The Distinction of Prophets Over Humans

Question

Why did God choose prophets over other humans? Why did He not select other individuals? Why were the Children of Israel favored over all other nations? Isn't this a form of discrimination?

Answer 1

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Regarding the selection of prophets, it was God's will to convey His messages and laws to people through individuals who could communicate with them, establish a just state, implement His laws, and maintain fairness among people. The choice fell upon them due to their qualities and because God knew of their commitment to the covenants made with them. This is reflected in the opening of the Du'a al-Nudbah: "All praise is due to God, Lord of the worlds, and may God send blessings upon our master Muhammad, His Prophet, and his family. O God, we praise You for what has been decreed for Your chosen ones whom You selected for Yourself and Your religion, as You chose for them the abundant blessings that are everlasting and will not diminish or fade away, after You conditioned them to renounce the pleasures of this lowly world and its adornments. They accepted this condition, and You knew of their fidelity to it, so You accepted them and brought them closer, and You granted them the lofty remembrance and clear praise, and You sent down Your angels upon them, honored them with Your revelation, enriched them with Your knowledge, and made them a means to You and a pathway to Your pleasure." As for the preference of the Children of Israel, it is a relative preference, not an absolute one, and its meaning can be illustrated by the following narration: "In the interpretation of Imam al-Askari: God Almighty said: 'O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I bestowed upon you'—that I sent Moses and Aaron to your ancestors with prophethood, guiding them to the prophethood of Muhammad, the will of Ali, and the imamate of his pure descendants. We took from you covenants and pledges that if you fulfilled them, you would be kings in My gardens, deserving of My honors and pleasure. 'And I preferred you over the worlds'—meaning I did this for your ancestors, favoring them in religion and worldly matters. As for their preference in religion, it was for accepting the prophethood of Muhammad and the guardianship of Ali and his pure descendants. As for their preference in worldly matters, it was because I shaded them with clouds, sent down manna and quails upon them, provided them with sweet water from a rock, parted the sea for them, saving them, and drowning their enemies, Pharaoh and his people. I favored them over the people of their time who opposed their ways and deviated from their path. Then God Almighty said to them: If I did this for your ancestors in that time for accepting the guardianship of Muhammad and his family, then surely I will increase your favor in this time if you fulfill the covenants and pledges I have taken from you." May you remain under God's care.