The translation of this verse is as follows:
“Muhammad 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 full knowledge of all things.” (33:41)
In Pakistan, from time to time, people in the position of power weaponize the concept of the concept of Khatm-e-nabuwwat [finality of prophethood] to incite ordinary Muslims and increase their falling popularity ratings. These so-called sympathisers of Islam try to justify their incitement against Ahmadis in the name of “the honour of the Holy Prophet (sa)”. To gain public popularity, various political parties incite the public against Ahmadis to further their own political agenda and vested interests. Ahmadis are a soft target for these political leaders. As far as the Ahmadiyya Community is concerned, neither have we ever asked a foreign power to grant us the status of ‘Muslims’ before the law and the constitution, nor have we ever begged any Pakistani government for this. We do not require a certificate from any assembly or government in order to be called Muslims. We call ourselves Muslims.
We call ourselves Muslims because we are Muslims. Allah the Exalted and His Messenger (sa) have declared us to be Muslims. We pronounce the Kalima [declaration of faith]: [there is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His messenger]. We believe in every pillar of Islam and article of faith. We have faith in the Holy Qur’an and believe the Holy Prophet (sa) to be Khatam-un-Nabiyeen as Allah the Exalted has stated in the Holy Qur’an and as I have just recited. We have firm conviction that the Holy Prophetsaw is Khatam-un-Nabiyeen. As a matter of fact, the Promised Messiah (as) has very clearly and elaborately written on many occasions that the person, who denies the [concept of] Khatm-e-Nubuwwat, I consider him to be irreligious and outside the fold of Islam. He is neither an Ahmadi, nor a Muslim. Hence, this unrest which they create against us and this allegation which they level against us that we deny the [concept of] Khatm-e-Nubuwwat and that we, God forbid, do not believe the Holy Prophet(saw) to be Khatam-un-Nabiyeen, is an extremely foul allegation.
In one of his sermons, Hadhrat Khalifat-ul-Masih II (ra) said that this allegation is raised against us and we inform them of their error by saying that we do not reject the [concept of] Khatm-e-Nubuwwat ash we read the Holy Qur’an, have faith and believe in the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Qur’an declares the Holy Prophet to be Khatam-un-Nabiyeen As a matter of fact, scholars of other countries, being influenced by these so-called scholars from Pakistan, say that, God forbid, Ahmadis do not believe in the Holy Qur’an and consider the revelations of Mirza Sahib to be superior to the Holy Qur’an. Hence, when Arabs discover the truth for themselves and enter the fold of Ahmadiyyat by doing Bai’at [pledging initiation], they tell us that when we asked our scholars about their view regarding Ahmadiyyat, non-Ahmadi scholars told us such kind of things in that Ahmadis do not believe in the Holy Qur’an, they have made a separate Qur’an and book, they do not believe the Holy Prophet (sa) to be the last prophet, rather, they believe Mirza Sahib to be the last prophet, their Hajj is different, they do not go for Hajj, they have a different Qibla [direction of prayer] and they do not pray facing the Khana Ka’ba [house of God in Mecca]. These converts say that when we researched into this, the falsehood of these so-called scholars became exposed. Thus, by telling lies, these Maulvis are in one way doing Tabligh [preaching the true message of Islam] for us. We categorically and absolutely believe that the Holy Prophet (sa) is Khatam-un-Nabiyeen. We believe in the Holy Quran and the Promised Messiah(as) it to be the fountain of all virtues and declare the Holy Prophet(as) to be Khatam-un-Nabiyeen.
One of the revelations of the Promised Messiah(as) is: “Every virtue is found in the Holy Qur’an”. Similarly, the Promised Messiah (as) also said that those who honour the Qur’an, will be honoured in heaven. The revelations of the Promised Messiah(as) are subservient to the Holy Qur’an. They carry no status independently and on their own. Similarly, there are countless extracts of the Promised Messiah(as) with regards to the Holy Prophet(saw) being Khatam-un-Nabiyeen. Apart from this, there is this revelation in which the very phrase Khatam-un-Nabiyeenhas been used. Furthermore, the Promised Messiah (as)(as) writes in his book, Tajalliyat-e-Ilahiyyah [Divine Manifestations] that if I was not a part of the Ummah [nation] of the Holy Prophet (sa) and would not be a follower of his, even if my deeds were equivalent to mountains, I would not have received this honour of Divine communion. This is due to the fact that now, apart from the prophethood of Muhammad (sa), every other prophethood has come to an end.
Thus, the Promised Messiah (as) is also subservient to the Holy Prophet (sa) and his revelations are also subservient to and an elaboration of the Holy Qur’an. If we, God forbid, considered the revelations of the Promised Messiah (as) to be superior to the Holy Qur’an, then why is it that today we are we are making financial sacrifices for the sake of publishing translations of the Holy Qur’an. Instead of this, we should be publishing the revelations of the Promised Messiah (as). Until now, the translation of the Holy Qur’an has been completed and published in seventy-five languages, whereas the translation into some other languages is still in progress and they will soon be published, InshaAllah. The great Islamic governments and affluent religious organisations should state that in how many different languages they have published the translation of the Holy Qur’an.
It is us Ahmadis, who understand the true meaning and spirit of Khatam-un-Nabiyeen and it is Ahmadis, who are publishing God Almighty’s declaration of the Holy Prophet (sa) being the Khatam-un-Nabiyeen in various countries of the world and in their respective languages. Despite this, these people raise allegations that Ahmadis, God forbid, deny the [concept of] Khatm-e-Nubuwwat. The Promised Messiah (as) has taught us such understanding and comprehension of Khatm-e-Nubuwwat, which these people, who claim to be the custodians of Khatm-e-Nubuwwat, cannot even come close to. The Promised Messiah (as) said in one gathering, “It should also be remembered that the allegation that is raised against me and my Jama’at, that we do not believe the Holy Prophet (sa) to be Khatam-un-Nabiyeen is a grave fabrication against us. The conviction, comprehension and insight, with which we believe the Holy Prophet(saw) to be Khatam-un-Nabiyeen, others do not even believe in the smallest fraction thereof, nor are they capable of doing so..”
Whilst explaining the true essence of the meaning of Khatam-e-Nabuwwat, the Promised Messiah (as) says: “God has sent us such a Prophet (sa), who is the seal of believers, seal of the holy people and the seal of the prophets, and has sent down on him this book which is the most perfect book and is the seal of all the books. The Holy Prophet (sa), who is the seal of the prophets, through him prophethood was completed. … So all different qualities which were given to all the prophets, from Adam (as) to Jesus (as) Son of Mary were all brought together in the Person of the Holy Prophet (sa). And so it was in this way he was regarded as Khatam-ul-Nabiyeen. And just like the Holy Prophet (sa) is Khatam-ul-nabiyeen [seal of the prophets], in the same way, all the various teachings of different religions and different exhortations have been perfected by the Holy Quran, and thus the Holy Quran has become Khatam-ul-Kutub.’
While elaborating on the meaning of Khatam-ul-Nabiyeen, the Promised Messiah (as) says in one place: “I wish to reaffirm that the principle meaning of the expression Khatam-ul-nabiyeen is that the qualities of Prophet hood beginning with Adam (as) found perfection in the Holy Prophet (sa). This is the obvious meaning. The other meaning is that the circle of the excellences of Prophet hood was completed with the advent of the Holy Prophet (sa). It is absolutely true that the Holy Qur’an perfected all the previous teachings which were incomplete and thus prophethood also reached its perfection’
The Promised Messiah (as) says “The seal of the prophet hood is one of the signs of the prophet hood of Holy Prophet (sa)” The fact that the Holy Prpohet (sa) is Khatam-ul-nabiyeen [seal of the prophets] is one of his signs and it is necessary for every Muslim to believe in it.
As I mentioned before, if someone does not believe in the Khatam-e-Nabuwwat then the Promised Messiah (as) says that such a person is not a Muslim and he falls outside the fold of Islam. While confirming the true status of the term Khatam-ul-nabiyeen, and the eminence of Islam and its superiority on other religions, the Promised Messiah (as) states: “When arguments and wisdom reach its pinnacle, that is, the name given to Khatm-e-Nabuwwat [finality of prophethood]. Beyond this, those who criticise are nothing short of an atheist.”
The Promised Messiah (as) states: “From the Arabs arose the moon that would illuminate every nation and shine its light upon every region.” This is the status of the Holy Prophet (sa) that he was to enlighten every nation and every city and his light was to reach every corner of every area. The Promised Messiah (as) states: “It is only the Quran that has the honour of succeeding over all religions of the world when dealing with the matter of Tauheed [oneness of God] and prophethood.” The proofs and arguments presented by the Holy Quran with regards to Tauheed and prophethood are such that were not granted to any religion. Thus, this in turn means that the faith was perfected and the Holy Prophet (sa) was to be the Seal of the Prophets (sa). The Promised Messiah (as) further states: “It is a true honour that such a book has been bestowed to the Muslims.”
Similarly, if the advent of the Holy Prophet (sa) had not taken place then the morals, guidance, miracles, and the spiritual powers of the former prophets would have been criticized. But the Holy Prophet (sa) came and declared them to be pure. Thus, this is the reality of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat that the Promised Messiah (as). This was the work of the Promised Messiah (as) and through his knowledge and training the Ahmadiyya Community is continuing this. Yet despite this in their [the opponents] eyes we are disbelievers and they are believers.
With regards to the true nature of his claim, the Promised Messiah (as) explains by saying: “The Seeker of Justice should bear in mind that in no circumstance has this humble self ever been a claimant to prophethood or apostleship. Furthermore, is the use in every speech of such words with the literal meanings commonly found thereof in lexicons not indicative of heresy? Therefore, I do not like to do this as there is a possibility that thereby ordinary Muslims may be deceived. That notwithstanding, I am not able to hold back, on the basis of being ordained to do so, from stating those discourses and dialogues which God Almighty has blessed me with, in which the words Prophethood’ and ‗Apostleship’ were extensively used. (Since God Almighty has used these words therefore I can’t conceal them). I say this time and time again that in the words Prophet or Messenger used in the revelations in my respect are not to be implied in the actual usage of the words. In reality I bear witness with all my might that our Prophet (saw) is the Seal of the Prophets, and that after him there shall appear no prophet, new or old.”
Huzoor (aba) gave many other faith-inspiring quotations from the writings of the Promised Messiah (as) elaborating the concept of Khatam-e-Nabuwat that it means that all the excellences have reached their pinnacle in the Holy Prophet (sa), who is greatest among all the prophets and messengers of God Almighty.
The Promised Messiah (as) has on countless occasions explained the true meaning of Khatam-e-Nabuwat and its true status and also his own status in respect to Thus, in one place he states: ‘in terms of worldly examples, we can cite the example of Khatam-e-Nabuwat as the moon which starts off in the form of crescent and gradually reaches its perfect stage fourteen days later where it is referred to as Badr. Similarly, the excellences and qualities reached their perfection in the Holy Prophet (sa).’
With regards to the Pakistan [national] Assembly and the change in the wording of the constitution, a few days after it had been settled, a Member of Parliament unnecessarily made an inflammatory speech. This speech was not only intended to ignite the false honour of the members of the assembly, but was an attempt to incense the general public and cause disruption throughout the country so that the entire population rises against Ahmadis. The debate against naming the University Physics Department after Professor Salam does not trouble us Ahmadis at all. If the Pakistan Assembly wish to change the name, then they can do.
Another allegation raised against Ahmadis is that they do not serve their country and are not loyal to their people. However, I can say with full conviction that today, it is only Ahmadis who follow the teaching of “Hubbul Watni Minal Iman” – [i.e. loyalty for one’s country is part of faith] and act upon it. They are willing to sacrifice their life and wealth and are currently doing so. We do not make speeches to merely advance our political agenda, nor do we have any association with politics. We are willing to sacrifice our life for our faith. We believe wholeheartedly that the Holy Prophet (sa) is the Seal of the Prophets. In order to protect his honour, we are ready to offer any sacrifice, and this is something we carry out, and God Willing, we shall continue to offer this sacrifice. It is the duty of the Ahmadis residing in Pakistan to pray for the country in which Ahmadis offered sacrifices from the outset, that may God Almighty protect it, and may He protect us from the oppressive tyrants and the self-indulging clerics. May Pakistan be counted amongst the liberated and civilised countries of the world.
