Elucidation of Objectives — Page 16
Tau di h-e-Mar a m 16 ought to be a Prophet, the answer is that the Holy Prophet sa did not make Prophethood as the condition precedent for the Second Messiah: it is clearly recorded that he would be a Muslim by faith and practise the Quranic law like other Muslims. He will not claim to be anyone other than a Muslim and the Im a m of Muslims. There is no doubt that All a h has appointed me, a humble person, as Mu h addath 24. A Mu h addath, in a way, is also a Prophet. It is true that his Prophethood is not absolute or complete, but he is, in part, a Prophet, for he has the honour of talking to God and the secrets of the unseen are revealed to him; like the messen- gers of God and His Prophets, the revelations he receives are free from satanic interference; he is taught the deeper meaning and essence of the Law; he is ordained exactly like Prophets and, like them, he is under obligation to openly pronounce and declare his ministry; and anyone who rejects him incurs a kind of Divine chastisement. Prophethood too requires these same characteristics to be present in the person who claims to be a Prophet. To the objection that the door to Prophethood is closed forever, and that the revelation which the Prophets receive has now ceased, my answer is that neither has the door to all kinds of Prophethood been completely closed, nor has 24 Literally one who is spoken to; someone to whom God speaks; a recipient of non-law-bearing Divine Revelation. Full explanation of the word given in the text. Note: The plural of 'Mu h addath' is 'Mu h addath i n', (refer to page 18). [Translator]