Was Muhammad the final prophet?

[Augustus]

Of course our knowledge of Mani's claim to such a title comes through Islamic scholars who were contrasting Mani to their own religion. Carsten Colpe suggests in his paper on the subject that the Manicheans themselves had an entirely different idea on what the term meant, in their case "seal" not being "last" but meaning "mark of authenticity", like a seal on a letter.

So I guess if we include Mani's similar title from a different language the term "Seal of the Prophets" has a fourth potential meaning, though there are no Manicheans anymore, so today there are only three current interpretations of the title.

More than 3 still.

1 Corinthians 9

Am I not free? kAm I not an apostle? lHave I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

We turn now to the phrase kha ̄tam al-nabiyy ̄ın in v. 40 of S ̄urat al-Ahz ̆ a ̄b. The first word in this phrase may be read in one of three ways: (1) As a noun, kha ̄tam, which means a seal; (2) as an active participle, kha ̄tim, which means the end or last part or portion; and (3) as a verb, khatama, which means either to seal, stamp, or impress or to reach the end of a thing.62 Let us focus our attention on the first reading (kha ̄tam)—which is the hardest to reconcile with the assertion that Muha ̆ mmad is the Last Prophet. The literal meaning of kha ̄tam al-nabiyy ̄ın is Seal of Prophets. It is possible to understand this figure of speech by analogy to its use in the above-mentioned Jewish, Christian, and Manichean texts. As we have seen, the Qur a ̄n identifies Muha ̆ mmad as a link in a chain of messengers that goes back to Abraham. Previously, God delivered the Torah
to Moses and the Inj ̄ıl to Jesus. In this context, the metaphor in v. 40 may be read as signifying that the revelation sent to Muha ̆ mmad confirms or fulfills the earlier Jewish and Christian revelations. By bearing witness to the truth of the earlier revelations, Muha ̆ mmad placed his personal seal (kha ̄tam) on those texts. This is how some members of the early Muslim community understood the phrase Seal of Prophets.63 (D Powers - Muhammad is not the father of any of your men)

 

[soulsurvivor]

Prophets are people who recieve revelation from God and they guide people towards the right path. They are often given miracles to prove that they are really send by God.

Based on that defintion, Muhammad peace be upon him was the last prophet.


Perhaps your definition of a prophet is different ....

Where in your definition does it say that Muhammad is the 'final' or last prophet and that there will be no more?

I agree that Muhammad was a prophet, but there is no reason to believe he is the 'final' one and that there will be no more prophets - this is just a Islamic delusion. There will be many more prophets.

BTW, what miracles did Muhammad perform?

 

[Sanzbir]

More than 3 still.

1 Corinthians 9

Am I not free? kAm I not an apostle? lHave I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

We turn now to the phrase kha ̄tam al-nabiyy ̄ın in v. 40 of S ̄urat al-Ahz ̆ a ̄b. The first word in this phrase may be read in one of three ways: (1) As a noun, kha ̄tam, which means a seal; (2) as an active participle, kha ̄tim, which means the end or last part or portion; and (3) as a verb, khatama, which means either to seal, stamp, or impress or to reach the end of a thing.62 Let us focus our attention on the first reading (kha ̄tam)—which is the hardest to reconcile with the assertion that Muha ̆ mmad is the Last Prophet. The literal meaning of kha ̄tam al-nabiyy ̄ın is Seal of Prophets. It is possible to understand this figure of speech by analogy to its use in the above-mentioned Jewish, Christian, and Manichean texts. As we have seen, the Qur a ̄n identifies Muha ̆ mmad as a link in a chain of messengers that goes back to Abraham. Previously, God delivered the Torah
to Moses and the Inj ̄ıl to Jesus. In this context, the metaphor in v. 40 may be read as signifying that the revelation sent to Muha ̆ mmad confirms or fulfills the earlier Jewish and Christian revelations. By bearing witness to the truth of the earlier revelations, Muha ̆ mmad placed his personal seal (kha ̄tam) on those texts. This is how some members of the early Muslim community understood the phrase Seal of Prophets.63 (D Powers - Muhammad is not the father of any of your men)

Yes, those two examples also fit one of the four potential definitions I outlined. With the Christian source lining up with the Manichean understanding and the early Muslim source lining up with the Baha'i understanding.

 

[Pastek]

Did Muhammad (peace be upon him) claim that no prophets would come after him?
Is it in the Koran? If so, does that mean no one who comes after him will have the gift of prophecy?

He only said Jesus will come back, he NEVER talked about any other prophet who should come.

Also, Why is it not okay to criticize the prophet? Surely he made mistakes...
Even if a person accepts him as a prophet, can't they also say he made serious mistakes?

Muslims never critisize any prophet. Yes they are human beings and can do mistakes but not big mistakes.

 

[BilliardsBall]

Please show us a Prophecy that was not written down 'after' the event.

You mean flat, 7,000 year old created in 7 literal days, with plant life appearing before the sun which was created on 'day' 3 :/


Yes huge over reaction from some Muslims over the Rushdie affair, one only had to examine the sources to see it either never happened or was a later fabrication, indeed the verses are nothing like the style of the Qur'an.

Yes much more so than Saul who went in the opposite direction to Jesus' pbuh commandments, particularly keeping Torah no matter what happens.

A biblical prophecy not written "after" the event?

That many false prophets would come after Jesus, while citing Jesus as a reference!

I never understood how Allah can keep the Noble Qu'ran unstained and unsullied in Heaven and on Earth but was unable to prevent the Bible from receiving corruption.

 

[David1967]

Did Muhammad (peace be upon him) claim that no prophets would come after him?
Is it in the Koran? If so, does that mean no one who comes after him will have the gift of prophecy?

Also, Why is it not okay to criticize the prophet? Surely he made mistakes... can't a person, even a Muslim, be critical and say marriage of a middle-aged man to a prepubescent girl is low and should be outlawed?

Even if a person accepts him as a prophet, can't they also say he made serious mistakes?

How old was Aisha? Does anyone really know? I have read that Mary, the mother of Jesus would have been around twelve years old at the time she was pregnant with Him. My question is , what was the acceptable marrying age of a woman at that time in history? I think that before an accusation of this magnitude is aimed at the Prophet Mohammed, that question would have to be asked. What is unacceptable today, may well have been common in the distant past.

 

[Rival]

How old was Aisha? Does anyone really know? I have read that Mary, the mother of Jesus would have been around twelve years old at the time she was pregnant with Him. My question is , what was the acceptable marrying age of a woman at that time in history? I think that before an accusation of this magnitude is aimed at the Prophet Mohammed, that question would have to be asked. What is unacceptable today, may well have been common in the distant past.

The problem with this kind of thinking is that Muhammad is set as a moral exemplar for all time within Islam.

 

[Muslim-UK]

A biblical prophecy not written "after" the event?

Yes, for example Jesus pbuh was born of a virgin, and then someone twists the verse found in a earlier book and presents it as a Prophecy. Or Jesus pbuh is said to have been crucified in 33 A.D. and someone writes a Gospel around 70 A.D. in which they claim, Jesus pbuh predicted the event a year before the 'alleged' event.

That many false prophets would come after Jesus, while citing Jesus as a reference!

Can you quote the relevant verse for me to check that.

I never understood how Allah can keep the Noble Qu'ran unstained and unsullied in Heaven and on Earth but was unable to prevent the Bible from receiving corruption.

Firstly could you show either the OT or NT claiming to be revelation from God and secondly I refer you to the reason given in the Qur'an itself:

Indeed, We sent down the Torah, in which was guidance and light. The prophets who submitted [to Allah ] judged by it for the Jews, as did the rabbis and scholars by that with which they were entrusted of the Scripture of Allah, and they were witnesses thereto. So do not fear the people but fear Me, and do not exchange My verses for a small price. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers. Qur'an 5:44

 

[Muslim-UK]

The problem with this kind of thinking is that Muhammad is set as a moral exemplar for all time within Islam.

That's a cop out. Look around at the Tens of Millions of Muslims marrying every year and you will see 99.99% marry someone within their age group.

 

[Muslim-UK]

BTW, what miracles did Muhammad perform?

How does one verify a miracle that was 'allegedly' performed by any Prophet?

 

[Rival]

That's a cop out. Look around at the Tens of Millions of Muslims marrying every year and you will see 99.99% marry someone within their age group.

Maybe but Muhammad's marriage to A'isha set a standard. Many Islamic nations follow this standard by allowing child brides.

 

[Muslim-UK]

Maybe but Muhammad's marriage to A'isha set a standard. Many Islamic nations follow this standard by allowing child brides.

There are countries that sanction marriage when a person hits puberty? Is this what you mean? If so there are many Countries that are not governed by Muslims that allow the same thing.

 

[Muslim-UK]

Muhammad pbuh was a Prophet and was not tasked with writing a single thing that was revealed to him, rather you will notice GOD Himself says,

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian. Qur'an 15:9

One way GOD used was to allow the Prophet pbuh to marry Aisha ra, who was already engaged to someone else, and it's thanks to her that we know as much as we do about the Prophet's life, and indeed she having memorised the Qur'an was amongst the first Scholars of Islam.

We know not, whilst GOD is All Knowing, All Wise.

 

[David1967]

That's a cop out. Look around at the Tens of Millions of Muslims marrying every year and you will see 99.99% marry someone within their age group.

The problem with this kind of thinking is that Muhammad is set as a moral exemplar for all time within Islam.

I think you are using a pretty broad brush here, at least on the subject of acceptable marrying age of women. Which has changed dramatically even among Christian people over the last 100 years. The Muslims of say Afghanistan, would no doubt have a different take on marriage age than a Muslim born and raised in America. In my community Muslim couples are in the same general age group as Muslim UK, said. Personally I think it more to do with a particular culture and time than a general interpretation of Islam.

 

[Rival]

I think you are using a pretty broad brush here, at least on the subject of acceptable marrying age of women. Which has changed dramatically even among Christian people over the last 100 years. The Muslims of say Afghanistan, would no doubt have a different take on marriage age than a Muslim born and raised in America. In my community Muslim couples are in the same general age group as Muslim UK, said. Personally I think it more to do with a particular culture and time than a general interpretation of Islam.

Or the laws of a given country...

 

[David1967]

Or the laws of a given country...

True.

 

[David1967]

Or the laws of a given country...

What comes to mind is a radio program I heard in 1992 discussing things that had changed from 1882. One was that the legal marrying age in America in 1882 was 12 for a girl and 14 for a boy. I guess at that time being a mostly agricultural society ,marrying age would have been when they were old enough to farm for themselves.

 

[soulsurvivor]

How does one verify a miracle that was 'allegedly' performed by any Prophet?

I guess, if there are many witnesses then the miracle probably took place in some form.

But in the case of Muhammad there seems to have been no miracles at all! Or were there any?

 

[Muslim-UK]

I guess, if there are many witnesses then the miracle probably took place in some form.

But in the case of Muhammad there seems to have been no miracles at all! Or were there any?

yes there were many but no way for us to verify them..

10 Amazing Miracles of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)

All except one that is, which anyone can verify for themselves.

 

[soulsurvivor]

Aisha herself wrote that she was six years old when she got married to Muhammad....at a young age it was drilled into me that that is very shameful and wrong

So did she say she was unhappy or forced? In any case, she stayed at her parents place under 10 or something like that.

Actually this sort of thing happens in third world countries even today (in India for instance among some tribes, although it is banned and illegal there). The parents get the kids engaged/married when the girl is 4 or 5 and then send her to the husband once she reaches puberty. It may not be a good thing and even illegal but still culturally accepted.So we should stop judging somebody after more than a 1000 years without understand the culture especially when there is no accuser. Many Popes have done far worse. As I said before what Abraham did to Hagar was much worse.

yes there were many but no way for us to verify them..

10 Amazing Miracles of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)

All except one that is, which anyone can verify for themselves.

Interesting list. I am sure some of them did occur, but others are just stories.