❖ Introduction to the Finality of Prophethood
❀ Author: Qari Zakaullah Hafizabadi, Teacher at Jamia Islamia Sadiqabad❀ Topic: The Creed of Finality of Prophethood and the Deviant Claims of False Muslims
❀ Qur'anic Foundation:
"مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِجَالِكُمْ وَلَـكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا"
(Al-Ahzab: 40)
“Indeed, Muhammad ﷺ is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. And Allah has perfect knowledge of all things.”
◈ Historical Resistance to Divine Guidance
Throughout human history, whenever Allah sent His prophets for the guidance of mankind, falsehood opposed them fiercely. From Iblis opposing Adam عليه السلام to Pharaoh challenging Moses عليه السلام, and from Nimrod confronting Ibrahim عليه السلام to the Quraysh rejecting the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the struggle between truth and falsehood has always been evident.Despite all attempts to extinguish the light of truth, Allah says:
"يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ"
(At-Tawbah: 32)
“They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, even though the disbelievers dislike it.”
◈ The Finality of Prophethood as Prophesied
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ foretold that thirty great liars would emerge, each claiming to be a prophet."إِنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ ثَلَاثِينَ دَجَّالِينَ كُلُّهُمْ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ نَبِيٌّ"
(Bayhaqi: Dala'il al-Nubuwwah 6/480)
"Before the Hour, thirty great liars will appear, each claiming that he is a prophet."
The Ummah has always risen to defend the finality of Prophethood and counter the claims of these impostors, including Musaylimah al-Kadhdhab and Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani.
◈ Hidden Hypocrisy and Modern Deceptions
Some individuals outwardly profess the Kalimah and claim love for the Prophet ﷺ, but inwardly harbor beliefs resembling those of the false prophets. They misuse the terms “legislative” and “non-legislative” prophethood to mislead others. Such beliefs are mere deception veiled in piety.These individuals are described in the Qur'an:
"وَإِذَا لَقُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا إِلَىٰ شَيَاطِينِهِمْ قَالُوا إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِئُونَ"
(Al-Baqarah: 14)
“And when they meet those who believe, they say, ‘We believe’; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, ‘Indeed, we are with you; we were only mocking.’”
◈ The Rafidah and Denial of Finality
The Rafidah sect, long before Qadianism, denied the finality of Prophethood under the guise of Imamate. They attribute prophetic traits to their twelve Imams:① Claimed divine appointment (نص)
② Claimed infallibility (عصمت)
③ Made obedience to Imams obligatory
④ Believed in the descent of divine revelation (وحی) on them
These traits are exclusively for prophets. Attributing them to anyone else is tantamount to denying the finality of Prophethood.
◈ The Prophetic Mission: A Completed Task
The Qur'an affirms the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the last Messenger who completed his mission with excellence:"لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ..."
(Aal-e-Imran: 164)
“Certainly did Allah bestow a great favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves…”
The Prophet ﷺ stated:
"إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَكَارِمَ الأَخْلاقِ"
(Ahmad 2/381)
"I have been sent to perfect noble character."
Once this mission is fulfilled, no room remains for another prophet, legislative or otherwise.
◈ Conclusion: The Imperative to Defend Finality
The defense of the finality of Prophethood is not optional—it is the essence of our faith. Anyone who claims new Prophethood, in any form, is outside the fold of Islam. The Ummah must remain vigilant against such heresies, whether from Rafidah, Qadianis, or pseudo-Sunni claimants.✔ We have pledged to safeguard the legacy of Prophethood
✔ We must sacrifice wealth, soul, and knowledge for this cause
✔ There is no Islam without belief in the finality of Muhammad ﷺ
