Ishmael is looked upon as a prophet in the quran (Sura 19:55 ff.; 4:161; 6:86; 21:85; 34:48).
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YUSUFALI: Also mention in the Book (the story of) Isma’il: He was (strictly) true to what he promised, and he was a messenger (and) a prophet.
That being the case, Muhammad cannot be called the first and the only prophet to the Arabs. According to the quran, Abraham and Ishmael who built the Käaba were prophets to the Arabs long before the prophet Muhammad-who came only as a reformer and renewer of the religion of Abraham (Sura 74:2; 33:40).
But this fact goes against the teaching of the quran that God had not sent an admonisher to the Arabs before the prophet Muhammad (Sura 32:3; 34:44).
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YUSUFALI: Or do they say, “He has forged it”? Nay, it is the Truth from thy Lord, that thou mayest admonish a people to whom no warner has come before thee: in order that they may receive guidance.
Surah 34
43. When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, they say, “This is only a man who wishes to hinder you from the (worship) which your fathers practised.” And they say, “This is only a falsehood invented!” and the Unbelievers say of the Truth when it comes to them, “This is nothing but evident magic!”
44. But We had not given them Books which they could study, nor sent apostles to them before thee as Warners.
It is still arguable that the Arabs did not have any Books as they were with the Jews. But no warner?