The Finality of Prophethood in Islam
The belief in the finality of prophethood, or Khatam an-Nabiyyin, is a core tenet of Islamic faith, enshrined in the Quran and unanimously accepted by Islamic scholars across generations. This principle establishes Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the last prophet, thereby safeguarding the religion from alterations, new revelations, or claims of additional prophetic figures. This section explores the significance of the finality of prophethood in Islam and evaluates how this principle addresses the claims made by the "Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light" (ARPL) regarding their leader, Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem.
Quranic Basis for the Finality of Prophethood
The Concept of Khatam an-Nabiyyin
The Quran explicitly establishes the finality of Muhammad's (PBUH) prophethood in the following verse:
مُحَمًدًا مَا كَانَ أَبَائِكُمُ مُنِ رَجُلاً وَلَكَنَ رَسُولًا لَكُمُ وَخِاتَّمًا النُبُيَنُ
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.”
📔 Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40)The Completeness of Islam as Established by the Final Revelation
The finality of prophethood in Islam is closely linked to the completeness of the religion. The Quran states:
هَذِا اليّوِمّ أكَمَلّتَ دِينكُإَمَهبّزَكمِالِكَم
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
📔 Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:3)Prophetic Warnings Against False Claimants to Prophethood
The Prophet's Explicit Warning About Finality and False Prophets
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself warned the Ummah against false prophets and claimants who would arise after him. In a famous Hadith, he stated:
لّبَوِّلهموّلهَمكانَّنأنأكمنَفَلنَلوّلنِلفَرَتوب
“The Hour will not be established until there appear thirty impostors, liars, each one of them claiming to be a messenger of Allah.”
📔 Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3609Scholarly Consensus on the Finality of Prophethood
Historical and Scholarly Agreement on Khatam an-Nabiyyin
The doctrine of finality has been universally accepted by Islamic scholars throughout history. Scholars from all major Islamic schools of thought agree on the meaning of Khatam an-Nabiyyin as the end of prophethood. This consensus underscores the importance of following the teachings of the last prophet, without expecting any additional divine messengers or quasi-prophetic figures.
Conclusion: Upholding the Doctrine of Finality to Preserve Islamic Integrity
The doctrine of finality in Islam serves as a cornerstone of faith, ensuring that no new revelations or figures with prophetic authority will emerge after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This principle safeguards the unity, completeness, and authenticity of Islam, providing a clear boundary against claims of new divine guidance or additions to the faith.
The "Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light" (ARPL), by promoting Aba Al-Sadiq Abdullah Hashem as a unique spiritual authority, risks undermining this critical doctrine. Their claims introduce ambiguities that may confuse followers and create division within the Muslim community. The lack of adherence to scholarly consensus and the absence of prophetic markers associated with the Mahdi further question the validity of ARPL's assertions.