Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet

The Concept of Prophethood

By Susan L. Douglass and Aiyub Palmer

Overview:

According to Islamic teachings, the concept of prophethood is based on the idea of a relationship between humankind and God over the span of human history. According to monotheistic teachings, God did not merely send words as guidance for humankind, but sent human beings who lived everyday lives, who were part of their societies, and whom people grew to love deeply. It is said that Muhammad was the living Qur’an, as he and other prophets in the monotheistic tradition were models for human behavior described in the scriptures. This lesson addresses the concept of prophethood in Islam.

Objectives:

Students should be able to

• list some of the qualities that made Muhammad successful and revered as a person.
  
  
• describe the roles Muhammad played in the community
  
  
• use the description and roles of Muhammad to develop a concept of prophethood in Islam.
  
  
• relate prophethood to the Qur’an as a primary source document.
  
  

Procedure:

1. Organize students into groups and have them read Student Handout 1: Quotes on the Characteristics of Prophethood, which summarizes the comments of experts in the film.
   
   
2. Next, using Student Handout 2: Roles and Personal Qualities of Prophethood, have each group make a cluster diagram to organize the personal qualities and leadership or social roles of Muhammad that were mentioned in the film.
   
   
3. Then have students use their film notes to find an example from Muhammad’s life that demonstrates the personal quality or role that the film attributed to Muhammad.
   
   
4. Have the class meet to evaluate and discuss the concept of prophethood based on their cluster diagrams.
   
   
5. Students then use Student Handout 3: Concept of Prophethood in the Qur’an to find the functions and qualities mentioned in the film in a primary source document (the Qur'an). Students write the verse number next to the quality or function in their cluster diagram that exemplifies that quality or function.
   
   
6. Discuss the spiritual and social values attached to the concept of prophethood in Islam, and compare it to other monotheistic traditions’ prophets and religious figures, as well as other examples of historical leaders.
   
   

   EXTENSION: Students answer the following questions in discussion groups, and then present to the class:

   • Which personal qualities and roles that Muhammad embodied could be emulated by any Muslim after his death? Which ones were unique to prophets and could not be emulated?
     
     
   • How are desirable personal qualities projected through the social, spiritual, and political roles he played in the society of his time (i.e. judge—mercy; businessman—honesty; political leader – steadfastness; father and husband – protection)?