Regarding Finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh) (1)

Question:
I appreciate and enjoy your programmes very much. I respect you for your open-mindedness.

Question 1:
My question is about the concept of an ‘Ummati Nabi’ and an ‘(independant) Nabi’, as without clarifying it the arguments of both sides cannot proceed in the right direction. In view of the following writings of the founder of Ahmadiyya community, is it true to say that the only difference on the issue of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat between Ahmadis and the others is in the definition of ‘Nabi’?

He says: “Since according to the definition, Nabi and Rasul in Islam means one who brings a complete new Shariah, or abrogates some of the ordinances in the previous Shariah, and since the Anbiya are not known as followers of a previous Nabi and instead attain relationship with God without the intermediation of any other Nabi, therefore, let everyone be aware lest the same meaning is applied here also. I have no Book other than the Holy Qur’an and have no Rasul other than the Holy Prophet (SAW). And I believe that the Holy Prophet is Khatam-ul-Anbiya (Seal of the Prophets) and Holy Qur’an is Khatam-ul-Kutub (Final religious Book)” (Al-Hakam, vol 3, p29)

Regarding his claim of ‘Ummati Nabi’ he writes: “By Nabuwwat I only mean frequency of converse with God, which is granted as a consequence of following the Holy Prophet (SAW). You also believe in converse with God; so the disagreement is on the terminology only. What you call converse with God, I call its frequency as Nabuwwat in accordance with the commandment of God…” (Haqeeqat-ul-Wahi Ruhani Khazain vol22 p 503)

Question 2:
Is it correct to say that the Holy Prophet (SAW) called the Promised Reformer (Messiah) to be ‘Nabi-ullah Wa Imam-o-kum minkum’ i.e. he will be a Nabi and an Imam from among you (i.e. the Muslims). In other words the Holy Prophet called him an ‘Ummati Nabi’ (a Nabi as well as an Ummati)?

Question 3:
Is it also true that Surah Jumuah speaks of the Holy Prophet being raised in the ‘Ummiyyin’ as well as the ‘Aakhi-reen’ and the Holy Prophet explained it in answer to a question, by placing his hand on Salman Farsi: “If the faith were to go up to the Pleides, a man from these would surely find it.” (Sahih Bukhari). In other traditions he was called Imam Mahdi and Messiah. He was not to bring a new ordinance, but restore faith and serve Islam.

Response:
I think you have seen one episode on the issue as yet while two others are on their way. Some of the questions you have asked have been addressed in those programs. While you admire my openness, I admire yours even more. May the Almighty guide all of us to the straight path! Ameen.

The question on the issue of Nabuwwat is not quite as much of ummati Nabi or non-ummati Nabi as it is of whether the one to come will have to be acknowledged by the believers as a part of their faith in Qur’an. If he was to be acknowledged and believed in by them, then where is that expectation mentioned in Qur’an? If on the other hand it hardly matters whether we acknowledge him or not then the question of him being a Nabi or not is a non-issue. My point is that there was either of the two possibilities: Qur’an presents a complete list of matters to be believed in or it doesn’t. If it does, then where is it written that we have to accept a newcomer as another Nabi, ummati or otherwise? If it is not written and one has to find such a mention from ahadith, then what does it mean when Qur’an says that “Today we have completed for you your religion …”?

As for the possibility of the coming of Jesus, alaihissalam, mentioned in ahadith, there could be a number of ways of understanding them. My inclination is that, as I mentioned in one of the episodes that hasn’t been shown as yet, that the mention of that possibility is metaphorical, and that they suggest that a Da’wah on the pattern of what Jesus had given to the Jews is going to get popular amongst Muslims in the period close to the end of this world. And Allah knows the best.

Once again, I must say that your openness to discuss your faith is admirable.

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