The Religion of Islam was conveyed by thousands of prophets and each prophet brought certain aspects of the deen starting with Adam and completed with Muhammad. The divine purpose is to maintain an unbroken sequence of people representing Gods’ will on Earth.

Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith: Volume 9, Book 89, Number 329
Narrated Jabir Ibn Samura:

I heard the Prophet saying, “There will be twelve commanders (Amir).”He then said a sentence which I did not hear. My father said, the Prophet added, “All of them will be from Quraish.”

Sahih Muslim:  Book 20, Hadith 4481
Narrated Jabir Ibn Samura:

The Prophet (S) said: “The matter (life) will not end, until it is passed by twelve Caliphs.”He then whispered a sentence. I asked my father what the Prophet said. He said, the Prophet added: “All of them will be from Quraish.”