the attitude of priests about giving the keys of city to Umar. 9

10.  Qur’an states: “Seek the Last Abode amidst that which God has given you, and do not forget your portion of the present world.” (28:27)  Balance between material and spiritual life. 10

11.  Case of Christians and Jews.  Reaction of Abu Bakr about a class of ice cold water. 11

12.  Not to be able to plead ignorance in the Judgement day for humanity.  “Messengers bearing good tidings and warning, so that humanity might have no arguments against God.” (4:165) 12

13.  All of the existence heed to prophets.  “We never punish until We have sent a Messenger.” (Qur’an 17:15) 13