This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri's book Khatm-e-Nubuwwat.
The Belief in the Finality of Prophethood in the Light of Hadith
It is established through mutawatir hadiths that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the last Prophet and Messenger. No prophet can arise after him.
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him (774 AH), writes:
قد أخبر تعالى فى كتابه ورسوله فى السنة المتواترة عنه أنه لا نبي بعده، ليعلموا أن كل من ادعى هذا المقام بعده، فهو كذاب، أفاك، دجال، ضال، مضل .
Allah Almighty has explained in the Holy Quran and the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, has explained in mutawatir hadiths that there is no prophet after him. The purpose is to make us understand that anyone who claims prophethood after the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, is a liar, a fabricator, and an impostor; he is himself misguided and misguides others.
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 430/6)
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
كانت بنو إسرائيل تسوسهم الأنبياء، كلما هلك نبي خلفه نبي ، وإنه لا نبي بعدي، وسيكون خلفاء، فيكثرون .
“The governance of the Children of Israel was by prophets; when one prophet died, another prophet succeeded him. But listen, after me there is no prophet, but there will be caliphs, and they will be many.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3455, Sahih Muslim: 1842)
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إن مثلي ومثل الأنبياء من قبلي كمثل رجل بنى بيتا، فأحسنه وأجمله إلا موضع لبنة من زاوية، فجعل الناس يطوفون به ويعجبون له، ويقولون : هلا وضعت هذه اللبنة؟ قال : فأنا اللبنة، وأنا خاتم النبيين .
“Someone built a beautiful and magnificent house but left a corner empty without bricks. People would walk around the building, marvel at its excellence, and say why was this brick space left empty? This is the example of the palace of prophethood; I am the last brick, and the first bricks are the previous prophets. After me, the chain of prophethood is ended, and I am the Seal of the Prophets.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3535, Sahih Muslim: 2286/22)
◈ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
أنا موضع اللبنة، جئت فختمت الأنبياء عليهم السلام .
“I am the brick in the place; I have come and ended the chain of the sending of the prophets.”
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 2287
In one narration:
أنا موضع اللبنة، ختم بي الأنبياء .
“I am the brick in the place; the chain of the prophets has ended with me.”
Reference: (Musnad al-Tayalisi: 1894 with a chain as authentic as the sun’s clarity)
Hafiz Araqi, may Allah have mercy on him (806 AH), writes:
أما كونه ختم به النبيون فمعناه أن الله تعالى لا يبعث بعده .
“The meaning of the end of the chain of prophethood after the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, is that Allah Almighty will not send any prophet after him.”
Reference: (Tarh al-Tashreeb: 112/2)
Allama Ahmad Qastalani, may Allah have mercy on him (923 AH), writes:
من تشريف الله تعالى له صلى الله عليه وسلم ختم الأنبياء والمرسلين به، وإكمال الدين الحنيف له، وقد أخبر الله فى كتابه، ورسوله فى السنة المتواترة عنه، أنه لا نبي بعده، ليعلموا أن كل من ادعى هذا المقام بعده فهو كذاب أفاك دجال ضال مضل، ولو تحدق وتشعبد، وأتى بأنواع السحر والطلاسم والنيرنجيات، فكلها محال وضلالة عند أولى الألباب، ولا يقدح فى هذا نزول عيسى ابن مريم عليه السلام بعده، لأنه إذا نزل كان على دين نبينا صلى الله عليه وسلم ومنهاجه مع أن المراد : أنه آخر من نبى . قال أبو حيان : ومن ذهب إلى أن النبوة مكتسبة لا تنقطع، أو إلى أن الولي أفضل من النبى ، فهو زنديق يجب قتله، والله أعلم .
“Allah made you, peace be upon him, the Seal of the Prophets; this is an honor from Allah for you and the completion of the upright religion. Allah Almighty has explained in the Holy Quran and the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, has explained in mutawatir hadiths that there is no prophet after you, peace be upon him. The purpose is to make us understand that anyone who claims prophethood after the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, is a liar, fabricator, and impostor; he is himself misguided and misguides others. No matter how many tricks he performs, what kinds of magic, spells, and incantations he uses, he will be considered a liar and impostor. Because according to the people of intellect and wisdom, the existence of prophethood after Muhammad, peace be upon him, is impossible. The meaning of the Seal of Prophethood is that you, peace be upon him, are the last human upon whom revelation was sent. And yes! The descent of Sayyiduna Isa, peace be upon him, does not affect the belief in the Seal of Prophethood, because he will descend upon the religion and methodology of the Prophet, peace be upon him. Abu Hayyan, may Allah have mercy on him, says that whoever considers prophethood as a profession that continues or considers a wali (saint) superior to a prophet, he is an apostate deserving of death, and Allah knows best.”
Reference: (Al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah: 546/2)
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
فضلت على الأنبياء بست، أعطيت جوامع الكلم، ونصرت بالرعب، وأحلت لي الغنائم، وجعلت لي الأرض طهورا ومسجدا وأرسلت إلى الخلق كافة، وختم بي النبيون .
“I have been given superiority over the prophets in six things: I have been given comprehensive words, I have been supported with awe, my Ummah and I can pray anywhere on the earth and perform tayammum, I have been sent as a messenger to the whole world, and the chain of the prophets has ended with me.”
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 522)
◈ Sayyiduna Jubayr bin Mut’im, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
أنا محمد، وأنا أحمد، وأنا الماحي الذى يمحى بي الكفر، وأنا الحاشر الذى يحشر الناس على عقبي، وأنا العاقب الذى ليس بعده نبي .
“I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am the one who wipes out disbelief through me, I am the one who will be resurrected, and I am the last after whom there is no prophet.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3532, Sahih Muslim: 2354 and the wording is his)
Imam Sufyan bin ‘Uyaynah’s narration is followed in Sahih Bukhari
Reference: (4896)
by Shu’ayb bin Abi Hamzah, in Sahih Muslim
Reference: (2354)
by Yunus bin Yazid al-Aili, and Imam Malik
Reference: (1400/2)
and Sahih Bukhari
Reference: (3532)
have narrated it. Also, Imam Sufyan bin ‘Uyaynah has explicitly heard it in Musnad Humaydi
Reference: (565)
and Imam Zahri, may Allah have mercy on him, has confirmed the hearing in Sahih Bukhari
Reference: (4896)
.Secondly, all ten narrations of Bukhari and Muslim are based on hearing (sama‘).
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسمي لنا نفسه أسماء، فقال : أنا محمد، وأحمد، والمقفي ، والحاشر ، ونبي التوبة. ونبي الرحمة .
“The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to tell us his blessed names and said: I am Muhammad, I am the last one to come, after whom there is no prophet, I am the one who will be resurrected, I am the prophet of repentance and mercy.”
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 126/1355)
This hadith is evidence for the belief that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the last prophet of Allah. After him, the Day of Judgment will occur, but no prophet will arise after him.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him (852 AH), writes:
إشارة إلى أنه ليس بعده نبي ولا شريعة فلما كان لا أمة بعد أمته لأنه لا نبي بعده نسب الحشر إليه لأنه يقع عقبه .
“This hadith indicates that after the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, there is no prophet or Shariah. If there is no prophet after you, then obviously there will be no Ummah after you. After you, the resurrection will take place, so the resurrection is attributed to you.”
Reference: (Fath al-Bari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari: 557/6)
◈ Sayyiduna Thawban, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إنه سيكون فى أمتي كذابون ثلاثون، كلهم يزعم أنه نبي، وأنا خاتم النبيين، لا نبي بعدي .
“Thirty great liars will arise in my Ummah, and all of them will claim prophethood, but I am the last prophet; there is no prophet after me.”
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 278/5, Sunan Abi Dawud: 4252, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2219, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3952, Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim: 450/4, and its chain is authentic, and its origin is in Muslim: 1920/2889)
Imam Tirmidhi, may Allah have mercy on him, said this hadith is Hasan Sahih, and Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him, said it is Sahih on the condition of Bukhari and Muslim. Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, agreed with them. This hadith is explicit text that “Seal of the Prophets” لا نبي بعدي means this.
◈ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Samurah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إن بين يدي الساعة كذابين فاحذروهم .
“Before the Day of Judgment, liars will come; beware of them.”
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1822)
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
لا تقوم الساعة حتى يبعث دجالون كذابون، قريبا من ثلاثين، كلهم يزعم أنه رسول الله .
“The Day of Judgment will not be established until thirty great liars and impostors claim prophethood.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3609)
◈ Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إن بين يدي الساعة كذابين .
“Before the Day of Judgment, liars will come.”
Reference: (Musnad al-Bazzar Kashf al-Astar: 3374 with a good chain)
◈ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إن الرسالة والنبوة قد انقطعت، فلا رسول بعدي ولا نبي .
“Indeed, the chain of prophethood and messengership has been cut off; now after me, there is no messenger nor any prophet.”
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 53/11, Musnad Imam Ahmad: 268/3 Hadith: 13860, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2272, Musnad Abi Ya‘la quoting Takhrij Ahadith al-Kashaf by al-Zaili: 136/2, Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim: 391/3, Itḥaf al-Muharrar by Ibn Hajar: 1809 with an authentic chain)
Imam Tirmidhi, may Allah have mercy on him, said this hadith is “Sahih Gharib” and Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him, said it is “Sahih al-Isnad” on the condition of Imam Muslim. Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, agreed with them.
Mukhtar bin Fulful is trustworthy according to the majority of hadith scholars and is a narrator of Sahih Muslim. Imam Yahya bin Ma‘in, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta‘dil by Ibn Abi Hatim: 310/8)
, Imam ‘Ajli, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Tarikh al-Thiqat: 45/15)
, Imam Ya‘qub bin Sufyan, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Al-Ma‘rifah wa al-Tarikh: 151/3)
, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (As’ilat al-Athram: 83)
, Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Al-Thiqat: 429/5)
, Imam Ibn Shahin, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Tarikh Asma’ al-Thiqat: 95/13)
, and Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Al-Kashif: 248/2)
and others have said he is trustworthy.Imam Abu ‘Awana, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (303)
, Imam Ibn Khuzaymah, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (1715)
, etc., have authenticated his hadiths and given indirect confirmation.Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, criticized him with يخطئ كثيرا, but this criticism does not apply to this hadith because the majority have authenticated this chain. Imam Muslim, may Allah have mercy on him, narrated from Mukhtar ‘an Anas in his Sahih. No trustworthy Imam has disputed this hadith, and its content is established by dozens of other hadiths.
Warning :
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
تكلم فيه السليماني فعده فى رواة المناكير عن أنس .
"Hafiz Sulaymani, may Allah have mercy on him, criticized Mukhtar bin Fulful and counted him among those who narrated from Sayyiduna Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, but denied the authenticity of those narrations."
Reference: (Tahdhib al-Tahdhib: 609/10)
However, the great earlier Imams have declared him trustworthy; not even a slight word of weakness is proven against him. Hafiz Sulaymani, may Allah have mercy on him, is later and his criticism contradicts the consensus of the earlier Imams, so it is not accepted.
Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
رأيت للسليماني كتابا فيه حط على كبار، فلا يسمع منه ما شد فيه .
"I have seen Sulaymani’s book, in which he criticized great Imams as well, so his rare criticism cannot be relied upon."
Reference: (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala: 202/17)
Abdul Wahid bin Ziyad Abdi, may Allah have mercy on him, is a narrator of Sahih al-Sitta. Imam Yahya bin Ma'in, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Tarikh al-Darimi: 52)
, Imam Ajli, Imam Ibn Hibban, and others have called him "trustworthy." Imam Yahya bin Ma'in’s ليس بشيء statement is not established. Even if it were, it would be outweighed by the majority of Imams’ authentication. Moreover, Abdul Wahid bin Ziyad’s following is recorded by Abdullah bin Idris in the Musannif of Ibn Abi Shaybah.Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
كان متقنا ضابطا .
"He was precise and reliable."
Reference: (Mashahir 'Ulama al-Umam: 252/1)
Hafiz Ibn Abd al-Barr, may Allah have mercy on him (463 AH), says:
أجمعوا لا خلاف بينهم أن عبد الواحد بن زياد ثقة .
"There is consensus among the Muhaddithin that Abdul Wahid bin Ziyad was trustworthy."
Reference: (Tahdhib al-Tahdhib by Ibn Hajar: 435/6)
Hafiz Ibn Qattan al-Fasi, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
عبد الواحد ثقة، ولم يعتل عليه بقادح .
"Abdul Wahid is trustworthy; he was not declared weak due to any defect."
Reference: (Bayan al-Wahm wal-Ihyaam: 328/5)
Affan bin Muslim, may Allah have mercy on him, is a narrator of Sahih al-Sitta and unanimously trustworthy. Imam Abu Khaythamah Zuhair bin Harb, may Allah have mercy on him, and Imam Yahya bin Ma'in, may Allah have mercy on him, saying أنكرنا about him is not harmful.
Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
قد قال أبو خيثمة : أنكرنا عفان قبل موته بأيام . قلت : هذا التغير هو من تغير مرض الموت، وما ضره، لأنه ما حدث فيه بخطأ .
"Abu Khaythamah, may Allah have mercy on him, said that a few days before the death of Affan bin Muslim, they stopped narrating from him. I say that he stopped narrating from Affan due to his terminal illness. This criticism is not harmful to Affan because he did not narrate during his illness, so the possibility of error is not present."
Reference: (Mizan al-I'tidal: 82/3)
In this narration, the following of Affan bin Muslim, may Allah have mercy on him, was done by Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah, may Allah have mercy on him, and Imam Waki' bin Jarrah, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Amali Ibn Bishran: 223)
. Therefore, the criticism of the narrator is futile.◈ Sayyiduna Abu Umamah Bahili, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:
أيها الناس إنه لا نبي بعدي، ولا أمة بعدكم .
"O people! After me, there is no prophet and after you, there is no nation."
Reference: (Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani: 115/8, Hadith: 7535; Al-Sunnah Ibn Abi Asim: 1095, and its chain is authentic)
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Umamah Bahili, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, gave a sermon about the Dajjal and said:
أيها الناس إنه لم تكن فتنة على الأرض أعظم من فتنة الدجال، وإن الله لم يبعث نبيا إلا حذره أمته، وأنا آخر الأنبياء وأنتم آخر الأمم، وهو خارج فيكم لا محالة، فإن يخرج وأنا فيكم فأنا حجيج كل مسلم، وإن يخرج بعدي فكل امرء حجيج نفسه، والله خليفتي على كل مسلم وإنه يخرج من قلة بين الشام والعراق فيعيث يمينا ويعيث شمالا، فيا عباد الله، اثبتوا فإنه يبدأ فيقول : أنا نبي، ولا نبي بعدي، ثم يثني فيقول : أنا ربكم، ولن تروا ربكم حتى تموتوا، وإنه أعور، وإن ربكم ليس بأعور، وإنه مكتوب بين عينيه كافر، يقرؤه كل مؤمن، فمن لقيه منكم فليتفل فى وجهه .
"O people! There is no trial on the face of the earth greater than the trial of the Dajjal. Every prophet warned his nation about this trial. I am the last prophet and you are the last nation. He will surely come. If he comes during my lifetime, I will be his opponent on behalf of every Muslim, and if he comes after me, then every person is his own opponent. Allah is the guardian over every Muslim on my behalf. He will emerge between Sham and Iraq and spread corruption everywhere. O servants of Allah! Be steadfast. He will first claim prophethood, although no prophet can come after me. Then he will say, 'I am your Lord,' while you cannot see your Lord before death. The Dajjal will be one-eyed, whereas your Lord is not. Between his two eyes will be written 'Kafir' (disbeliever), which every believer will read. Whoever meets him among you, spit on his face."
Reference: (Al-Sunnah Ibn Abi Asim: 391, and its chain is Hasan)
◈ Sayyiduna Arabadh bin Sariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إني عند الله مكتوب لخاتم النبيين، وإن آدم لمنجدل فى طينته، وسأخبركم بأول ذلك دعوة أبى إبراهيم، وبشارة عيسى بي، والرؤيا التى رأت أمي، وكذلك أمهات النبيين يرين، أنها رأت حين وضعتني أنه خرج منها نور أضاءت منه قصور الشام .
"Adam, peace be upon him, was still being formed from clay when Allah wrote me as the Seal of the Prophets. I am the prayer of Ibrahim, the glad tidings of Isa, and the dream of my mother. At the time of my birth, she saw a dream that a light emerged from her and illuminated the palaces of Sham. The mothers of the prophets see such dreams."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 127/4, Tafsir al-Tabari: 566/1, 87/28, and the wording is from Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim: 1264, Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd: 148/1, 149, Tarikh al-Madina by Umar bin Shabba: 636/2, Al-Ma'rifah wal-Tarikh by Ya'qub bin Sufyan: 345/2, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani: 252/18, Musnad al-Shamiyyin al-Tabarani: 1939, Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim: 2/418, Dala'il al-Nubuwwah al-Bayhaqi: 80/1, 390, 389, 130/2, and its chain is Hasan)
This hadith was declared "Sahih" by Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (6404)
, and Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him, said its chain is "Sahih." Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, also declared it "Sahih" and called its chain "Hasan."
Reference: (Siyar A'lam al-Nubala: 47/1)
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إني آخر الأنبياء ، وإن مسجدي آخر المساجد .
"I am the last prophet and my mosque is the last mosque."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 507/1394)
◈ Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates:
خلف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على بن أبى طالب فى غزوة تبوك فقال : يا رسول الله تخلفني فى النساء والصبيان؟ فقال : أما ترضى أن تكون مني بمنزلة هارون من موسى؟ غير أنه لا نبي بعدي .
"During the expedition of Tabuk, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, appointed Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, as his successor in Medina. He said: O Messenger of Allah! Are you leaving me among women and children? He said: Do you not like this distinction that your relationship with me is like that of Harun to Musa, except that after me there will be no prophet."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3706, Sahih Muslim: 2404, and the wording is his)
In Sahih Muslim, these words are also present:
أنه لا نبوة بعدي .
"There is no prophethood after me."
◈ Sayyidah Asma bint Umais, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him:
أنت مني بمنزلة هارون من موسى، إلا أنه ليس نبي بعدي .
"You have the same relationship with me as Harun had with Musa, except that there is no prophet after me."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 369/1, 438, Sunan al-Kubra al-Nasa'i: 8143, Musnad Ishaq: 2139, Al-Sunnah Ibn Abi Asim: 1346, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani: 146/24, Musannif Ibn Abi Shaybah: 61, 60/12, and its chain is authentic)
Hafiz Haithami, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
رواه أحمد والطبراني، ورجال أحمد رجال الصحيح غير فاطمة بنت علي، وهى ثقة .
"This hadith was narrated by Imam Ahmad and Imam Tabarani, may Allah have mercy on them. All the narrators of Imam Ahmad’s narration are authentic according to Bukhari, except Fatimah bint Ali, and she is trustworthy."
Reference: (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 109/9)
◈ Sayyidah Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لا يبقى بعدي من النبوة شيء إلا المبشرات، قالوا : يا رسول الله وما المبشرات؟ قال : الرؤيا الصالحة يراها الرجل أو ترى له .
"After me, prophethood will end, and only glad tidings will remain." The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, asked: O Messenger of Allah! What are glad tidings? He said: Good dreams that a person sees himself or others see about him."
Reference: (Zawa'id Musnad Ahmad: 129/6, Musnad al-Bazzar: 2118, and its chain is Hasan)
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لم يبق من النبوة إلا المبشرات، قالوا : وما المبشرات؟ قال : الرؤيا الصالحة .
"Prophethood has ended; only glad tidings remain." The Companions asked: What are glad tidings? He said: Good dreams."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6990)
◈ Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin Asid, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
ذهبت النبوة، فلا نبوة بعدي إلا المبشرات، قيل : وما المبشرات؟ قال : الرؤيا الصالحة يراها الرجل أو ترى له .
"Prophethood has ended; there is no prophethood after me, only glad tidings remain." He was asked: What are glad tidings? He said: Good dreams that a person sees himself or others see about him."
Reference: (Musnad al-Bazzar: 2121, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani: 3051, and its chain is authentic)
Hafiz Haithami, may Allah have mercy on him, writes:
رواه الطبراني والبزار، ورجال الطبراني ثقات .
"It was narrated by Tabarani, may Allah have mercy on him, and Bazzar, may Allah have mercy on him. The narrators of Tabarani are trustworthy."
Reference: (Majma' al-Zawa'id: 173/7)
This hadith was mentioned by Imam Bazzar, may Allah have mercy on him, in the Musnad of Hudhayfah bin Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him.
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Muallimi, may Allah have mercy on him (1386 AH), writes:
اتفق أهل العلم على أن الرؤيا لا تصلح للحجة، وإنما هي تبشير وتنبيد، وتصلح للاستتناس بها إذا وافقت حجة شرعية صحيحة .
"The scholars agree that a dream of a believer is not a legal proof; it is only glad tidings and warning. But if the dream aligns with the legal evidences, it brings peace of heart."
Reference: (Al-Tanqil bima fi Ta'neeb al-Kawthari min al-Abatil: 242/2)
◈ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
أيها الناس! إنه لم يبق من مبشرات النبوة إلا الرؤيا الصالحة، يراها المسلم ، أو ترى له .
"O people! The glad tidings of prophethood have ended; only good dreams remain, which a Muslim sees himself or others see about him."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 479)
◈ Sayyidah Umm Kurz, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
ذهبت النبوة، وبقيت المبشرات .
"Prophethood has ended and glad tidings remain."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 381/6, Musnad al-Humaydi: 351, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3896, and its chain is Hasan)
This hadith was declared "Sahih" by Imam Ibn Khuzaymah, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar: 375/12)
, and Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (6047)
.Hafiz Busiri, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
هذا إسناد صحيح، رجاله ثقات .
"This chain is authentic, and its narrators are trustworthy."
Reference: (Misbah al-Zujajah: 154/4)
Abu Yazid, may Allah have mercy on him, is "Hasan al-Hadith." Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, and Imam Ajli, may Allah have mercy on him, authenticated him.
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to ask after Fajr prayer if anyone had seen a dream that night, and then he would say:
إنه ليس يبقى بعدي من النبوة إلا الرؤيا الصالحة .
"Indeed, there is no prophethood after me, only good dreams remain."
Reference: (Muwatta Imam Malik: 956/2, Musnad Imam Ahmad: 325/2, Sunan Abi Dawud: 5017, Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim: 390/4, 391, and its chain is authentic)
This hadith was declared "Sahih" by Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (6048)
, and Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him.Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, agreed with them.
Abu Tufail Amir bin Wathilah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لا نبوة بعدي إلا المبشرات، قال : قيل : وما المبشرات يا رسول الله؟ قال : الرؤيا الحسنة، أو قال : الرؤيا الصالحة .
"There is no prophethood after me; only glad tidings remain." It was asked: O Messenger of Allah! What are glad tidings? He said: Good dreams, or he said: Good dreams."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 454/5, and its chain is authentic)
From these hadiths, it is established that the chain of prophethood has ended. Only glad tidings remain, which refer to the good dreams of Muslims.
◈ Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amir, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:
لو كان بعدي نبي لكان عمر بن الخطاب .
"If there were a prophet after me, it would have been Umar bin Khattab."
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3686, Musnad Imam Ahmad: 154/4, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani: 180/17, Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim: 85/3, and its chain is Hasan)
This hadith was declared "Hasan Gharib" by Imam Tirmidhi, "Sahih al-Isnad" by Imam Hakim, and "Sahih" by Hafiz Al-Dhahabi. Imam Ibn Hibban declared it "Sahih."
Reference: (Ittihaf al-Muhra by Ibn Hajar: 224/11, Hadith: 13924)
Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
هو ثابت عنه .
"This is established from Mushrih bin Ha'aan."
Reference: (Minhaj al-Sunnah: 69/6)
Mushrih bin Ha'aan has been declared trustworthy by Imam Yahya bin Ma'in, Imam Ya'qub bin Sufyan Fasawi, Imam Ajli, Imam Ibn 'Adi, and Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on them, including the majority of the noble Muhaddithin.
Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (Al-Kashif: 3/129)
, called him trustworthy and also called him truthful.
Reference: (Mizan al-I'tidal: 4/117)
When asked about this hadith, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
اضرب عليه، فإنه عندي منكر .
"Leave it; in my view, it is rejected."
Reference: (Al-Muntakhab min 'Ilal al-Khilal, p. 189)
Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
يروي عن عقبة بن عامر أحاديث مناكير لا يتابع عليها .. والصواب فى أمره ترك ما انفرد من الروايات والاعتبار بما وافق الثقات .
"Mushrih narrated some rejected narrations from Uqbah bin Amir, may Allah be pleased with him, which were not followed. The preferred view is to abandon his isolated narrations and accept those in agreement with trustworthy narrators."
Reference: (Kitab al-Majruhīn: 28/3)
Although Mushrih bin Ha'aan is isolated in this narration, he does not contradict trustworthy narrators, so this narration will be accepted. Also, note that the criticism of Mushrih’s isolated narrations was made by Imam Ibn Hibban, who also declared this narration authentic, proving it is not rejected.
If Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal’s rejection is found, it is requested that:
➊ Possibly, he rejected a specific chain of this narration, as some weak chains exist.
➋ If he rejected the same chain, then his position contradicts the majority of Muhaddithin and trustworthy evidence, which is not correct. والله اعلم!
Hafiz 'Iraqi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
"The hadith: لو لم أبعث لبعثت يا عمر is rejected, whereas the hadith: لو كان بعدي نبي لكان عمر بن الخطاب is well-known."
Reference: (Al-Mughni 'an Hamal al-Asfar fi al-Asfar, p. 1054)
From this hadith, it is established that no legislative or non-legislative prophet will come after the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. If Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was not a prophet, then who else could be?
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لقد كان فيمن كان قبلكم من بني إسرائيل رجال ، يكلمون من غير أن يكونوا أنبياء، فإن يكن من أمتي منهم أحد فعمر .
"There were people among Bani Israel who were spoken to, although they were not prophets. If there is anyone like that among my Ummah, it will be Umar bin Khattab."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3689)
The wording of another narration is:
لقد كان فيما قبلكم من الأمم محدثون، فإن يك فى أمتي أحد، فإنه عمر .
"There were narrators among the earlier nations; if there is anyone like that among my Ummah, it will be Umar."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3689, narrated by Muslim: 2398 and others from the hadith of Aisha)
A narration from Sayyidah Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, says:
ما كان من نبي إلا وفي أمته مكلم أو مكلمان، فإن يكن فى أمتي أحد منهم، فعمر بن الخطاب .
"No prophet passed without having one or two teachers in his nation. If there is a teacher in my nation, it will be Umar bin Khattab."
Reference: (Kitab al-Sunnah Ibn Abi Asim: 1297, and its chain is Hasan)
Abdul Rahman bin Abi Zannad, may Allah have mercy on him, is "Muwathaq, Hasan al-Hadith." Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
وهو ثقة عند الجمهور، وتكلم فيه بعضهم بما لا يقدح فيه .
"He is trustworthy according to the majority; some criticized him, but it is not a cause for discredit."
Reference: (Nata'ij al-Afkar: 304)
Note that Muhaddith, teacher, and instructor have the same meaning.
From this hadith, it is understood that if there were a narrator and teacher in this Ummah, it would be Umar bin Khattab, meaning the opposite is that if Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, did not attain the honor of being a narrator, then no one else can.
◈ Ismail bin Abdul Rahman al-Saddi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
سألت أنس بن مالك، قلت : صلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على ابنه إبراهيم؟ قال : لا أدري، رحمة الله على إبراهيم، لو عاش كان صديقا نبيا .
"I asked Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, whether the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, led the funeral prayer of his son Ibrahim. He said: I do not know. May Allah have mercy on Ibrahim. If he had lived, he would have been a true prophet."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 280/3, 281, Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd: 140/1, and its chain is Hasan)
◈ Ismail bin Abi Khalid, may Allah have mercy on him, says that he asked Abdullah bin Abi Awfa, may Allah be pleased with him:
رأيت إبراهيم بن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم؟ قال : مات صغيرا، ولو قضي أن يكون بعد محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم نبي عاش ابنه، ولكن لا نبي بعده .
"Did you see the son of the Prophet, Ibrahim? He said: He died in childhood. If there were room for a prophet after the Prophet, your son would have lived, but there is no prophet after you."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6194, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1510, Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat al-Tabarani: 6638, Tarikh Ibn Asakir 135/3)
These narrations explicitly state that if anyone were to receive prophethood after the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, it would have been Ibrahim bin Muhammad, peace be upon him. His death indicates that no one can receive prophethood after the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Whoever claims prophethood after the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, will be a fabricator, liar, and Dajjal, because the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إن بين يدي الساعة ثلاثين كذابا دجالا، كلهم يزعم أنه نبي .
"Before the Hour, thirty liars and Dajjals will appear, each claiming prophethood."
Reference: (Dala'il al-Nubuwwah al-Bayhaqi: 480/6, Sahih)
He also said:
لا تقوم الساعة حتى يخرج ثلاثون كذابا، دجالا، كلهم يكذب على الله وعلى رسوله .
"The Hour will not be established until thirty (notorious) liars and Dajjals appear, each of whom will lie about Allah and His Messenger."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawud: 4334, and its chain is Hasan)
◈ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that on the Day of Judgment, people will go to the Prophets for the great intercession, including to Isa, peace be upon him. They will say: Isa! Intercede with your Lord for our judgment. He will say: I cannot help you at that time; go to:
لكن ائتوا محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم، فإنه خاتم النبيين .
"Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, the last prophet."
He is present today, and his sins before and after have been forgiven. Isa, peace be upon him, will ask: If a container is sealed with a seal, can the contents be accessed without breaking the seal? People will say no. Isa will say:
إن محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم خاتم النبيين .
"Indeed, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is the last prophet."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 248/3, and its chain is authentic)
In another narration, it is said:
يأتون محمدا فيقولون : يا محمد، أنت رسول الله وخاتم الأنبياء .
"People will go to Muhammad Rasul Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and say: O Muhammad! You are the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 4712, Sahih Muslim: 194)
◈ Sayyiduna 'Awf bin Malik Ashja'i, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
أبيتم، فوالله ! إني لأنا الحاشر، وأنا العاقب، وأنا النبى المصطفى آمنتم أو كذبتم .
"Jews! You have denied (لا اله الا الله). By Allah! Whether you believe in me or not, I am the Gatherer (Hasher), (meaning after me the gathering will occur), I am the Last (Aqib), (meaning no prophet can come after me), I am the Chosen Prophet."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 25/6, Hadith: 24484, and its chain is Hasan)
◈ Sayyiduna Samrah bin Jundub, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إنه والله! لا تقوم الساعة حتى يخرج ثلاثون كذابا، آخرهم الأعور الدجال .
"By Allah! The Hour will not be established until thirty liars appear, the last of whom will be the one-eyed Dajjal."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 16/5, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani: 6797, 6798, 6799, Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim: 329/1, 332, and its chain is Hasan)
This hadith was declared "Sahih" by Imam Ibn Khuzaymah, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (1397)
, Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (2856)
, and Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it "Sahih" according to the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim. Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, agreed with them.This hadith was also narrated in a shorter form by Imam Abu Dawud, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (1184)
, Imam Nasai, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (1484)
, and Imam Tirmidhi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (562)
, who called it "Hasan Sahih."Tha'labah bin 'Abbad, may Allah have mercy on him, is "Hasan al-Hadith." Imam Ibn Khuzaymah, Imam Ibn Hibban, Imam Tirmidhi, and Imam Hakim authenticated this hadith, so calling it "unknown" is incorrect.
◈ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with them both, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
كان النبى يبعث إلى قومه خاصة، وبعثت إلى الناس عامة .
"Earlier prophets were sent only to their own people, but I was sent to all mankind."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 335, Sahih Muslim: 521)
In Sahih Muslim
Reference: (3/521)
, it is stated:كان كل نبي يبعث إلى قومه خاصة، وبعثت إلى كل أحمر وأسود .
"Earlier prophets were sent to their own peoples, but I was sent to every red and black."
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
والذي نفس محمد بيده، لا يسمع بي أحد من هذه الأمة يهودي ولا نصراني ، ثم يموت ولم يؤمن بالذي أرسلت به، إلا كان من أصحاب النار .
"By the One in Whose hand is my soul! Whoever among this Ummah, whether Jew or Christian, hears my message and dies without believing in it, he will be in Hell."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 153)
Hafiz Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him (676 AH), writes:
قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم : لا يسمع بي أحد من هذه الأمة، أى من هو موجود فى زمني وبعدي إلى يوم القيامة، فكلهم يجب عليهم الدخول فى طاعته، وإنما ذكر اليهودي والنصراني تنبيها على من سواهما، وذلك لأن اليهود والنصارى لهم كتاب، فإذا كان هذا شأنهم مع أن لهم كتابا؛ فغيرهم ممن لا كتاب له أولى .
"The statement of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him: (Whoever among this Ummah hears my message) means that obedience to me is obligatory on all until the Day of Judgment, whether they are my contemporaries or come after me. Then he mentioned Jews and Christians, although they have their own scriptures. Actually, he wanted to explain that if Jews and Christians, despite having scriptures, are obligated to believe in the Messenger, then those without scriptures are even more obligated to believe in him."
Reference: (Sharh Sahih Muslim: 188/2-189)
◈ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with them both, narrates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to say:
بعثت أنا والساعة كهاتين .
"The time between my mission and the Hour is like the distance between these two fingers."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 867)
◈ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لست من الدنيا وليست مني إني بعثت والساعة نستبق .
"My mission and the world are so closely connected that my mission has occurred here and the Hour has been established here."
Reference: (Tarikh Ibn Asakir: 334/9, Al-Mukhtarah lil-Dhiya: 1542, and its chain is authentic)
The meaning is that no prophet will come between me and the Hour.
Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him (354 AH), says:
أراد به أني بعثت أنا والساعة كالسبابة والوسطى من غير أن يكون بيننا نبي آخر، لأني آخر الأنبياء وعلى أمتي تقوم الساعة .
"The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, means that my mission and the Hour are like the index finger and the middle finger. There is no prophet between me and the Hour. I am the last prophet, and the Hour will be established upon my Ummah."
Reference: (Sahih Ibn Hibban: 11/15)
Allama Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy on him (671 AH), writes:
أما قوله : بعثت أنا والساعة كهاتين ، فمعناه أنا النبى الأخير فلا يليني نبي آخر، وإنما تليني القيامة كما تلي السبابة الوسطى وليس بينهما إصبع أخرى، وهذا لا يوجب أن يكون له علم بالساعة نفسها وهى مع ذلك كائنة لأن أشراطها متتابعة ، وقد ذكر الله الأشراط فى القرآن، فقال : فَقَدْ جَآءَ اَشْرَاطُهَا (محمد : 18) أى دنت، وأولها النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم لأنه نبي آخر الزمان، وقد بعث وليس بينه وبين القيامة نبي .
"The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: (The distance between my mission and the Hour is like the distance between these two fingers). This means I am the last prophet; no prophet will come after me. After me, the Hour will come. Just as there is no finger between the index and middle finger, similarly, there is no prophet between me and the Hour. This news of the Hour does not mean that the Prophet had knowledge of the Hour; it means the Hour will surely come, and its signs will inevitably appear, as Allah said: فَقَدْ جَآءَ اَشْرَاطُهَا 'The Hour is near.'
Reference: (Muhammad: 18)
Among these signs, the last of the last times is the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Now that your mission has occurred, the Hour will come after it, and no prophet."
Reference: (Al-Tadhkirah fi Ahwal al-Mawta wa Umur al-Akhirah: 1219)
Allama Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy on him (795 AH), writes:
قد فسر قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم : بعثت أنا والساعة كهاتين، وقرن بين السبابة والوسطى بقرب زمانه من الساعة، كقرب السبابة من الوسطى، وبأن زمن بعثته تعقبه الساعة من غير تخلل نبي آخر بينه وبين الساعة .
"The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: (The distance between my mission and the Hour is like the distance between these two fingers). This means my time is as close to the Hour as the index and middle fingers. After the mission of the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, only the Hour will come; no prophet will be born in between."
Reference: (Fath al-Bari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari: 355/4)
◈ Sayyiduna Sa’ib bin Yazid, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates:
نظرت إلى خاتم النبوة بين كتفيه، مثل زر الحجلة .
"I saw the seal of prophethood between the shoulders of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him; it was like a pigeon’s egg."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5670, Sahih Muslim: 2345)
◈ Sayyiduna Jubayr bin Mut'im, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إن لي أسماء أنا محمد وأحمد والعاقب والماحي والحاشر الذى يحشر الناس على عقبي، والعاقب آخر الأنبياء .
"I have many names: I am Muhammad, Ahmad, Aqib, Mahhi, Hashir (peace be upon him). Hashir means the one after whom the gathering will occur, and Aqib means the last prophet."
Reference: (Musnad al-Bazzar: 3413, and its chain is authentic)
Imam Bazzar, may Allah have mercy on him, declared its chain authentic.
◈ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
بعثت بين يدي الساعة بالسيف حتى يعبد الله وحده لا شريك له، وجعل رزقي تحت ظل رمحي، وجعل الذلة والصغار على من خالف أمري، ومن تشبه بقوم فهو منهم .
"Shortly before the Hour, I will be sent with a sword. As long as there is no worship except Allah alone without partners, the sword will keep moving. My provision is under the shade of spears. Humiliation and disgrace are the fate of those who oppose my Shariah. Whoever resembles a nation is one of them."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 50/2, and its chain is Hasan)
◈ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إني خاتم النبيين، ولا نبي بعدي .
"I am the Seal of the Prophets; there is no prophet after me."
Reference: (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir al-Bukhari: 4/2, and its chain is Hasan)
◈ Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with them both, narrates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
أنا سيد المرسلين، ولا فخر وأنا خاتم النبيين ولا فخر وأنا أول شافع ومشفع ولا فخر .
"I am the Master of the Messengers, the Seal of the Prophets, and the first intercessor and the one who intercedes. I do not say this out of pride but as a reminder of a blessing."
Reference: (Al-Awa'il Ibn Abi Asim: 87, and the wording is his Al-Mu'jam al-Awsat al-Tabarani: 170, Al-Tarikh al-Kabir al-Bukhari: 286/4, Dala'il al-Nubuwwah al-Bayhaqi: 480/5, and its chain is authentic)
