Risalah | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Introduction

Risalah refers to the concept of prophethood in Islam, where Allah selects specific individuals to convey His divine messages to humanity.

Core Beliefs of Risalah

• Allah communicates His revelations to chosen prophets through angels.
• Numerous prophets have been appointed by Allah to spread the message of Islam.
• The Qur’an identifies 25 significant prophets, including Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• It is believed that 124,000 prophets contributed to the development of Islam over time.
• Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is considered the final prophet, referred to as ‘The Seal of the Prophets.’
• Earlier divine messages, before Muhammad, were altered or lost over time.
• Judaism and Christianity hold some elements of truth but do not retain the original divine messages.
• Throughout history, Allah provided holy books to guide humanity, including:
  • The Suhuf of Ibrahim.
  • The Tawrat of Musa.
  • The Zabur of Dawud (David).
  • The Injil (Gospels) of Isa (Jesus).
• Allah chose Muhammad (peace be upon him) to receive revelations that formed the Qur’an, which was recorded to prevent alteration, eliminating the need for further prophets.
• The Qur’an is regarded as the direct, unaltered word of Allah, providing comprehensive guidance for humanity to succeed in the test for the afterlife.
• Prophets are categorized as:
  • Rasul: Messengers who receive divine revelations to share universally.
  • Nabi: Prophets who receive revelations relevant to their immediate communities.
• Risalah is a fundamental aspect of Islamic belief, forming one of the six articles of faith for Sunni Muslims and one of the five roots for Shi’a Muslims.
• All prophets are equally significant as they delivered the same divine message.
• The role of prophets includes:
  • Acting as intermediaries between Allah and humanity by conveying His message.
  • Exemplifying the application of this message through their lives, guided by Allah.
  • Leading their communities to live according to Allah’s will.
• Prophets were sent to correct humanity when they strayed, misunderstood, or altered Allah’s message, guiding them back to the correct path.

The Role and Significance of Prophet Adam

Prophet Adam

• Adam was uniquely created by Allah and granted authority over the earth, as stated in the Qur’an (2:30): “I am indeed going to appoint a vicegerent on the earth.”

Allah formed Adam from clay and breathed life into him (Qur’an 38:71-72).

• As the first human to communicate with Allah, Adam is considered the first Muslim and prophet.
• Allah endowed Adam with knowledge, teaching him the names of all things, along with language, communication skills, and the ability to reason, evaluate, and make choices.
• Allah commanded angels and jinn to bow to Adam, signifying his importance.
• Adam lived with his wife, Hawwa (Eve), in a paradise garden for companionship.
• The Qur’an mentions that Allah had all of Adam’s descendants bear witness to His lordship before their creation.
• The story of Adam in the Qur’an is pivotal to understanding human destiny.
• Allah permitted Adam and Hawwa to enjoy the garden’s bounties but forbade them from eating from a specific tree.
• Iblis tempted them to eat the forbidden fruit, leading to their disobedience and awareness of their nakedness, which they covered.
• As a consequence, Allah banished them to Earth but forgave them after they sought mercy.
• On Earth, Adam received divine guidance to teach others about Allah.
• With angelic assistance, Adam constructed the Ka’aba as the first place of worship after arriving on Earth.
• Adam and Hawwa had many children, notably Qabeel (Cain) and Habeel (Abel), whose conflict, with Qabeel killing Habeel, highlighted humanity’s capacity for evil.
• Upon his death, Adam appointed his son Seth as his successor, though his descendants later dispersed.

The Role and Significance of Prophet Ibrahim

Prophet Ibrahim

• Ibrahim (Abraham) is revered for his unwavering obedience to Allah, as noted in the Qur’an (16:120): “Abraham was truly an example: devoutly obedient to God and true in faith.”
• Known as a Hanif and Khalil (friend of Allah), he is considered the father of the Arabs and all prophets.
• Ibrahim, along with his son Isma’il, built the Ka’aba, the most sacred site in Islam, under Allah’s command.
• Ibrahim established the Hajj pilgrimage and its associated rituals.
• His life serves as a model for Muslims on living righteously.

The Life of Ibrahim

• Ibrahim’s steadfast loyalty to Allah is evident in his actions.
• Married to Sarah, who was barren, Ibrahim took Hajar as a second wife, who bore his son Isma’il, whom he deeply loved.
• In a divine test, Ibrahim dreamt he was to sacrifice Isma’il. Both agreed to comply, but Allah provided a ram to sacrifice instead, as they passed the test.
• Allah instructed Ibrahim to leave Hajar and Isma’il in a barren valley. Despite hardships, their faith led to Allah providing a well when they ran out of water.
• In gratitude, Ibrahim and Isma’il built or rebuilt the Ka’aba.
• Isma’il succeeded Ibrahim as a prophet, leading the first community in Makkah.

The Role and Significance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

• Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final prophet of Islam, known as the ‘Seal of the Prophets’ (Qur’an 33:40).
• His revelations, recorded in the Qur’an, are considered the precise and unaltered word of Allah.
• His prophethood is affirmed in the Shahada, where Muslims declare him as Allah’s messenger.
• Muhammad’s life serves as a guide for Muslims, portraying him as the ideal human, husband, and leader. Many emulate him through extra prayers, simple living, and charity.
• Born in 570 CE, Muhammad faced early hardships, losing his father before birth and his mother at age six.
• He worked as a shepherd for his grandfather and later as a merchant for his uncle.
• By age 40, married to Khadijah with children, he was a successful and respected businessman.
• In 610 CE, at age 40, Muhammad was called to prophethood while meditating in a cave on Mount Hira, where the angel Jibril delivered Allah’s message, commanding him to “Recite!” despite his initial inability to read.
• After the revelation, shaken, he confided in Khadijah.
• Over the next three years, Muhammad continued receiving revelations during periods of meditation.

The Life of Muhammad (PBUH)

• Allah instructed Muhammad to preach Islam first to his family and friends, then to the people of Makkah, emphasizing monotheism.
• Makkah’s people had strayed from Allah’s path, engaging in immoral practices like cheating, gambling, prostitution, and idol worship, and had altered or lost earlier revelations.
• Muhammad challenged these practices, facing persecution from Makkah’s leaders.
• Facing threats, he migrated to Madinah (the Hijrah) in 622 CE, where he became the spiritual and political leader, establishing the first Islamic community.
• After numerous battles, he successfully converted Makkah to Islam by 630 CE.
• Muhammad passed away in 632 CE.

The Impact of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Today

As an Individual

• Muslims view Muhammad as the perfect example of devotion to Allah.
• They strive to adopt his qualities, including responsibility, determination, patience, courage, honesty, trustworthiness, and self-discipline.
• His humility, care, and faith in Allah during challenges inspire Muslims across all societal levels.

As a Leader

• Muhammad is regarded as an exceptional political and religious leader, seamlessly blending both roles.
• He established a community that followed his religious, social, and military leadership.
• Ten thousand men fought for him in Makkah, and the Islamic Empire expanded across southern Europe, northern Africa, and Asia in his name.

• Today, approximately 3 billion Muslims honor his name daily, and his life is studied globally.
• His leadership inspires Muslim political and religious leaders.

As a Family Man

• Muhammad is seen as the ideal family man, following the example of prophets like Adam, Noah, Lut, Jacob, and Ibrahim.
• The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of family, with Muhammad stating, “The best of you is he who is best to his family” (Hadith).
• He maintained a strong family unit, loving and caring for his wife Khadijah, her extended family, and his subsequent wives, treating them justly and performing household duties.
• He educated his four daughters, arranged good marriages for them, and was a devoted grandfather.
• Despite losing his sons, his faith sustained him, and he remained a loving father.
• Muslims draw on his example to guide their family interactions.

As a Teacher

• Muhammad is considered the greatest teacher due to his words and actions.
• He lived Islam fully, serving as a model for others to follow.
• He taught with clarity and authority, making learning accessible.
• Despite facing rejection, hatred, and violence in Makkah for thirteen years, his patience and method led to significant societal changes.
• His early teachings emphasized monotheism and judgment based on behavior, with later revelations detailing Muslim conduct.
• His Sunnah, recorded in the Hadith and Sira, remains a source of Islamic law (Shariah).
• Muhammad’s influence as a teacher continues to shape Islamic thought and practice worldwide.