What is Prophethood in Islam?

The Merciful and Loving God not only created human beings, but also arranged for their guidance through appointing Prophets throughout the ages from among the human beings. God revealed His will to the Prophets, peace be upon them all, and commissioned them to deliver that Message. In every known nation one or more Prophets were appointed. All the prophets of God were men of good character and high honor. Their honesty and truthfulness, their intelligence and integrity were beyond doubt.
The appointment of these Prophets from God is a clear manifestation of a strong link between Heaven and Earth, between God and man. The purpose of Prophethood is to confirm what mankind already knows or can know, and to teach them what they do not or cannot know by their own means. Such as: why we are created? What will happen to us after death? Is there any life after death? Are we accountable for our actions? Similarly questions about God, Angels, paradise, and hell cannot be answered without revelations from the Creator and Knower of the unseen. It is also to help man to find the Right Path, and to do what is right and shun what is wrong. Prophethood is an eloquent expression of God's love for human beings and His will to guide them to the right way of belief and behavior. He provides true guidance to mankind, and then holds them responsible for their deeds. He gave them warnings through His prophets about the consequences of their wrongful deeds, and the good news of rewards for their good deeds.
The Source of Prophethood and the appointment of all the prophets is One and the Same: it is the One and Only God (Allah). The Prophet's aim is to serve God, to acquaint human beings with God and His Divine teachings, to establish truth and goodness, to help mankind realize the true purpose of their existence and to help them in living their lives in a purposeful way. It is on this basis that the Muslims make no distinction among any of the Prophets and accept their teachings as consistent and complementary to each other.