Khatme Nabuwwat
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Khatme Nabuwwat "ختم النبوه" or finality of Prophet-hood is an islamic belief that Prophethood has come to an end after Muhammad.
Muslims believe that the line of prophets sent by God came to end with the advent of Muhammad, who received the final revelation in the form of Quran.
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[edit] Origins of the term and concept
The term Khatme Nabuwwat (Khatm = End and Nabuwwat = Prophethood) is derived from the Quranic phrase Khatamun Nabiyyeen (Seal of Prophets) in verse 40 of chapter Al-Ahzaab. [1]
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the seal of the Prophets (Khatamun Nabiyyeen) and Allah has full knowledge of all things.
[edit] Interpretations by different scholars
Most commonly held view about the phrase Seal of Prophets is that "seal" means finality and end. [2] [3]
Some scholars have translated and interpreted the word Seal in terms of honour and superiority. Most scholars although accept that both translations are correct.
[edit] Sufi interpretations
Maulana Room in his famous Mathnawi writes [4],
He has been raised to the station of Khatam by the grace of God. There can never be his like before him or after. When a master excels all others in his art, don’t you use the word ‘khatam’ to convey the idea that he has excelled all others in his domain?
Ibn Arabi also followed the same line of reasoning in his futoohat. [5] He has even argued that possibility of a subordinate prophet is open according to the verse 33:40.
[edit] Non-Sufi interpretations
A majority of Salafi and Sunni scholars have adhered to the view that khatam means last [6]. Ibn Kathir in his commentary states [7].
Hence this verse is a clear proof of the fact that no prophet will come after Muhammad(PBUH) and when it is said that no prophet will come after him it is a foregone conclusion that no messenger will succeed him either.
Muhammed Qasim Nanotwi, the famous founder of Deoband seminary seems to conform to the sufi idea of finality [8]. He writes,
According to the layman, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings on him, being Khatam is supposed to have appeared after all the other prophets. But men of understanding and the wise know it very well that being the first or the last, chronologically, does not carry any weight. How could, therefore, the words of the Holy Quran 'But he is the messenger of Allah and the Seal of Prophets (33.40)' mean to glorify him? But I know very well that none from among the Muslims would be prepared to agree with the common men.
Despite the more philosophical stance taken by Nanutuwi, all the Deoband scholars have take a more simplitic view of this concept. The Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam has criticised the Deoband school of denying the finality of Prophethood on the basis of the writings of their leader.[9]
[edit] Controversies
The concept of the finality of Prophethood of Muhammad has caused controversy in recent times. The Ahmadiyya movement hold Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to be a Prophet subordinate to Muhammad. Ahmed claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi in 1889 and founded a movement in Qadian, India. As a result of his claims a violent reaction was created in the India subcontinent. The Salafi and Sunni scholars vehemently opposed him and in subsequent years a movement for the "protection of Khatme Nabuwwat" was founded [10]. This movement, at times violent [11] , is still very active in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries where Ahmadiyya adherents are present.
[edit] References
- ^ [1]Translations of the Qur'an, Chapter 33: AL-AHZAB (THE CLANS, THE COALITION,THE COMBINED FORCES)
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ Mathnawi, vol. VI, p.8, 1917 ed.
- ^ Futuhat-e-Makkiyyah vol. 2, p. 3
- ^ http://www.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/books/finality_of_prophethood/fop6.htm
- ^ Tafsir Ibne Kathir, Vol. 3, pp. 493-494
- ^ Tahzeer-ul-Naas by Qasim Nanutwi, pg 3
- ^ [4]White and Black, Facts of Deobandi-ism. A rejoinder to a series of booklets entitled "Johannesburg to Brailley" By Allamah Kaukab Noorani Okarvi Translated by S.G. Khawajah. Published by Maulana Okarvi Academy Al A'lami, First edition 1991 - South Africa
- ^ [5]Majlise Tahaffuze Khatme Nabuwwat
- ^ [6]
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