Messenger

A person sent by Allah to communicate his guidance to people.

A prophet entrusted with a revealed scripture to communicate to people.

Surah 33:40 describes Muhammad as ‘the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets’, also translated as ‘the Seal of the Prophets’. The two titles connect his responsibility to communicate Allah’s message with his place at the end of the prophetic tradition. His authority comes from Allah: Muslims honour and follow Muhammad, but worship Allah alone.

Link the wider passage to his authority: Surah 33:36 teaches obedience, while 33:45–46 describes his responsibilities as a messenger.

Distinguish the source of revelation from how it is communicated: Muslims believe the Qur’an is Allah’s own word, even though it is conveyed to people through a messenger.

Use Surah 34:46–50 to support an explanation, rather than simply giving a reference: connect reflection, the messenger’s motives, truth and divine guidance.

A person chosen by Allah to convey divine guidance to others.

A person chosen by Allah to convey His guidance to people.

A person chosen by Allah to communicate divine guidance to people.

A person sent by Allah with his message to guide a community; Isa was sent to the Children of Israel.

A person sent by Allah to communicate his message to people.

Calling the Qur’an ‘direct revelation’ describes whose words it contains. It does not mean there can be no messenger involved in communicating those words. The distinction is between Allah as the source of the message and the means by which people receive it.

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Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A · 1RA0

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Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B · 1RB0