Are Ahmadis Not True Muslims? — Page 26
26 ? dawn on those with the highest stature and such persons would be declared the kh a tam of all humanity. Let us consider another example. Whenever we read about the moral excellences of the companions and khulaf a ’ of the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw , people raise the issue of who was the first—was it Hadrat ‘Al i ra or Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra ? Similarly, when we discuss accomplishments or glory, we have never read or heard which companion or khal i fah was the last to appear. Consider what the great religious elder and founder of Deoband, Maul a n a Q a sim N a n o tv i rta has said and ponder over it: The meaning of kh a tam in the eyes of the general public is that the reign of the Holy Prophet commences after the former prophets and H u du r is last of the prophets. It will dawn on the learned that to be at the beginning or the end does not carry any weight. Therefore, appreciation of the Holy Prophet saw cannot be expressed by interpreting the following verse in terms of time only:. On the other hand, if the title is not considered to be a title of honour and appreciation, then the end of prophethood can be taken as the valid meaning of kh a tamiyyat. However, I am certain that this position will not be acceptable to any of the followers of Islam. ( Ta h dh i run-N a s , p. 41–42, by Maul a n a Q a sim N a n o tv i , published by Sohail Printers, edn. 3, Lahore, 2001)