title
WHAT DOES THE HOLY QURAN SAY ABOUT FINALITY OF
PROPHETHOOD
The holy Quran and the holy Prophet's Ahadith (Traditions) eloquently prove
that prophethood ('nubuwwat' and 'risalat') came to an end with our Prophet
Muhammad (SAW). There are decisive verses to that effect. Being the last
Prophet
in the chain of prophethood no one ever shall now succeed him to that status or
dignity
"Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of
Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allah (SWT) is Aware of all things."
(Quran. AI-Ahzab 33:40). INTERPRETATION OF THE HOLY QURAN All the interpreters
of the Holy Quran agree on the meaning of 'Khatam-un-0Nabieen' that our Prophet
(SAW) was the last of all the prophets and none shall he exalted to the lofty
position of prophethood after him.
A. By Imam Hafiz Ibn-e-KhateerHis explanatory remarks on the above
verse are as follows: "This verse is conclusive of the precept that our Prophet
is the last prophet and that there shall be no `nabi' after him. When there
shall be no 'nabi' to follow him the ordainment of a `rasool' cannot arise by
logic of anteriority because the status of a `rasool' is more exclusive than
that of a `nabi'. Every `rasool' is a `nabi' but every `nabi' is not a
`rasool'.
There exists a continuous and unbroken chain of citations of Ahadith from a
large number of venerable `sahabah' or Companions of the Prophet (Allah be
pleased with them), that, there shall be no 'nabi' or `rasool' after Muhammad."
(Tafseer Ibn-e-Khateer, Vol.3)
B. By Imam QartabiImam Qartabi comments on the quoted verse as
follows: "Said Iben-e-Atiya that the words (Khatam-un-Nabieen) according to the
learned men of the Ummah of the present and the past indicate perfect
comprehensiveness and signify, in consonance with the Quranic injunction, that
there shall be no Prophet after Muhammad (SAW)."
C. Hujjat ul Islam Imam Ghazali Hujjat ul Islam, Imam Ghazali
explains the said verse in these words: "No doubt the Ummah has unanimously
understood from this word (Khatam-un-Nabieen) and its circumstantial reference
to mean non-existence of a `nabi' or `rasool' ever after Muhammad (SAW) and
that
(this word calls for) no reservation or tacit interpretation in it; hence its
dissident is certainly the one who rejects (ummah's) unanimity." (Al Iqtisad
fil Etiqad, p.123)
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