Seal of the prophets

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Seal of the Prophets (ar. خاتم اﻟﻨﺒﻴﻴﻦ Khatam-an-Nabiyyin) is a title given to Muhammad by a verse in the Qur'an 33:40. Muslims traditionally interpret this verse as meaning that Muhammad was the last prophet.

Contents 1 History of the concept in traditional Islam 2 Hadith 3 Views of other religions and sects 3.1 Manichaeism 3.2 Jainism 3.3 Ahmadiyya 3.4 Bahá'í Faith 3.5 Sufism 4 External links

[edit] History of the concept in traditional Islam

The main Qur'anic reference to this phrase comes from the chapter (surah) titled Al Ahzab; "The Confederates" or "The Allies". In this chapter, God answers criticism of Muhammad's marriage to Zaynab, who was divorced from Zaid, his adopted son. Since the Qur'an already distinguished between adopted and natural children, God, in response to the accusations, said:

"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of God and the Seal of the prophets. And God is ever Knower of all things." - Qur'an: "The Allies", verse 40.

While the primary focus of this narrative is to answer accusations that his marriage to Zaynab was immoral according to Arabic custom, (cf. note on adoption) this phrase is nonetheless taken as being especially significant. Much has been made over the years of the fact that the term "Khatam" meaning seal, or ornament is used in the Qur'an, and not the related "Khatim", which is more commonly used to mean final or last. Some Muslims argue that this choice of wording implies that Muhammad was not merely the last prophet, but also that no other prophets have or could appear without his "seal of approval" or the like.^{[citation needed]}

According to Welch, Muslim interpretation of Khatam-an-Nabiyyin as the "last and greatest of the prophets", is most likely based on a later interpretation.^[1]

While Muhammad was the last prophet born, Jesus will be the last prophet to live and preach. Traditionally, Jesus is believed to return shortly before the end of the world. He will preach Islam to the Jews and Christians. No prophet will come after him.

[edit] Hadith

Sunnis claims to quote the Hadith of Umar and prophecy as proof of Muhammad's being the last prophet, while both Shi'a and Sunni quote the Hadith of position.

[edit] Views of other religions and sects

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[edit] Manichaeism

Before Muhammad, the term was used in Manichaeism, a Persian faith whose founder Mani claimed to be the Seal of the prophets and the Last Prophet.

[edit] Jainism

Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, also claimed to be the last prophet in a series of 24 Tirthankars.

[edit] Ahmadiyya

In recent history, the interpretation of the term “seal of the prophets” has been a cause of much contention between the traditional Islam and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The differences arose due to differences in the definition and usage of the terms “seal” and “prophet”. However both mainstream muslims and Ahmadis believe in the elevation of Muhammad above all other prophets and all mankind. They also agree that the Sharia (Islamic Law) is the final Shareeya as well Koran is the final Holy book and Islam the final religion sent to earth by Allah. The differences arise as almost all mainstream Muslims consider that prophethood ended with Muhammad while Ahmadis maintain that new prophets can come, however they cannot bring a new Shareeya, and their teachings cannot supersede the teachings of Muhammad. The role of these new prophets is hence, reformatory within Islam and not to introduce a new religion to the world.

[edit] Bahá'í Faith

The Bahá'í Faith regards Muhammad as the seal of the prophets, but does not interpret this term as meaning that no further messengers from God are possible. In particular, Bahá'ís regard the end-times prophecies of Islam (and other faiths) as being symbolic, and see the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh as symbolically fulfilling these prophetic expectations. The latter of these is the founder of the Bahá'í religion, which considers Islamic law to have been superseded by its own. These interpretive and legal differences have caused the Bahá'ís to be seen as heretics and apostates by many Muslims.

[edit] Sufism

The end-times prophecies of Islam point to a mahdi and those of Christianity to a messiah. That Muhammad calls himself the Seal of the prophets deals with the fact that any true prophet who arose would know of Muhammad's mission and bring out his true status and identity. The case of Uwais al-Qarni who was given Muhammed's mantle after his death in in 632 is because this was given to him by Elijah as his successor. It is because Elijah is the Seal of the prophets that Muhammad called himself the "last prophet" and other things to illustrate that he wore the Mantle of Prophecy: he was carrying out God's will as one having been "instructed" by Gabriel who also instructed Zacharias and Mary. Distinct from these, Muhammad's mission dealt with the fact that the Qur'an is at the same time the Curse of God upon Israel, and the Blessing of God upon Ishmael as Bani-Israel (or the "New Israel"). The arrival of the Messiah at the end can be better understood if one realizes that the Messiah will have his messenger who is "much more than a prophet", as Jesus Christ called him. This was John the Baptist's status as the 'friend of the Bridegroom'. He was the Messenger of Jehovah of hosts, as is written about in Malachi 2:7: "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Jehovah of hosts." In the Sufic philosophy it is as Muhammad once said in comparing external and internal struggle; to wit, "The ink of the Learned is holier than the blood of the martyr".

[edit] External links