stones said to him: 'Thou art a true prophet.'

We must also believe that one night he was transported from Mecca to
Jerusalem, and from thence to heaven, where he saw both paradise and
hell, conversed with the Most High and returned to Mecca before
morning. After him no other prophet will come, for he is the seal of
the prophets."

The number of prophets sent by God to make known His will varies according
to the Tradition which records it. About two hundred thousand is the usual
number stated. Twenty-five are mentioned by name in the Quran, of whom six
are distinguished by special titles. Adam, Sufi Ullah, the chosen of God;
Noah, Nabi Ullah, the prophet of God; Abraham, Khalil Ullah, the friend of
God; Moses, Kalim Ullah, the speaker with God; Jesus, Ruh Ullah, the spirit
of God; Muhammad, Rasul Ullah, the messenger of God. These are called the
Anbiya-ulul-'Azm (possessors of purpose) because they were the heads of
their respective dispensations, and because they will be permitted by God
to intercede in the day of judgment for their followers. They are the
greatest and most exalted of the prophets.[139]

There are degrees of rank amongst the prophets, for "Some of the Apostles
have We endowed more highly than others. Those to whom God hath spoken, He
hath raised to the loftiest grade, and to Jesus, the Son of Mary We gave
{151} manifest signs, and We strengthened him with the Holy Spirit." (Sura
ii. 254). The Anbiya-ulul-'Azm are ranked in the following order: Noah,
Jesus, Moses, Abraham and as the chief of all, Muhammad, of whom it is
said: "He is the Apostle of God and the seal of the prophets." (Sura
xxxiii. 40).

A Tradition, as usual, supports his position. "I am the chief of the sons
of men." "Adam and all beside him will be ranged under my flag in the
judgment day."[140] It is said that the law given by Moses was harsh and
severe; that by Christ was mild and gracious; but that the law given by
Muhammad is perfect, for it combines both the quality of strictness and
that of graciousness; according to the Tradition: "I always laugh and by
laughing kill."[141] Each prophet is said to have been sent to his own
tribe, but Muhammad was sent for all men. A Tradition is adduced to support
this statement: "I was raised up for all men whether white or black, other
prophets were not except for their own tribe." The Quran also states: "We
have sent thee (Muhammad) for all men."

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