Communication with supernatural beings

This aspect of the spiritual or religious life is often through means of intermediaries. An individual may feel called to speak for some supernatural force or God, as with the Old Testament prophets, or be commissioned to speak, as with oracles and shamans, these latter sometimes producing intelligible messages, sometimes mysterious or unintelligible. In Islam, nubuwah is the continuous communication of God with humanity through a chain of message-bearers, from Adam to Muhammad, all communicating God's desire that man should surrender to his will. Each of these is related to his predecessor although many have specific messages as well. Muhammad, as the last in the line, has all the qualities of those who precede him and receives the revealed truth of God in its perfect form.

There are common links among all messengers: all are chosen by God rather than choosing or wanting the task; they lead exemplary lives themselves with unity of purpose allowing nothing else in their lives to share in God's power; the message is accepted by some but rejected by others (who prefer duality and polytheism), who may physically harm them; not only is the joy of salvation held out to those who accept the message, but those refusing the message are warned of the punishment awaiting evildoers; the obedience of followers towards God and towards his prophet are not distinguishable, so that a community of believers based on the revelation of God may be set up.