Yasa‘ (Elisha), Zakariya (Zachariya), Yahya (John) and Isa (Jesus), and their leader, Muhammad sg. Several scholars of Tafsir also listed Dhul-Kifl among the Prophets.

Allah’s statement,

iand Messengers We have not mentioned to you,}

means, “there are other Prophets whom We did not mention to you in the Qur’an.’

The Virtue of Musa

Allah said,

iand to Musa Allah spoke directly.}

This is an honor to Musa, and this is why he is called the Kalim, he whom Allah spoke to directly. Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr bin Marduwyah recorded that ‘Abdul-Jabbar bin ‘Abdullah said, “A man came to Abu Bakr bin ‘Ayyash and said, 1 heard a man recite (this Ayah this way):

" and to Allah, Musa spoke directly."

Abu Bakr said, ‘Only a disbeliever would recite it like this.’ Al-A*mash recited it with Yahya bin Withab, who recited it with Abu ‘Abdur-Rahman As-Sulami who recited it with ‘Ali bin Abi Talib who recited with the Messenger of Allah sg,

iand to Musa Allah spoke directly .}’"

Abu Bakr bin Abi Ayyash was so angry with the man who recited the Ayah differently, because he altered its words and meanings. That person was from the group of Mu'tazilah who denied that Allah spoke to Musa or that He speaks to any of His creation. We were told that some of the Mu'tazilah once recited the Ayah that way, so one teacher present said to him, “O son of a stinking woman! What would you do concerning Allah’s statement,

4 And when Musa came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord spoke to him,} [7:143]?”

The Shaykh meant that the later Ayah cannot be altered or changed.

The Reason Behind Sending the Prophets is to Establish the Proof

Allah said,

4 . Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning,}

meaning, the Prophets bring good news to those who obey Allah and practice the good things that please Him. They also warn against His punishment and torment for those who defy His commandments. Allah said next,

4in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the Messengers. And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.}

Allah sent down His Books and sent His Messengers with good news and warnings. He explained what He likes and is pleased with and what He dislikes and is displeased with. This way, no one will have an excuse with Allah. Allah said in other Ayat,

4And if We had destroyed them with a torment before this, they would surely have said: " Our Lord! If only You had sent us a Messenger, we should certainly have followed Your Ayat, before we were humiliated and disgraced."} and.

4And if (We had) not (sent you to the people of Makkah) in case a calamity should seize them for (t he deeds) that their hands have sent forth.}

It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Ibn Mas'Qd said that the Messenger of Allah said,

aNo one is more jealous than Allah. Tltis is why He prohibited all types of sin committed in public or secret. No one likes praise more than Allah, and this is why He has praised Himself. No one likes to give excuse more than Allah, and this is why He sent the Prophets as bearers of good news and as warners.*

In another narration, the Prophet ^ said,

aAnd this is why He sent His Messengers and revealed His Books, n