Give Respect and Always Obedient to Your Parents.

                             

                                                                    

                                                                    By: M. A .Virk

    Unity, peace and obedience are essential in every family between children and their parents. In every religion it is very clearly states to respect and obey your parents.  In Islam, showing obedience to parents is the fastest way of earning blessings from them and from Allah. One of the ten commandments given by God to the Jews was: 

         “Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God gives thee.”

Obeying Parents is a direct commandment of Allah-

The word obey cannot be separated from the idea of honoring them. Honor your parents so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy life on earth.

Therefore, every Muslim must show goodness and mercy to his parents throughout their lives. The Qur’an says the only time a child should say no to his parents and disobey them is when they are asked to something that is not allowed by Allah including committing sins, lying and so on. If not, the children must show love and gratitude to their parents.

Being patient and tolerant with parents-

    Everyone makes mistakes, if parents do something bad that is against the religion or against the wish of their children, it becomes the responsibly of the child to have patience and tolerance. Instead of venting out in anger, children must take great care not to react wrongly to what their parents have said or done. It is a great sin to dishonor parents.

Always pray for their well being-

It is the duty of every Muslim to continue praying for their parents upon their death. Muslims should ask Allah to forgive their parents after their passing. Such prayer will be regarded as a continuous charity as the prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Salam) has informed us.

The Greater Right of the Mother-

In families, mothers are the most important as they traditionally spend most of their time taking care of their children. As a result, a child’s gratitude should be more towards their mother.

Must Know Your Duties-

When a child comes of age, it becomes their duty to provide for their parents at all cost if they are able to do so. Showing them kindness, compassion, gratitude, reverence and respect, praying for them and supporting them financially if they are in need are incumbent upon every Muslim who has one or both parents alive.

Allah sums this in the Holy Quran saying:

“And We have enjoined upon man (care) for his parents: His mother carried him, (increasing her) in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and your Parents; to Me is the final destination”. (Chapter 31:14)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Love & Respect for Parents ;

 Parents are the most respectful and important in child life and those who are obedient and dutiful to their parents Allah (SWT) blessed them on the earth and on the heaven as well.

What a Child can do for Parents?

Always Pray for them;

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ

 يَقُومُ الْحِسَابُ

“Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.”

اے ہمارے رب! مجھے اورمیرے ماں باپ کو اور ایمانداروں کو حساب قائم ہونے کے دن بخش دے

The following Hadith beautifully explains What a person can do for their parents if they are not alive.

A Hadith related to Ibn Majah and Malik on the authority of Abu Hurairah, “The rank of a person may by raised after his death. He asks; My Lord, how does this come about? He is then told; your child has prayed for your forgiveness.”

Must love and respect your Parents: 

Allah (SWT) says, “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of ”                  ( سورة الإسراء , Al-Isra, Chapter #17, Verse # 23)”

Honour.

The child is not supposed to abuse any of his/her parents. This requires a great attention because in our daily life, we ignore such small things which lead to disrespect our parents unconsciously,

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr: Allah’s Apostle said. “It is one of the greatest sins that a man should curse his parents.” It was asked (by the people), “O Allah’s Apostle! How does a man curse his parents?” The Prophet said, “‘The man abuses the father of another man and the latter abuses the father of the former and abuses his mother.” (Book #73, Hadith #4)

Must be good towards them specially when they become older:

Allah (SWT) says,” They ask you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al-Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarer, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well.”
( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #215)

Narrated ‘Abdullah: I asked the Prophet “Which deed is the dearest to Allah?” He replied, “To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times.” I asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To be good and dutiful to your parents” I again asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, ‘To participate in Jihad in Allah’s cause.” ‘Abdullah added, “I asked only that much and if I had asked more, the Prophet would have told me more.” (Book #10, Hadith #505)

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr: A man came to the Prophet asking his permission to take part in Jihad. The Prophet asked him, “Are your parents alive?” He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet said to him, “Then exert yourself in their service.” (Book #52, Hadith #248)

Must be grateful and always polite to them;

Allah (SWT) says,”And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination”.
( سورة لقمان , Luqman, Chapter #31, Verse #14)

Obey them in all aspects according to the Holy book Quran

Parents are to be obeyed in matters that are permitted in Islam.

Abdullah ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) told a person that one who awoke in the morning as obedient to his parents, according to the commandments of Almighty Allah, was like one who found two doors opened for him in Heaven. And he will find one door opened if any one of his parents was alive. But one who broke the day as disobedient to his parents defying the orders of Allah the Almighty, was like one who found the two doors opened for him in Hell. And he will find one door opened if any one of his parents was alive. The man asked the Prophet (PBUH), if one should be obedient to his parents even if they were insensible to him? The Prophet (PBUH), replied, “Yes, even if they are insensible ; yes, even if they are insensible; yes, even if they are insensible.”

Final Note: May Allah (SWT) show mercy on us and our parents and may HE make us worthy enough to serve our parents in the way HE has defined (amen), Being undutiful to parents is one of the greatest sins as it is clearly mentioned in the following Hadith,

Narrated Abu Bakra: Allah’s Apostle(PBUH)said, “Shall I inform you of the biggest of the great sins?” They said, “Yes, O Allah’s Apostle!” He said, “To join partners in worship with Allah, and to be undutiful to one’s parents. ” (Book #74, Hadith #290)

Think before its too Late;

 Where as the Holy Quran commands us to be obedient to the parents and to be serviceable to them, it also says:

“Your Lord knows best what is in your minds; if you are righteous, then surely, He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again.” (17:26)

God knows it quite well as to what is there in your hearts; if you are righteous, then you should know that God forgives those who turn to Him. The Companions of the Holy Prophet, sallallaho alaihi wa sallam, were also confronted with hardships, and for religious reasons their relations with their parents were strained. But of course, it is for you to try all you can to be good to them and to look after them as best lies in your power; you should not lose any opportunity to serve them. Your good intentions will bring you good rewards. If you have to get yourselves separated from them, because of your religion, that, of course, is a thing, that you cannot help. But you should always keep in mind that you have to try to be good to them; your intentions must always be very good. You should supplicate to God for them.

It is not only you who have been made to confront with this kind of situation. Hazrat Ibrahim, peace be upon him, had also to pass through the same circumstances. However, you should know that your duty to God comes first. You should give preference to Him and try to do your duty to your parents as well; you should also be praying for them – and you should be very sincere in whatever you do. Your intentions must always be good.(Malfoozat Vol. 10, pg. 131)

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Ahmadi Muslims Totally believe in Khatamun Nabiyyeen

    Non- Ahmadi Muslims believe that we Ahmadi Muslims don't believe in Word Khatam un Nabiyeen and we have establish a new religion in Islam. Before go in detail of these words Khatam un Nabiyeen I would like to explain the brief summary of what is Ahmadiyat means. What are Ahmadi Muslims believes.

What is Ahmadis Faith. First of all I would like to give brief  introduction of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and our faith. 

Our Faith

The five pillars of Islam constitute our Creed. The Revelation of God viz., the Quran which we are commanded to hold firmly on, that indeed we hold firmly on. God be pleased with Umar: Like him we have the words ‘sufficient unto us is the Book of God’ constantly on our lips. In case of conflict and disagreement between the Hadith and the Quran we follow Hazrat Ayesha (God be pleased with her) and choose the Quran, especially in the historical texts treated by all schools as above abrogation. And we believe that there is no deity, no one worthy of worship, but only Almighty Allah that our Master Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings of God be upon him), is His Rasul and Khatamal-Anbiya. And we believe that angels exist, that the resurrection of bodies after death is true, that the Day of Reckoning is also true, that Djanna and Gehenna are also true. We believe that every thing taught about these matters by the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet is true. We believe that he who seeks to subtract an iota from this or to add an iota to this – the Shariah of Islam and also he who makes light of the statutes and practices of Islam is devoid of belief, a denier of Islam. We counsel our Jamaat to put true and sincere faith in the Holy Kalima, La Illaha Ill-Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasul-Allah, to live and die by it, also to believe in all prophets and in all books, the truth of which is sanctioned by the Quran; to observe in letter and in spirit the Fasts, Prayers, Zakat and Pilgrimage and all prescriptions and prohibitions laid down by Almighty Allah and His Prophet. We counsel them in short that their belief should include all beliefs and all rules of conduct agreed upon unanimously by early Muslims, that is, all matters accepted as part of Islam by the consensus of Ahl-i-Sunna. There is no option. And we hold heaven and earth as witness that this is our creed and this is our faith (Ayyamal Sulh pg. 86-87)

We are Muslim. We believe in the One God without a partner and in the Kalima, La Illah Ill-Allah. We believe in the Book of God, the Quran, in His Messenger Muhammad (peace on him and God’s blessings) the Khatam Al-Anbiya. We believe in angels, the resurrection, hell and paradise. We observe the prescribed prayers and the fast. We turn to the Qibla for prayers and forbid ourselves what is forbidden by God and His Prophet and permit ourselves what is permitted. We add not a thing to the Sharia, nor subtract any thing from it. The Sharia is above change. Whatever has come down to us from the Holy Prophet (on whom peace and God’s blessings), all that we accept, whether we understand or not and whether we can unravel its secrets and real meaning or not. We are believers with the Grace of God, and strict monotheist Muslims. (Nur al-Haq I, pg. 5)

Allah the Almighty

I want to make it clear to Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Aryas, that I have no enemy. I love all men as a merciful mother loves her children. Nay more. I am enemy only of false beliefs, beliefs subversive of truth. To sympathise with all humans is my duty and to preach against falsehood, disloyalty to God, tyranny, evil conduct, injustice, immorality is my mission.

My motive for this height of sympathy is that I have discovered a gold mine, have had access to an unlimited supply of precious stones. In the mine I have found a bright and priceless jewel. So priceless that if I divide it between all of my fellow men, every one of them will become richer than the richest among them in gold and silver. What is this jewel? It is the true God. To reach Him is to know Him, to become really aware of Him, to have true faith in Him, to be united with Him in true love. To receive true blessings from Him in return. Having found such a priceless treasure it will be cruel on my part if I let not my fellow-men know about it. Could I let them go hungry while I have plenty. No, it will not be so, while I can help. My heart burns over their want and hunger. My soul becomes depressed over their dark and straitened existence. I want to see their homes filled with riches divine. I want to see them full with faith and truth. Full to capacity. (Arbain No. 1, pg. 2-3)

Secondly  God is a lovely treasure. Hold Him dear. He is your Help at every step. You are as nothing without Him. And nothing are your means and methods. (Kishti-i-Nuh, pg. 20)

Thirdly God is One and Unique and Unpartnered, in one and all His perfect attributes. Without any fault whatsoever.

He combines in His person al the most perfect attributes. He is the Manifestation of all Holy Powers, the Originator of all creatures, the Spring of all Graces, the Lord of rewards and punishments, the Disposer of all affairs. He is near though far, far though near. Above all things and everything, yet there is nothing below Him. He is the most hidden than everything yet there is nothing more evident than Him. He lives in His right, everything else by Him. Himself self subsistent, everything else subsists by Him. Everything holds He, nothing hold Him. Nothing came to create itself without Him. Nothing can now live by itself. He encompasses everything, though we know not how it happens to be so. He is the Essence of everything in heaven and earth. The essence of everything owes its brightness to His Hand, is a shadow of His Being. The nourisher of all worlds is He. (Lecture Lahore, pg. 5)

Holy Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)

What was this, do you know? This most wonderful thing which happened in the wilderness of Arabia? Spiritually dead millions became alive again in a matter of days; those without eyes began to see, those without speech began to speak the language of seers gifted with divine knowledge. This was a revolution which no eye had seen before nor had an ear heard of it before.

What was it, do you know? It was a miracle performed by the mighty prayers of a man who had dedicated his life to God. Prayers offered in the dead of night. These prayers shook the world. They wrought changes impossible for an unlettered person to bring about.

God! shower Thy blessings and send peace on this man! Bless not only him but also those who come after him and follow him! Remove their fears, their sorrows, their anxieties. And on this his Umma, shower Thy Bounties and Thy Blessings until the end of days. (Barkat-al Dua pg. 10-11).

Thousands and thousands of prayers and invocations of peace, mercies, and blessings, for the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa – on whom peace – through whom we found the Living God. (Nasim-i-Dawat, pg. 1)Thirdly  The true saviour whose offer of salvations (of the fruit of salvation, to be exact), is with us today and will be with us until doomsday, is the one who appeared in the land of Hijaz. His offer of salvation was for all mankind, of all times. (Dafi al-Bala ‘inside back cover’)

Fourthly We know it clearly from the Holy Quran that every prophet is a member of the Umma – the fold – of Muhammad (on whom be peace). Says the Holy Quran addressing the prophets: 

                                  You shall believe in him help him (3:82)

This means all prophets belong to the Umma – the fold – of the Holy Prophet (on whom be peace). (Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya V, appendix pg. 133)

Fifthly A man who exceeded all men in perfection, perfect as man and perfect as prophet, came into the world, endowed with the most perfect of graces. Through the Quickening and Gathering brought about by him came the First Resurrection. A dead world became charged with life. Who is he? He is the blessed prophet, Khatam al-Anbiya, Imam al-Asfiya, Khatam al-Mursalin, Fakhr al-Nabiyyin, Muhammad Mustafa (on whom be peace and blessings of God).

Beloved God! Reward this beloved prophet with Mercies and Favours with which no man from the beginning of time, has been rewarded by Thee. Had not this great prophet appeared in the world, we would have known nothing of the truth of the lesser prophets like Jonah, Job, Jesus son of Mary, Malachi, John, Zachariah, etc., etc. We would have had no proof. True, they were accepted and approved and honoured and loved by God. But we owe this to The Holy Prophet, that these other prophets came to be known as true prophets.“God! Accept our prayers for him, send him peace, bless him and his progeny and all his companions with Thy blessings.” (Itmam al-Hujja, pg. 28)

Sixthly In many places in the Holy Quran it is laid down – implicitly as well as explicitly – that the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace and the blessings of God, is the most perfect manifestation of Divinity; his speech is the speech of God, his advent the advent of God, his coming the coming of God. We have the verse, ‘Say, Truth has come and falsehood has gone, and falsehood had to go’. Truth here means the three – God Almighty, the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, on whom be peace and blessings of God…. You can see how God Almighty associates the Holy Prophet’s name with His Own and how the Holy Prophet’s advent becomes the advent of God. (peace on the Holy Prophet and God’s blessings). (Surma Chashm-i-Arya, pg. 229-38 foot note)

Seventhly I have always wondered and wondered how high must be the station of this Arabian Prophet Muhammad! Thousands of blessings and prayers of peace for him! Impossible it is to measure the height of his station. Impossible to have an idea of his purifying powers. Pity therefore that his greatness goes unrecognized still. The conception of the One God had all but disappeared from the face of this earth; the stalwart who established it again in human hearts is he. He loved God to the utmost. And he loved and sympathised with mankind equally, sacrificing his life for their sake. No wonder, God Who knew the secret of his heart raised him above Prophets and above all men who had gone before him or were to come after him. All his aspirations were fulfilled during his life.(Haqiqat al-Wahy pg. 115-116).

    Eaightly Only two lives are worthy of praise. One is the life of Our God, the Life Giver, the Life Sustainer, the Source of Graces and Favours. The other life is the life which enriches and favours and is God-like in its graces. This second kind of life – come, let me tell you – is the life of our Holy Prophet (on whom be peace and blessings of God). Heavenly signs at all times in history have borne witness to this life. They are here with us today.

    And remember, he, whose life does not enrich other people’s lives is dead, not living. I hold God as witness when I declare – and to declare anything false in His Name is rank depravity – that God has given me proof of enduring spiritual life – so full of beauty and power – of my revered master, the Chief of us all, Muhammad, on whom be peace. The proof is that by following in his footsteps and by devoting my love to him, I have seen heavenly sings descend upon me and fill my heart with the light of certainty of faith. (Tiryaq al-Qalub, pg. 6)

Ninthly Is there a prophet who lives still? Then he is our Holy Prophet (on whom be peace). Books have been written by renowned authors on the Life of the Holy Prophet that he – our Holy Prophet – continues to live is proved by mighty arguments. Arguments which have no equal in any other prophet’s life. Among the arguments is this, that a prophet who lives in one whose blessings and graces continue for ever. (Al Hakam 17 Feb., 1906, pg. 3)

Tenthly The life of Holy Prophet is a life of enduring worth. A mighty proof of this is that the graces of the graces of the Holy Prophet, his spiritual influence, lives for ever. Those who walk in his footsteps even today become quickened with life, – raised from their graves as it were. They receive the gift of a new spiritual life. (Aina Kamalat Islam pg. 221)

The Holy Quran

    The title Khatam al-Nabiyeen used for the Holy Prophet (on whom be peace and blessings of God) requires – the term in its own right requires – that the Book revealed to the Holy Prophet (on whom be peace and blessings) should be Khatam al-Kutub, it should be a book perfect in all dimensions. The Quran is full of such perfection. (Malfoozat vol. 3, pg. 36)

I was young and now I am old. There are people who would know and if they will, they will bear witness that I have had no concern with worldly affairs. My interests have centered in religion. Let me tell you that the Book called the Quran is most Holy, most full of spiritual wisdom…. The blessings and benefits we expect from a true faith, this book has come at last to confer on man. Through it man comes to inherit the Grace of God. Can it be that having found such a light we should turn again to darkness, having had eyes should choose to become blind again. (Sanatan Dharam, pg. 67)

Perfect and holy is the teachings of the Holy Quran which nourishes every branch of the human tree. The Holy Quran does not stress only one side of it. It teaches compassion and forgiveness when forgiveness is nearer wisdom. It prescribes punishment for the wrong-doer but such as is appropriate to the moment and the occasion. (Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya II, pg. 91-92)

God is our witness, He Who knows the innermost secrets of our hearts, that I am ready to accept the penalty of death, should any one be able to point to the slightest weakness in the teachings of the Holy Quran, it may be as slight as a minute fraction of a particle. Or should any one be able to point to an equally slight virtue of a book to which he subscribes, a virtue contrary to the teachings of the Quran on the same point, yet superior to it. (Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya III, pg. 268 foot note 2)

Of the great spiritual powers of the Holy Quran, one is that he who submits to it becomes gifted with the power to work miracles and do deeds out of the ordinary run. In such number, that the world will not think of contesting. (Chashma-i-M’arifat, pg. 4) 

Even a dot of the Holy Quran does not run the risk of any damage or alteration at the hands of collective assault of the ancestors and successors. It is such a strong, secure and solid stone that its strike will split apart and any one who strikes against it, will be annihilated. (Aina Kamalat-e-Islam Roohani Khazain Vol. 5, pg. 257 fn.)

Phrase Khatam un Nabiyeen. 

First of all this is to confirm that we all Ahmadi Muslims totally believe in Khatam-e-Nabuwwat and It is alleged that Ahmadis do not believe in the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to be Khatam un Nabiyeen. Therefore, this  misunderstanding should  be removed because Ahmadi Muslims completely believe in the Holy Prophet(saw) as Khatam un Nabiyeen.

The complete Ideology of Word Khatam un Nabiyeen  according Ahmadi Muslims are as under;

At the very outset I would like to state categorically that Ahmadis believe the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) to be Khatam un Nabiyeen – Seal of the Prophets, as has been stated in the Holy Quran and it is an awful fabrication against the Ahmadi Muslims that they do not believe in the doctrine of Khatam-E-Nabuwwat. The difference is only in interpretation of the title and not in the title itself.

The Promised Messiah and Mahdi, the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (peace be upon him) says:

    “I swear by the glory of God and His Majesty that I am of the faithful, a Muslim and I believe in Allah, the High, in His Books, and in His Messengers and in His Angels and in Life after death. And I believe that our Prophet Muhammad the Elect of God (peace of Allah be on him and His blessings) is the most eminent of the prophets and the Seal of Apostles.” (Hamamat ul Bushra, page 6)

The Promised Messiah a.s again says:

“The charge made against me and my Community that we do not believe the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him and His blessings) to be the Seal of Prophets is a big falsehood. The faith, the conviction, certitude and the utterness that characterize our belief in the Holy Prophet as the Seal of Prophets, are markedly absent in the belief of these people (those who level this charge at us).” (Al-Hakam, March 19, 1905)

Many Muslims believe that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on him) is the last prophet and that no prophet can come after him. I shall first state and examine the arguments that are given in support of this belief, then show that this is true only in a certain sense.

The Holy Quran says:

“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Apostle of Allah and Khatam un Nabiyeen–The Seal of the Prophets.” (33:41)

The real meaning of Khatam is a seal (see Tajul Aroos, Lisanul Arab, and Qamoos), and the phrase should be interpreted in the light of this meaning. Ibn Khaldun says it is wrong to interpret the word Khatam in this verse to mean the last or the end (see Muqaddama Vol. II, p. 54, Paris). 

He holds that the word Khatam denotes the consummation and completion of a thing, which he further explains by the words, authenticity, perfection and validity. When a seal is put to a letter it becomes authentic and complete. The seal may be put in the end or in the beginning. According to him, therefore, Khatam un Nabiyeen would mean the truest and the most perfect of prophets and not the last in point of time. It refers to his status and place among the prophets and not to the time of his advent.

Use of the word Khatam:

In one of his sayings the Holy Prophet(saw) calls his uncle, Hazrat Abbas(ra), Khatamul Muhajireen (see Kanzul Ommal, Vol. VI, p. 178). But it does not mean that Abbas was the last Muhajir (refugee) of the whole Muslim world.

Similarly, Hazrat Ali(ra) is called Khatamul Auliya (see Tafsir Safi under the Quranic verse 33:41).

Ibn Khaldun says this phrase is understood to mean that Ali was a perfect saint and not the last (see Muqaddama, Vol. II pp. 165-167).

An Arab poet, Hasan bin Wahab, called Abu Tamam (the compiler of Himasa) Khatamush-Shu’ara (see Wafiyatul A’ayan Li Ibn Khallikan, Vol. I, p. 123, Cairo). Obviously Abu Tamam was not the last poet. The word Khatam, therefore, used in such phrases means the best and not the last.

The context of a verse is a most important factor in determining its true meaning. If we look into the context of the words we are further assured of the same meaning.

The verse runs as follows: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of God and Khatam-un-Nabiyeen.” God is obviously refuting an objection, viz., Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on him) has no male issue. Elsewhere we read in the Quran: “Surely it is thy enemy and not thou who shall be childless and without posterity.” (108:4)

These words are said to have been revealed when Al-Aas Ibn Wayel called the Holy Prophet(saw) Abtar (having no children or posterity) on the death of his son Al-Qasim (see Jalaluddin’s Commentary under verse 108:4). As an answer to this taunt of the enemies, God declared in the verse under discussion that the line of his physical male descendants is no doubt cut off by the death of his sons but as Hazrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on him) is a Messenger of God, he possesses devoted followers who shall form a continuous and long line of spiritual descendants to keep his memory and name and teachings alive for ever and ever.

The followers of a prophet are often described as his spiritual children. The meaning of the word Khatam an Nabiyeen must fit with this context. To say that Hazrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on him) is the last of the prophets and there shall be no prophet after him does no credit to him. His enemies could at once add an insult by saying that Hazrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on be him) failed to produce a progeny in the spiritual sense of the word also and thus proved himself (God forbid) barren and abtar in every respect. According to the context, therefore, the Seal of the Prophets must mean that the spiritual descendants of Hazrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on be him) would be of no mean order. They would, God says, attain to great spiritual distinctions so must so that by following in his footsteps some of them would even become prophets.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on be him) is called here the Lord Privy Seal or the Lord Keeper of the great Divine Seal of Prophethood, which not only ratifies and authenticates the office of the previous prophets but also awards the distinctive mark of prophethood to those who make themselves worthy of it. (Haqeeqatul Wahy by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, p. 56).

We read in the Bible: “The Lord will make thee the head and not the tail; thou shalt be above only and thou not be beneath.” (Deuteronomy 28:13)  

To be the tail of a line, therefore, is no credit or distinction. Even if we take the phrase Khatam- Un- Nabiyeen to mean the last of the prophets; we must interpret it as meaning that he is the last in the sense that he has attained a degree of perfection beyond which it is impossible for anyone to go. He has exhausted all the degrees of perfection and none can ever excel or supersede him. He is the Head of the prophets and not the tail.

No New Code: 

He is the greatest not because he appeared last of all but because he has brought a law which is absolutely final and can never be replaced or excelled. Ibn Khaldun also mentions this meaning in his Muqaddama (Vol. II, p. 165, Paris). Ali Bin Muhammad Sultan Al-Qari (Mulla Ali Qari) interprets this phrase in the same sense. He says that it means that there will not come a prophet after Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on be him) who could cancel his law and who is not a follower of his (Mauzooat Kabeer, p.69).

Sheikh Mohyud Din Ibn Arabi says that the prophethood which brings law is finished with the advent of Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be on be him. (Fosoosul Hikam, p. 140)

Shah Waliullah Muhaddas of Delhi writes that Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on be him) was the last of the prophets in the sense that there will appear no one after him to promulgate a new law for the people. (Tafheemate Ilahiya, 53)

Syed Abdul Kadir Jeelani says: “The prophetic law is finished and completed with the Holy Prophet and he was called Khataman Nabiyyeen. (Al-Insanul Kamil, Ch. 36)

Maulana Abdul Haye of Lukhnow says: “It is not impossible that a new prophet may appear during or after the age of Muhammad but bringing of a new code of religion is an absolute impossibility.” (Dafi-ul-Wasawis fee asr ibn Abbas, p. 12)

The Traditions:

I shall now deal with Hadith (Traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on him) on this subject. The Holy Prophet(saw) said to Ali Ibn Abi Talibra:

“You are to me as Aaron was to Moses, except that *Laa Nabiyya Ba’adi”.

(Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Mishkat)

The last words are translated as: there is no prophet after me. On the basis of these words it is contended that if it were really possible for anyone to become a prophet, no one could have been more deserving than Hazrat Ali(ra), who was not only a near relation of but succeeded the Holy Prophet(saw) as the 4th Khalifa. The words were uttered when the Holy Prophet(saw) was going to Tabook and appointed Hazrat Ali(ra) as the Ameer at Medina after him. Hazrat Ali(ra) was desirous of participating in the battle and did not wish to stay behind. The Holy Prophet(saw), therefore, reminded Hazrat Ali(ra) of the importance of his work by referring to Hazrat Aaron(as) who was appointed Ameer of the Israelites when Mosesas went to Mount Sinai. Hazrat Aaron(as) was the brother of Hazrat Moses(as) and a prophet of God. Hazrat Ali(ra) was a cousin but not a prophet. The Holy Prophet(saw) could not be blunt but he must not be misunderstood in such matters. Therefore, he added that he was not leaving a prophet behind him. The word Ba’ad means behind. (see Lane’s Lexicon Book I, p. 225)

The context shows that the idea was to tell Alira that he was being left behind like Hazrat Aaron(as) but he was not a prophet. The words cannot refer to any remote future. They were used and meant for that particular occasion. The word Ba’ad is often used in this sense. In verse 7:149 of the Quran this word is translated by Pickhall as `after I had left you’. The word Ba’ad is also used in the sense of Ma’a, i.e., with. (Lane’s Lexicon Book I, p. 225) In this sense the sentence La Nabiyya Ba’adee would mean that there was no prophet with him.

It is curious to note that in the Shia traditions the words used are Laisa Ma’ee Nabiyyun, i.e., there is no prophet with me (Amalee). In other traditions the words reported are quite clear. The Holy Prophet(saw) added “except that thou art not a prophet”. (Tabaqati Kabeer, Vol. V., p. 15) There is another tradition which is very clear: “Dost thou not desire to be what Aaron was to Moses except that thou art not a prophet”. (Biharul Anwar, Kitabul Manaqib, Vol. 9, Iran) Taking the word Ba’ad to mean after, we can interpret the sentence in another way. If we go into the idiom of language we find that the words are not to be taken in their literal sense. There is another tradition where the Holy Prophet(saw) says: “When Chosroe dies there will be no Chosroe after him, and when Kaiser dies there will be no Kaiser after him.” (Bukhari, Vol. IV, p. 91, Egypt) This is explained in Faithful Bari, Vol. VI as follows: “No Chosroe will administer the affairs of State as well as this Chosroe has done.” Obviously it cannot mean that there will be no king after the Chosroe or Kaiser.

Muhyuddin Ibn Arabi interprets La Nabiyya Ba’adi by saying that there shall be no prophet who will cancel or go against the Islamic law of Hazrat Muhammad(saw). (Fotoohati Makkiya Vol. I, p. 569; Vol. II, pp. 3, 64, 417)

Imam Muhammad Tahir Gujrati also says the same thing. (Takmala Majmaul Bihar, p. 85) Imam Sha’arani also interprets these words in the same way. (Al-Yawaqeet Wal Jawahir, Vol. II, p. 22)

Nawab Siddique Hasan Khan states the same. (Iqtarabus Sa’a, p. 162)

Hazrat Ayeshara, whose position is well known, says: “Say he is the Seal of the Prophets but do not say that there is no prophet after him”. (Takmala Majmaul Bihar, p. 88) Imam Soyooti writes that Mogheera also expressed the same opinion. (Durri Mansoor) The other Hadith brought forward is:

Lau Kaana Ba’adi Nabiyyeen Lakaana Umaro.

                        “If there were a prophet after me, it would have been Umar.”

The word Ba’adi as stated earlier also means `with’, and there is nothing here which should confine its meaning to `after’. Therefore, the tradition should be translated as: “If there were a prophet with me it would have been Umar.” In another tradition, the Holy Prophet(saw) says: “If I were not raised it would have been you, O Umar.” (Mirqat, Vol. V, p. 539) Another saying is: “If I was not raised, Umar would have been raised among you.” (, p. 103) These traditions would only show that Umar(ra) had an aptitude for a prophet, like Hazrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on him) who brought the Islamic law. Therefore, the Hadith in question would mean that if a prophet were to bring a new law, it could have been Umar(ra). It cannot mean that there can be no prophet after Hazrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on him). In another tradition, the Holy Prophet(saw) clearly implies the opposite. He says: “If Ibrahim (his son) had lived, he would have been a Prophet.” (Ibn Maja, Vol. I, p. 237)

He could not say this if it were absolutely impossible for anyone to become a prophet. This shows clearly that the Holy Prophet was clear in mind as to the continuity of prophethood after him. Another tradition points to the same effect when he says: “Abu Bakr is best of men after me except a prophet should appear.” (Kanzul Ummal)

The next Hadith that is brought forward is: “I am Aqib and he is one after whom there is no prophet.” (Tirmidhi) The authenticity of this Hadith is very much questioned. Mulla Ali Qari, who is a recognized critic of Hadith, definitely declares that the last portion of this Hadith is spurious. He says it appears to be the interpretation put upon the word Aqib by some reporter. (Mirqat, Vol. V, p. 367)

The next Hadith in support of this belief is: “I am the last of the Prophets and you are the last of peoples.” (Muslim) The meaning of this is explained by another Hadith which runs as follows: “and my mosque is the last mosque.” (Muslim, Kitabul Haj Fazlis Salat, p. 531) It is clear that the Holy Prophet did not mean that there was to be no prophet after him, otherwise we shall have to conclude that he did not want the Muslims to build any other mosques. Obviously, what he means is that the religion brought by him is perfect and no one can cancel or modify it after him.

The use of the word Akhir (last) in this sense is quite common in the Arabic language. Imam Soyooti calls Ibn Taimiyya as the last of Mujtahideen (original thinkers and Jurists). (Al-Intibah Wan Nazir, Vol. III, p. 310, Hyderbad) An Arab poet uses the word Akhir (last) in the sense of perfect and unique, in Himasa, Babul Adab.

It is clear from the foregoing that it is not Ahmadies alone who are interpreting the expression Khatam un Nabiyeen (Seal of Prophets) in a manner allowing the appearance of a prophet after the Holy Prophet(saw), who does not bring any new Shariah (Law) and does not attain prophethood independently but through complete obedience to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on him). Even recognized Muslim saints of different countries, ages, and clines, and even the Holy Prophet himself, have understood the expression in the like manner.

The Ahmadiyya belief, beyond any shadow of doubt, is par excellence that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be on him) is Khatam un Nabiyeen, i.e., the Seal of the Prophets. In him the excellences of prophethood have reached their perfection and therefore, the door to receiving prophethood independently is closed since his appointment to this office. Henceforth, every kind of Grace is attainable only through serving him.

His advent, thus has not closed the stream of Divine Grace but its course has been channelized through his person which is now, so to say, the new Headwork. A prophet, henceforth, shall appear only through allegiance to him, by receiving light from his light and as his shadow and reflection, and not otherwise. Hence, “all prophethood except Muhammadan prophethood has ended. No law-giving prophet shall ever come, and a prophet without law may, but only such as is primarily a follower of the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him). I am both a follower and a Prophet.” (Tajalliyate Ilahiyya by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, pp. 24-25)

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