Evidential Incidents Supporting the Finality of Prophethood

Authored by: Muḥammad Afẓal Muḥammadī, Madrasah Taʿlīm al-Qur’ān wa al-Ḥadīth, Hyderabad

✿ Introduction:​

The belief that Muḥammad Rasūlullāh ﷺ is the Seal of the Prophets (Khātam al-Nabiyyīn) is explicitly established through Qur’ānic and authentic ḥadīth texts. For a Muslim, these divine sources are entirely sufficient. However, it is Allah’s immense mercy that He has also provided incidental and historical proofs for this belief, as a means of completing the argument (iḥkām al-ḥujjah).
As the Qur'an states:
لِّيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ وَيَحْيَىٰ مَنْ حَيَّ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ
(Surah al-Anfāl: 42)
"So that he who perishes [does so] after clear proof, and he who lives [does so] after clear proof."

This article highlights various historical and situational evidences that continue to affirm the finality of Prophethood until this day.

❖ Protection of Sharīʿah Since the Time of the Prophet ﷺ​

Before Muḥammad ﷺ, each prophet handed over the responsibility of implementing divine law to their respective nations. However, over time, deviations crept into those divine laws, which necessitated the arrival of new prophets to restore truth.
In contrast, the Sharīʿah of Muḥammad ﷺ was revealed for all times, and Allah guaranteed its preservation:
"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder (Qur’an), and indeed, We will be its guardian."
(Surah al-Ḥijr: 9)

This divine protection is visible even today:
✔ The Qur'an remains unchanged.
✔ Prophetic traditions are preserved.
✔ The mechanisms of preservation are evident throughout history.

❖ Role of the Righteous Caliphs (Khulafā’ al-Rāshidīn)​

Each Prophet had supporters, but no supporters were like the Caliphs of Muḥammad ﷺ in terms of dedication to preserving Islam.

• Under Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه, the Qur'an was compiled in one volume.
• Under ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه, the Qur'an was standardized in the Quraish dialect, accepted globally.
• Efforts to protect the zakāh system and to crush apostasy and false claimants to Prophethood (e.g., Musaylimah) were pivotal in protecting the Sharīʿah.
• Preservation of ḥadīth was taken seriously by ʿUmar رضي الله عنه and others, laying a foundation for Islamic scholarship.

❖ The Role of Mujaddidīn (Religious Revivers)​

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Indeed, Allah will raise for this Ummah at the end of every century someone who will renew its religion."
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4291 – Authentic)

• Scholars such as ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, Imām al-Shāfiʿī, and others were revivers (mujaddidīn) who revitalized the teachings of Islam.
• The continued emergence of these personalities across centuries is evidence of divine protection of the faith.
  

❖ The Victorious Group (Ṭā’ifah Manṣūrah)​

The Prophet ﷺ stated:
"A group from my Ummah will always remain upon the truth. They will not be harmed by those who oppose them or abandon them until Allah’s decree (the Hour) arrives."
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 7320, Saḥīḥ Muslim 1920)

• Imām Nawawī said: This is a clear miracle of Prophethood, for this group has existed from the Prophet’s time until now.
• Imām Aḥmad and other scholars identified this group as the Ahl al-Ḥadīth—those who uphold authentic teachings.

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❖ Perpetual Practice (ʿAmalī Tawātur)​

• All Islamic practices (ṣalāh, zakāh, fasting, ḥajj, etc.) have been preserved and practiced in every generation.
• Never in history was a fundamental religious ritual entirely abandoned—showing the continuous living practice of the Prophet’s Sharīʿah.

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❖ Qur'an in Physical and Memorized Form​

• The ʿUthmānī script was universally accepted and remains intact.
• Memorization of the Qur’an across generations, with exact words and sequence, is unique to Islam.
• The hearts of the believers serve as an impenetrable fortress of divine protection.
  

❖ The Role of Ḥadīth Scholars (Muḥaddithīn)​

• The Muḥaddithīn preserved the legacy of the Prophet ﷺ with extreme scrutiny.
• They developed rigorous sciences of ḥadīth authentication, distinguishing truth from fabrication.
• This meticulousness remains unparalleled in any religious tradition.
• Their work forms a shield against all distortions and lies about the Prophet ﷺ.

❖ Jawāmiʿ al-Kalim – Comprehensive Speech of the Prophet ﷺ​

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"I have been sent with comprehensive speech."
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 8013, Saḥīḥ Muslim 523)

• His brief words contained profound wisdom applicable for all times.
• Despite rapid societal change, scholars continue to extract legal rulings from the same foundational texts.
• This proves that no new Sharīʿah is needed; Islam is complete.

❖ Claimants of Prophethood – A Sign of Finality​

Qāḍī ʿAlī ibn ʿAlī al-Dimashqī said:
"After Allah declared the finality of Prophethood, it is impossible for anyone to falsely claim Prophethood and not be exposed."

From Musaylimah to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, all such imposters were revealed as frauds and met disgraceful ends.
Their failures serve as a living testimony to the truth and finality of Muḥammad ﷺ’s Prophethood.

❖ A Complete Code of Life​

Islam, through Muḥammad ﷺ, has provided:

• Solutions for both individual and societal life.
• Balance between material pursuits and spiritual duties.
• Guidance for family, economic, social, and moral conduct.

There is no deficiency in this system. Thus, there is no need for any new Sharīʿah after him.

❖ Jesus (ʿĪsā عليه السلام) and Mahdī's Return​

Their coming is not for changing the Sharīʿah, but for its implementation—thus reinforcing the finality of Muḥammad ﷺ's Prophethood.

❖ Conclusion:​

All of the above are clear, observable, historical proofs that:

• The message of Muḥammad ﷺ is preserved.
• His Prophethood is final.
• The Ummah will never be left without guidance.
• No other human, since the time of Āminah, has matched the perfection of Muḥammad ﷺ in speech, action, and character.