Question: How many kinds of divine Prophets are there?
Answer [by 'Abdu'l-Baha]: There are three kinds of divine Prophets. One kind
are the universal Manifestations, which are even as the sun. Through Their
advent the world of existence is renewed, a new cycle is inaugurated, a new
religion is revealed, souls are quickened to a new life, and East and West are
flooded with light. These Souls are the universal Manifestations of God and
have been sent forth to the entire world and the generality of mankind.
Another kind of Prophets are followers and promulgators, not
leaders and law-givers, but they are nonetheless the recipients of the hidden
inspirations of God. Yet another kind are Prophets Whose prophethood has been
limited to a particular locality. But the universal Manifestations are
all-encompassing: They are like the root, and all others are as the branches;
they are like the sun, and all others are as the moon and the stars.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk, New resources available at Online Baha’i Reference
Library of the Baha’i World Center)
