Were Buddha and Ramachandra Prophets? The Argument from “Li-Kulli Qawmin Had”

Question

God the Exalted, at various times and eras, sent prophets for the guidance of the whole earth, which is proven by “li-kulli qawmin had” (“for every people there is a guide”); and it has also come in hadith that one hundred and twenty-four thousand prophets came for the guidance of mankind, all of whom were Muslims and adorned with the teaching of Islam, and all of them taught the oneness of God.

Answer

Faith in those prophets ﵈ whose names occur in the texts of revelation (nusus) is obligatory specifically, by name (‘ala al-ta‘yin); whereas acknowledging the prophethood of any person whose name is not in the nusus is neither obligatory nor correct. However, to speak ill of anyone without proof is not correct either.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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