Why is it important that Prophets eat food and they are not immortal?
The importance of Prophets eating food and not being immortal is addressed in the Qur'an and further elaborated in tafsir literature. The Qur'an states, We gave them not bodies that would not eat food, nor were they immortals
21:8. This verse emphasizes that the Prophets were indeed human beings who engaged in normal human activities, including eating and drinking.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that the fact that Prophets eat food and live as regular humans serves to highlight their humanity and relatability. They had physical bodies similar to everyone else, which allowed them to fulfill their duties as messengers of God while living among their people. The disbelievers often questioned why a messenger of God would partake in daily human activities such as eating and walking in the markets, suggesting that they ought to be divine or angelic beings. However, their human nature did not detract from their prophethood; rather, it emphasized their role as guides for humanity (Ibn Kathir).
Moreover, the statement that Prophets are not immortal is significant as it reinforces the idea that they, like all human beings, are subject to life and death. This aspect is important because it underscores that the essence of their message is not tied to their physical existence but rather to the divine guidance they provide. Their mortality allows for the continuity of their teachings through their communities and the generations that follow.
In summary, the Prophets' humanity, demonstrated through their need for food and their mortality, serves to make their messages more accessible and relatable to people, reinforcing the belief that they were chosen by God to guide humanity while sharing in the same physical existence as ordinary human beings.
Sources
-
21:8 · Al-Anbiyaa
21:8 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَمَا جَعَلْنَٰهُمْ جَسَدًۭا لَّا يَأْكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ خَٰلِدِينَ
We gave them not bodies that would not eat food, nor were they immortals.
-
Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 21:8
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 21:8
Allah addresses those who deny that messengers were sent as humans by stating: "We did not send before you any messenger except men to whom We revealed." This means all previous messengers were human beings, not angels. They were from among mankind, as confirmed in other verses, such as in Surah Yusuf: "And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed, from among the people of the towns." Likewise, in Surah Al-Ahqaf, Allah says: "Say, I am not something original among the messengers." There were communities that rejected this truth and said: "Are humans to guide us?" (Surah At-Taghabun). To counter this skepticism, Allah advises: "So ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know," meaning to consult knowledgeable followers of earlier scriptures—the Jews, the Christians, and others—about the nature of the messengers. They can confirm messengers were human, not angels. This confirms a great favor of Allah: He sent messengers from among their own people, making communication and reception of the message accessible and trustworthy. Regarding the statement: "And We did not make them bodies that eat no food," the meaning is the opposite; indeed, the messengers had physical bodies and ate food as normal humans do. This is supported by Allah's words in Surah Al-Furqan: "And We sent not before you any messengers except that they ate food and walked in the markets." They lived human lives, went about their affairs including commerce and trade, and this did not detract from their prophethood. The disbelievers accused these prophets: "What is the matter with this messenger who eats food and walks in the markets? Why is not an angel sent down to him as a warner, or treasure given to him, or a garden from which he eats?" Yet their eating and living as humans was not a deficiency. As to "And they were not immortal," this clarifies that the messengers lived and then died. Immortality was not granted to any human before you, as Allah says in Surah Al-Anbiya: "And We did not make any person before you immortal." Their unique characteristic was the revelation they received from Allah. Angels would convey God's commands to them concerning His creation, instructing them on what to command and forbid. Finally, regarding "Then We fulfilled for them the promise," this refers to Allah's promise to destroy the wrongdoers that opposed the messengers. Allah rightly fulfilled His promise; He destroyed the disbelievers and saved the prophets and their faithful followers. Allah says: "So We saved them and whoever We willed and destroyed the transgressors," meaning those who rejected the messengers' message excessively and denied their truth.
Answers are generated and checked automatically; they may still be incomplete or imperfect. For religious rulings, consult a qualified scholar.
Ask your own question →