Popeyesays said:
"For this reason all linguists and commentators agree that Khatam-ul-Nabiyyin means 'The Last in the line of Prophets.' The word Khatam in its dictionary meaning and linguistic usage does not refer to the post office stamp which is affixed on the outgoing mail. Its literal meaning is the 'seal' which is but on the envelope to secure its contents."
Exactly.
However, it can mean that the seal on the envelope is placed their to authenticate the contents, and authentication of the previous prophets is what Muhammad meant by "seal".
Dear Scott....We have discussed this matter at many place...but I see that it has not be changed a bit...This is the verse we are talking about...to avoid any more confusion let me paste is
وَلَكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ but messenger of God and Seal of News givers.....I hope you have no problem with my translation now...because this is the only possible clearest translation. According to the Oxford dictionary the meanings of seal are
1.an engraved piece of metal used to stamp a design;it impression 2.something used to close an opening very tighty which ever meaning you confirm....both entitle Muhammed to be the last impression on the document of revelation or closing of the opening document of revelation which started from Adam....If you have any other meanings of Seal...I have presented the most authentic one, you are welcome...But I think there is nothing more to discuss about regarding this topic as Muhammed himself declared himself the Last Prophet and we are no one to go against his statment.....
Popeyesays said:
The context of the Surah in question is very important. He was dealing with the problems that arose when He married the ex-wife of His adopted son. So He pointed out that adoption is not what siring is. Adoptive names should remain the father's name, not the name of the man who adopts the child.
If his adopted son was in fact his "true" son in a scriptural sense, then not only did the law prevent Muhammad from marrying the girl, but it also opened the door to the adopted son claiming inherited status as "Prophet" after Muhammad's death. It was not His intention to create dispute over succession.
The succession proved to be bloody and divisive enough all by itself without tossing in a third element of contention.
In the context of the Surah and the events amongst the companions of Muhammad the verse best makes sense. And it is incumbent upon people to make sense of revelation.
Regards,
Scott
Here is the whole context from Surah Araf where you had picked up the lines....
22. So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?" 23. They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost." 24. ((Allah)) said: "Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time." 25. He said: "Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be taken out (at last)." 26. O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,- that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition! 27. O ye Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as He got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the evil ones friends (only) to those without faith. 28. When they do aught that is shameful, they say: "We found our fathers doing so"; and "(Allah) commanded us thus": Say: "Nay, Allah never commands what is shameful: do ye say of Allah what ye know not?" 29. Say: "My Lord hath commanded justice; and that ye set your whole selves (to Him) at every time and place of prayer, and call upon Him, making your devotion sincere as in His sight: such as He created you in the beginning, so shall ye return." 30. Some He hath guided: Others have (by their choice) deserved the loss of their way; in that they took the evil ones, in preference to Allah, for their friends and protectors, and think that they receive guidance. 31. O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters. 32. Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He hath produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He hath provided) for sustenance? Say: They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) purely for them on the Day of Judgment. Thus do We explain the signs in detail for those who understand. 33. Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah, for which He hath given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge. 34. To every people is a term appointed: when their term is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation). 35. O ye Children of Adam! whenever there come to you apostles from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those who are righteous and mend (their lives),- on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. 36. But those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance,- they are companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (for ever). I don't know from where did you bring in the Prophet's issue of his adopted son....Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) got a message from Allah ordering him to marry Zaynab bint Jahsh, while he did in 5 AH, when he was fifty-eight years old, and she was thirty-five years old. In doing so, he demonstrated beyond doubt that in Islam an adopted son is not regarded in the same light as a natural son, and that although a father may never marry a woman whom his natural son has married and then divorced, the father of an adopted son is allowed to marry a woman who was once, but is no longer, married to that adopted son.And this matter is discussed in Surah Ahzah ayah 37
And when thou saidst unto him on whom Allah hath conferred favor and thou hast conferred favor: Keep thy wife to thyself, and fear Allah. And thou didst hide in thy mind that which Allah was to bring to light, and thou didst fear mankind whereas Allah had a better right that thou shouldst fear Him. So when Zeyd had performed the necessary formality (of divorce) from her, We gave her unto thee in marriage, so that (henceforth) there may be no sin for believers in respect of wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have performed the necessary formality (of release) from them. The commandment of Allah must be fulfilled. I think you have not read the Quran or maybe you have the wrong copy of the Quran....The matter of his adopted son has nothing to do with his Prophethood, rather it is a rule in the Shariah that an adopted son cannot be given ones name because it effects the linage...the reason you have given of succession is interference in Divine Matters and one should avoid giving such remarks because the Hidden Knowledge is with God alone....Regarding the context of the verses it is clear that God is relating the story of Adam and Eve, how they disobeyed and there bodies where revealed, under this topic God advices us to abstrain from any kind of evil acts......and the verse If one ponders over the whole text he will not find it difficult to understand that this message goes out to the Children of Adam and God tells them that our Apostles will come to you, and He fulfilled the promise by sending Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, ...................................................................and Muhammed.....Keep in mind that the Quran has three slots PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE...and this verse refers to the Past Slot as it talks about Adam and his children....Regards and Thanks for reading
