The Meaning of Prophets of strong will
Allah, the Almighty says: “Therefore be patient (O Muhammad) as did the Messengers of strong will and be in no haste about them (disbelievers).” [Surat Al Ahqaf: 35].
The most accurate opinion is that they are five: Our Prophet Muhammad, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them). It is proven because Allah mentioned the Messengers then linked them with this group of prophets; linking the exclusive to the inclusive has a benefit which is increasing the merit of the exclusive, as Allah the Almighty says: ”We took from the Prophets their covenant: As (We did) from thee: from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, the son of Mary: We took from them a solemn covenant:” [Surat Al Ahzab: 7]. So, the meaning is: Be patient like the Prophets of strong will i.e., the Messengers.
Some scholars commented on this point saying: (The Prophets of strong will are Noah, Abraham….. Moses, Jesus and Muhammad).
First: Prophet Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
*His name: Muhammad ibn `Abdullah ibn `Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim ibn `Abd Manaf ibn Qusay ibn Kilab ibn Murrah ibn Ka`b ibn Lo’ay ibn Ghaleb ibn Fihr ibn Malik ibn An-Nadr ibn Kenanah ibn Khozaymah ibn Madrakah ibn Ilias ibn Mudar ibn Nizar ibn Ma`d ibn Adnan. His origin returns back to Abraham the father of the Prophets.
His birth (peace be upon him): On Monday in the month of Rabi` Al-Awwal, 53 Before Hijrah (Prophet’s migration to Medina) in the year of the Elephant corresponding 571 A.D. His father died before his birth.
His spouses (peace be upon him): Our prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married Khadijah Bint Khowayled when he was twenty five years old. He went on a trade with her slave Maysarah who was fascinated by the character of Muhammad as he was sincere and honest. So, when he came back, he told her of what he saw, thus she wanted to marry Muhammad.
The beginning of his mission (peace be upon him): When the Prophet was forty years old, he saw the Archangel of Allah at the cave of mount Hira’ on Monday 17 of Ramadan, year 13 Before Hijrah, 610 A.D.
His emigration to Medina: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) went to Medina with Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). They headed to the cave of Thawr where they stayed for three nights. Quraysh failed to find them, then they entered Medina and were welcomed by its people, where he built his mosque and house.
His morals (peace be upon him): The messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was the most generous, sincere, gentle, benevolent man. Allah, the Almighty says: “And You (stand) on an exalted standard of character.” [Surat Al-Qalam: 4]. He was the bravest, the most virtuous and humble man. He was shier than a virgin girl in her room. He accepted gifts and rewarded for them and refused alms. He did not get angry for the sake of himself, but for the sake of Allah. He (peace be upon him) had never refused any food. He did not eat while he was leaning. He lived for months without food cooked in his house [i.e., was very poor and couldn’t find his daily food]. He was sitting with the poor and the needy, visiting the sick, and walking in funeral processions.
His piety and livelihood (peace be upon him): `A'ishah reported that when Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) occupied himself in prayer, he observed such a (long) qiyam (posture of standing in prayer) that his feet were swollen. `A'ishah said:
O Allah's Messenger, you do this (in spite of the fact) that your past and future sins have been pardoned for you? Thereupon, he said. `A'ishah should I not prove myself to be a thanksgiving servant (of Allah)? [Reported by Al Bukhari No. (4557) and Muslim No. 81-(2820)].
His death (peace be upon him): The messenger (peace be upon him) died on the forenoon of Monday 13, Rabi` Awal, 11 AH, corresponding 8, June, 632 AD in Medina and was buried in the room of `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) south east the Prophet’s mosque.
Second, Prophet Noah (peace be upon him)
Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) is one of the strong-will Prophets. He is Noah, the son of Lamech son of Methuselah son of Enoch –who was Idris- son of Yard son of Mahlayeel son of Kinan son of Anosh son of Sheath son of Adam, the father of humankind. His people were called the sons of Raseb.
The Message of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him)
Allah sent Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) to his people after the spread of Idolatry.
Noah (peace be upon him) spent 950 years in calling his people. He invoked Allah: “He said: "O my Lord! Truly my people have rejected me. Judge Thou, then, between me and them openly, and deliver me and those of the Believers who are with me.” [Surat Ash-Shu`ara’: 117-118].
Allah, the Almighty, revealed to him that He will ruin who refused to worship Allah, Glorified and Exalted Be He: “It was revealed to Noah: "None of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds. But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration, and address Me no (further) on behalf of those who are in sin: for they are about to be overwhelmed (in the Flood)." [Surat Hud: 36 -37].
Noah obeyed the command of Allah and began to build the ark, in which he went on board and selected two from every couple and his family and the believers who were few. The divine command was issued to earth and heaven: “So We opened the gates of heaven, with water pouring forth. And We caused the earth to gush forth with springs, so the waters met (and rose) to the extent decreed.” [Surat Al Qamar: 11 – 12].
Then people split into two teams as it is always the case with human beings: A team responded to Allah’s invitation and embarked the rescue ark and a team refused and were lost in the waves of darkness.
The death of Noah (peace be upon him)
Noah died after a life full of hard work and belief. Ibn Kathir said: As for his grave, he was buried in the sacred mosque, this opinion is the strongest and more proven than what is mentioned by a lot of the subsequent scholars who said that he was buried in a town at Ka’ called nowadays (kark Noah) which is located now in Lebanon.
Third: Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him)
Our Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) is one of the strong-will Prophets. He is Abraham son of Nahor son of Sarog son of Raao son of Aber son of Shaleh son of Salem son of Noah (peace be upon him). He was born in Babel.
Abraham (peace be upon him) and his people
The Glorious Qur’an mentions two conversations between our Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) and his people where he invited them to worship Allah (Glorified and Exalted Be He). Allah mentions in Surat Al Anbiya’ (The Prophets), Al Shu`ara’ and As-Saffat, how Abraham debated with his people over idolatry and broke the idols. His father was creating the idols they worshipped and gave them to Abraham to sell. Abraham was saying who would buy a thing that harms him and never benefits? He used to take them to the river and say: Drink! To make his people laugh till that matter spread among them. He said: ”And by Allah, I have a plan for your idols - after ye go away and turn your backs.” [Surat Al Anbiya’: 57], where some of them heard him.
Abraham entered the house of gods where people left food for them and said: ”Will you not eat (of the offerings before you)?...” when no one answered, he said: “What is the matter with you that you speak not (intelligently)? Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand.” [Surat As-Saffat: 91 - 93]. Then he hung the axe in the neck of the biggest idol, then they said: “They said, "Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be some man of impiety!” [Surat Al Anbiya’: 59]. A group of them said: “We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham” [Surat Al Anbiya’: 60]. They brought him and said: “They said, "Are you the one that did this with our gods, O Abraham? He said: "Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! Ask them, if they can speak intelligently!” [Surat Al Anbiya’: 62 - 63].
Abraham (peace be upon him) and Nimrod
He is Nimrod son of Kanaan. He was one of the great four kings of the world, as they were two believers: Dhul-Qarnain and Solomon and two disbelievers: Nimrod and Nebuchadnezzar. He is one of the tyrants in the world.
Abraham, the Khalil of Allah
It is the description which Allah granted Abraham in the Glorious Qur’an. Allah, the Almighty says: “For Allah did take Abraham for a friend.” [Surat An-Nisa’: 125].
Al Khalil was so-called because his love fills the heart to the fullest. Abraham deserved this honorable rank because of his great love to Allah as He made him see the earth and heavens and he preached his people again and again to the oneness of Allah and forbade them from worshiping sun, moon, and stars as well as idols then he turned himself in fire, his son as a sacrifice, and his wealth to guests.
The death of Abraham (peace be upon him)
Abraham lived for one hundred and seventy or ninety years. Scholars did not agree concerning the place of Prophets’ graves visited by people. However, all scholars agreed on the place of Prophet Muhammad’s grave.
Fourth: Prophet Moses (peace be upon him)
Moses (peace be upon him) is one of the strong-will Prophets. He was the son of `Imran and his grandfather was Jacob (peace be upon him).
He was born during the era of the Pharaoh, the famous tyrant. The Pharaoh was dominating over the Israelites as he was torturing them. He saw in a dream before the birth of Moses that a fire came from Jerusalem and burned the Egyptians and left the Israelites. He asked the priests and they said: A man will came out of this place to destruct Egypt. So, he ordered to sly all the male babies of the Israelites and leave girls alive as Allah, the Almighty says: “Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections, depressing a small group among them: their sons he slew.” [Surat Al Anbiya’: 4].
Allah mentioned the story of Moses in the very details as for his suckling, throwing him in the river, the prohibition of nursing mothers for him, his marriage, his message to the Pharaoh, his debate with the sorcerers, destruction of the Pharaoh by drowning him, giving Allah the Tablets to him, the story of the Sumerian, and straying…etc., one shall refer to the books of explanation or the stories of the Prophets.
Fifth: Prophet Jesus, son of Mary (peace be upon him)
Jesus, the Christ (peace be upon him) is one of the strong-will Prophets. He was the last prophet sent to the Israelites.
There is no other prophet between him and Muhammad (peace be upon him). He gave glad tidings about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah, the Almighty says: “Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, "this is evident sorcery!" [Surat As-Saff: 6]. The glad tidings of Muhammad (peace be upon him) was mentioned in the Gospel of Barnabas – chapter 97.
His name: He was Jesus, son of Mary, Daughter of `Imran. `Imran is one of the grandsons of David (peace be upon him).
The life of Jesus (peace be upon him): Mary (peace be upon her) became pregnant with the baby, Jesus, while she was a virgin and never married, and she came to her people carrying him in her arms and the following happened as mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an: “At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! Truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!” [Surat Mariam: 27]. i.e., you brought an amazing thing. “She pointed to the babe” [Surat Mariam: 29]. She kept silent as she vowed fast to Allah from talking, so she pointed at her baby to answer them: “They said: How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?” [Surat Mariam: 29]. Then Allah made the baby Jesus Christ speak to announce his coming prophecy and message and to tell them that the one who is able to infringe the rule and made him speak in his cradle is the Omnipotent. “He said: I am indeed a servant of Allah. He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; And He hath made me blessed whosesoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; (He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!" [Surat Mariam: 30-33].
Jesus, son of Mary, and his mother (peace be upon them) were two miracles of Allah to the worlds.
Jesus was brought up with his mother away from Bethlehem in Palestine in a town that have high land. “And We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs.” [Surat Al Mu’minun: 50].
Allah sent him a book called the Bible. Allah, the Almighty, says: “And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.” [Surat Al Ma’idah: 46].
Jesus (peace be upon him) invited the Israelites to turn back to the right religion of Allah and to correct the distortions and alterations that took place in their religion.
Allah granted Jesus, son of Mary (peace be upon him), the grace of making amazing miracles as a confirmation to his prophecy and a support for his message such as bring the dead alive by Allah’s leave and healing those born blind, and the lepers by Allah’s leave. He was telling them what they eat and what they save in their houses as a metaphysical predict.
A sect of the Israelites believed in Jesus, whereas he was denied by most of them. The disciples were some of the people who believed in and accompanied him. They were his friends and disciples who accompanied him; they were twelve men.
Jesus (peace be upon him) went on declaring his message, arguing with disbelievers, guiding them to Allah, the Almighty, ordering them to virtuousness, stating the corruption of their doctrine, and exposing their hypocrisy and malice till they became fed up with him. Then the senior Jewish and rabbis met together and said: We are afraid that he would spoil our religion and that people may believe in him. So, they agreed on killing and crucifying him in the same manner they did when they sentenced anyone to death. Jesus (peace be upon him) knew their intention, so he disappeared away from them then he went with his disciples to the place they used to meet in. One of the people knew this place, so he guided the people to him but when they entered the place, Allah gave the betrayal disciple the appearance of Jesus, then they took him and crucified him to death while believing he was the Christ. Allah made Jesus (peace be upon him) ascend to heaven. Allah, the Almighty, says: “That they said (in boast), ‘We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.;- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:- Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.“ [Surat An-Nisa’: 157-158].
The descent of Jesus (peace be upon him) will be one of the major signs of the Day of Resurrection.