We begin with the question: As per the Qur’an, what are the characters of a prophet? Which qualities are manifested most in the Final Messenger of Allah Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him and his progeny)?
The Qur’an mentions 25 prophets by name and describes some of them in detail, including Ibrahim (Abraham), Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary), Nuh (Noah), Musa (Moses), and the Prophet of Islam Muhammad.
The Qur’an also states that there are many prophets who have not been mentioned by name:
Certainly We have sent apostles before you. Of them are those We have recounted to you, and of them are those We have not recounted to you. An apostle may not bring any sign except by Allah’s permission. (40:78).
Prophecy, then, is a constant theme in the relationship between humankind and God. It is necessary because only through the Prophets and their Prophethood does God communicate with humans, and through them does He warn them of punishment and give them good tidings about the rewards that await them due to belief and good action.
Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and others are given the status of Prophets and are described through the major events in their life. Jesus son of Mary is born and must provide proof of his Prophethood as a newborn infant (19:30). Ibrahim must struggle with the command to sacrifice his son through ‘a manifest test’ (37:106). Musa escapes from the clutches of Firawn (the Pharaoh), only to find himself refuge after watering sheep (29:24). Yusuf (Joseph) is thrown in the prison but remembers Allah during his time there (12:33).
Throughout their lives the Prophets of the Qur’an constantly remember Allah swt and their are utterly God-conscious. They face doubt, fear, anger, and at times their lives are threatened but they never abandon the remembrance of God. That is their relationship with their Lord.
They are also infallible in performing their duty toward the creation of God. They never command anyone to commit a sin, to perform an evil act, to abandon the remembrance of Allah, or lead them to turn away from submission to God. They are perfect in both aspects of their divine duties.
After considering these characters present in the Prophets, we see that the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) is the most perfect and complete manifestation of Allah’s Mercy and the bearer of His final message.
God says to him:
“And indeed you possess a great character” (68:4) and “he is the truth from his Lord” (47:2).
The Final Messenger Muhammad is described in an elevated manner and all types of spiritual and psychological illness is kept away from him.
Allah says:
“Indeed Allah desires to repel all impurity from you” (33:33).
Keeping this Qur’anic description in mind, the literature or reports (from within the Islamic community) which portray the Prophet in a lesser light are not in line with Qur’anic teaching. Purported Hadith literature which berates the Prophet Muhammad and ascribes bizarre acts of foolishness to him, assigns him to the ranks of the lowly and uncouth, and attempts to turn attention away from his infallibility go against the kernel of the Qur’an.
“Say, ‘I am just a human being like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is the One God. So whoever expects to encounter his Lord —let him act righteously, and not associate anyone with the worship of his Lord.” (18:110).
A “human being just like you” but what type of human being is Muhammad? the most perfect, the most spotless, and without any blemish on his character or mind. While “it has been revealed to me” indicates his rank amongst the Prophets; it is not an ordinary human heart which can accept the revelation of God but the most knowledgeable and perfect human being.