Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
16. The Companions of the Prophet
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name of prophets. It was with great enthusiasm that
they included days for the remembrance of various
prophets in their calendar: But it was only ancient
prophets whom they revered in this manner. As for
prophets of their own day, they made them objects
of ridicule and scorn.
The Jews disbelieved in the Prophet Jesus, even
though they believed in Moses. Despite their
veneration for Jesus, the Christians denied the
Prophet Muhammad. Even the Quraysh of Makkah
prided themselves on being heirs of Abraham; but
when the heir to Abraham’s prophetic legacy came
among them, they attacked him and expelled him
from the land.
Why was there this discrepancy between people’s
treatment of ancient prophets on the one hand, and
contemporary prophets on the other? The reason for
it was that ancient prophets were supported by the
might of historical tradition. They become an
essential part of a people’s national heritage. People
of later generations look back at prophets of old as
upon sacred heroes—forgers of their national
identity. Clearly, few will resist faith when there is
