The Commentary of Al-Qasidah — Page 145
The commentary of al-Qa si dah 145 following him, for only ten days, a person can attain such light, which could not have been achieved before in a thousand years. ( Sir a j-e-Mun i r, R uha n i Khaz a ’in , vol. 12, p. 82) In the second part of the couplet another reason for his superiority is explained, in that there is no superiority in appearing earlier or later; rather, superiority depends upon the excellence of attributes and a high degree of actions that are fruitful. This same concept was expressed by Muhammad Q a sim Nanautaw i , founder of D a rul- ‘Ul u m, Deoband, when he was discussing Kh a tamun-Nabiyy i n in his book Ta h dh i run-N a s : First of all we should understand the meanings of Kh a tamun- Nabiyy i n so we do not have a problem in understanding the concept. Among the general public it is understood that the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of All a h be upon him) is kh a tam in the sense that his time was after the other prophets who came before him and therefore, he is the last prophet. But it is clear to the people of wisdom that there is no superiority merely because someone happened to be earlier or later in time. Also when All a h says in his praise 29 it just cannot be correct. However, if you do not want to consider this as a meritorious compliment and that there is no intention of praise, then you can say he is kh a tam in the sense that he is last in time. But I know that from among the Muslims, no one will be able to 29 …but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of Prophets ( al-A h z a b , 33:41)