PROPHETS AS HUMAN BEINGS THROUGH HARDSHIP

One of the fundamental pillars of the Islamic understanding of prophethood is that prophets were, first and foremost, human beings. They were not divine entities; they were people who walked the earth, felt pain, and faced the same biological and emotional realities we do. Their "humanness" is precisely what makes them perfect role models. By observing how they navigated life's trials, we learn how to live our faith in a practical and grounded way.

However, beyond their roles as religious leaders, I want to reflect on their identities as individuals. As human beings, we face many difficulties in life and carry emotional and mental burdens. This was also true for prophets. When we observe their lives, we see that they ate, drank, felt sadness, experienced fear, faced loneliness, and struggled. They are not distant or unreachable figures; rather they are souls who experienced the deepest hardships of human existence. But do we truly reflect on this aspect of their lives?

The Pain of Rejection and Loneliness

One of the greatest challenges of prophethood must have been the feeling of loneliness and rejection by society. An event from the life of Prophet Muhammad is especially moving in this regard for me. In the early years of his prophethood, he faced severe hardship, and over time the hostility against him intensified. When he went to the city of Taif and stayed there for about ten days, he conveyed God’s message together with Zayd (r.a.). However, instead of acceptance, he was mocked and stoned by the townspeople until his shoes filled with blood.

Prophet Noah faced rejection not only from his people but also from his own family. He preached monotheism for many years, yet they denied and ridiculed him, including his own son (The Qur’an 11:42-43). Similarly, Prophet Joseph was betrayed by his brothers out of jealousy, thrown into a well, and separated from his father for many years. Much of his early life was spent in hardship, including slavery and imprisonment (The Qur’an 12:15, 12:19-20, 12:36).

Even Prophet Jesus faced rejection despite the clear signs he brought. Many denied his message, and some even plotted against him, while only a small group of disciples remained faithful (The Qur’an 3:52-54). These examples remind us that even the most righteous individuals were not spared from isolation and opposition.

Exile and the Loss of Home

Migration is another common experience in the lives of many prophets. Because of the message they conveyed, they were often persecuted by their own people. Prophet Abraham was cast into a fire by his community and ultimately forced to leave his homeland in search of a place where he could worship freely (The Qur’an 21:68-71).

Prophet Moses also had to flee Egypt out of fear for his life (The Qur’an 28:21), and later led his people out of oppression under Pharaoh. Likewise, Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims were forced to migrate from Mecca to Medina due to severe persecution. Leaving one’s home, family, and security behind is one of the most difficult human experiences, and many prophets endured this painful reality.

The Trial of Loss and Illness

Prophets were tested not only through opposition but also through personal trials. Prophet Abraham longed for a child for many years, and when he was finally granted a son, he was tested with the command to sacrifice him. In the end, God replaced the sacrifice with a ram (The Qur’an 37:102-107).

Prophet Job endured severe illness and the loss of his family and wealth, yet he remained patient and steadfast (The Qur’an 21:83-84). Prophet Jonah experienced deep distress after leaving his people and found himself in the darkness of the sea, where he turned to God in sincere repentance (The Qur’an 21:87). Prophet Zechariah, despite his old age, prayed for a child and was granted one as a mercy from God (The Qur’an 19:2-10).

The life of Prophet Muhammad was also marked by personal loss from the very beginning. His father passed away before he was born, and he lost his mother and grandfather at a young age. Later in life, he experienced the loss of his children; all of them passed away during his lifetime except for Fatima.

Human Emotions: Fear and Vulnerability

Prophets, like all human beings, experienced a full range of emotions, including fear and vulnerability.

When God commanded Moses to confront Pharaoh (the most powerful tyrant of the time) he openly admitted his fear: "'Our Lord, indeed we fear that he will hasten [punishment] against us or that he will transgress'" (The Qur’an 20:45). He was also afraid when he fled Egypt (The Qur’an 28:21).

When Prophet Muhammad first received revelation, he was deeply shaken and overwhelmed (The Qur’an 96:1-5; see also 74:1-2). Prophet Abraham, too, felt fear when the guests he had welcomed did not eat the food he offered (The Qur’an 11:69-70).

Patience and Trust in God

Despite all these difficulties, the response of the prophets was always patience and trust in God. They continued their mission regardless of the challenges they faced, relying on God and showing complete submission. The Qur’an frequently emphasizes this attitude:

“So be patient, as the messengers of firm resolve were patient” (The Qur’an 46:35).

“Indeed, God is with the patient” (The Qur’an 2:153).

“And whoever puts their trust in God, He is sufficient for them” (The Qur’an 65:3).

The perseverance of the prophets serves as a guide for how we, as human beings, can respond to hardship. Reflecting on their experiences and relating them to our own lives allows us to feel closer to them, even though we have never seen them. Their lives remind us that struggle, loss, fear, and patience are all part of the human condition, and that faith gives meaning, resilience, and hope through it all.