The Characteristics of the steadfast prophets (Ulu`l-azm) in the Quran with respect to setting example

SUMMARY The subject of prophethood constitutes one of the four main subjects of the Quran. As a human being, the Prophets themselves are the object of Divine Revelation. Besides their peculiar characterictics in relation to their being prophets, they set examples to the whole mankind, and have characteristics the whole mankind should live in accordance with them in their daily lives. The holy Quran attaches great importance on these characteristics which are to be taken as example by people. In this treatise we tried to determine the characteristics of such prophets who are given the name of the steadfast prophets (ulu'1-azm) in the Quran and presented as an example for humankind like, Noah, Abraham, Moses Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them) This treatise consists in three chapters; in the first chapter we dealt with such basic informations as institution of prophethood, necessity of that institution and the steadfast prophets in the Quran. Besides all these information we also studied the concept of being an example, and the importance attached on taking the prophets as example, and dwelled upon the frame of their characteristics that were to be taken as example. In the second chapter we determined distinguishing characteristics of the steadfast prophets in relation to their being an example in a few main headings. In the third chapter, we study the characteriscits of the above mentioned prophets peculiar to themselves, especially those that are stressed upon. Both in the second and third chapters these characteristics peculiar to the prophets with respect to their relation with God and the people are classified in two main headings. It has finally been concluded that those five prophets who had certain effects on humankind and still continue to effect them and will continue were, in fact, on the same way and had same targets, and been manifast that those prophets brought very important messages in the name of solidarity, dialogue and love between different civilizations and cultures. XIV