Why did so many prophets come from the Middle East, and why does the Holy Qur’an mainly name them?

God sent prophets to every people, and the Holy Qur’an says so explicitly. By name it mainly tells of the line that leads to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), because their stories cover every situation human beings can face.

First, the most important point. The Holy Qur’an is the only holy book that says explicitly that God sent prophets to all peoples. Other scriptures usually speak only of the reformers of their own people. This is exactly what shows that the Holy Qur’an addresses all of humanity. A Muslim can therefore tell someone in China or India that he believes in that person's prophets. This creates common ground for any conversation.

Why, then, are they not all named? The number of prophets is very large. Even the two dozen or so prophets the Holy Qur’an does name take up a large part of the book. A book that told of every prophet, with his people, his opponents and his story, could no longer be read. Besides, the history of many peoples and their prophets has not been preserved.

So one line had to be chosen. It can be compared to the main trunk of a tree. When you explain how human beings came to be, you do not describe every form of life, but the path that leads to humankind. In the same way, the Holy Qur’an tells of the line of prophets at whose end the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) came with the complete teaching. This line was especially preserved, both in history and in content.

There is a second reason. The situations described in the lives of these prophets are so varied that they cover every conceivable situation. Persecution, patience, temptation, family, rule, exile and victory. Whatever happened to other prophets in other places is reflected in them. That is why these examples are enough for all people.

This does not mean that other religions were worthless. They had their origin in God and fulfilled their purpose. Whoever sincerely follows an older path because he has never come to know Islam will not be treated unjustly by God.