Final answer:
Muhammad is considered worthy of being a prophet due to his moral character, integrity, and receipt of divine revelation. His role as the final prophet in a line of monotheistic prophets and his leadership in establishing an Islamic community further solidify his status. Military conquests are part of his history but not a qualification for his prophethood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Muhammad's Qualifications for Prophethood
According to Islamic belief, Muhammad is considered worthy of being a prophet primarily due to his moral character, integrity, and the receipt of divine revelation. In Islam, performing miracles is not the sole qualification for prophethood, and although Muhammad was known to perform miracles per Islamic tradition, they are not mentioned as a core reason for his prophethood. His lineage as a descendant of Abraham is significant since he is regarded as the last prophet in a long line of monotheistic prophets, but this alone does not make someone suitable for prophethood. Muhammad's military conquests helped to spread Islam but are not considered a qualifying attribute for his role as a prophet.
Muhammad's message revolved around the belief in one God and the establishment of a community, or ummah, under his leadership that also emphasized mutual defense. His prophethood is established by his life's transformation and his dedication to his divine mission, which included leaving behind a comfortable life as a merchant to preach the message revealed to him from God through Angel Gabriel. After relocating to Medina, he saw massive growth in his following, and through his leadership and negotiation, he united most Arab tribes under Islam by the time of his passing.
The followers of Ali, known as the Shia, are characterized by their special regard for Muhammad's family, especially his son-in-law Ali, rather than the military or economic achievements that were also part of Muhammad's lifetime.