Names of the Prophets of the Children of Israel
God Almighty has sent numerous prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) throughout history, with the primary purpose of guiding humanity towards the Oneness of God, urging them to abandon polytheism, engage in righteous deeds, and avoid immoral behaviors. Among the multitude of prophets sent to various nations, the Children of Israel were notably favored, receiving a significant number of them. The following prophets are mentioned in the Holy Quran:
- Joseph (peace be upon him).
- Job (peace be upon him).
- Dhul-Kifl (peace be upon him).
- Jonah (peace be upon him).
- Moses (peace be upon him).
- Aaron (peace be upon him).
- Elijah (peace be upon him).
- Elisha (peace be upon him).
- David (peace be upon him).
- Solomon (peace be upon him).
- Zachariah (peace be upon him).
- John the Baptist (peace be upon him).
- Jesus (peace be upon him).
The Reason for the Numerous Prophets Sent to the Children of Israel
Allah, the Exalted, has stated that He preferred the Children of Israel above the nations of their time, as indicated in the Quran: “O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed upon you and fulfill My covenant; I will fulfill your covenant, and Me alone should you fear.” In light of this, God sent many messengers to them, as the Children of Israel were among the most obstinate and arrogant of people.
The prevalence of corruption, obstinacy, and disobedience among the Children of Israel necessitated continual reform. A corrupt society requires persistent efforts from those who guide them from darkness into light. This was the mission undertaken by the prophets (peace be upon them), who faced significant psychological and physical harm from their own people; many were met with denial, opposition, and even death.
The Origin of the Name ‘Children of Israel’
The term ‘Israel’ refers to the Prophet Jacob (peace be upon him), and consequently, his descendants are known as the Children of Israel. This designation serves as a reminder from God, advocating them to emulate their father by adhering to the truth. Hence, ‘Israel’ is synonymous with Jacob (peace be upon him).
Evidence of this can be found in the words of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): when a group of Jews approached the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he asked them, “Do you know that ‘Israel’ is Jacob?” They affirmed, and the Prophet declared, “O Allah, bear witness.” Ibn Abbas further explained that ‘Israel’ means “the servant of Allah.”
The Lessons from the Repeated Stories of the Prophets Addressed to the Children of Israel
Many prophets (peace be upon them) were sent to the Children of Israel, and their stories are recounted in various places within the Quran. The frequency of these stories can be attributed to the considerable number of prophets they received and the lengthy period of their existence, during which they displayed traits of denial, arrogance, treachery, and betrayal—except for those whom God guided.
These narratives serve as lessons for the followers of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and were meant to provide comfort to his heart. Assuredly, he faced considerable challenges from his own community. Thus, God consoled His Messenger by sharing the experiences of those prophets who preceded him, strengthening and reassuring his heart.