The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 180
180 Essence of Islam-III and blessings of Allah be upon him) clearly indicated that it did not mean the second coming of a Prophet of Is- rael himself; for he had repeatedly affirmed that there would be no Prophet after him. The Hadith 145 was so well-known that no one entertained any doubt about it. The Holy Qur'an, every word of which is con- clusive and final, had also confirmed it in the verse وَلكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّنَ 146 لا نبي بعدي that Prophethood had come to an end with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. ) Then how was it possible that anyone, with the status of an independent Prophet, should come after the Holy Prophetsa? Such an event would altogether disrupt the whole pattern of Islām. To assert, on the other hand, that Jesus as would come a second time, bereft of his Prophethood, would be the height of impertinence and shamelessness. Can a Prophet like Jesus (peace be on him), who is accepted of God Almighty and one of His favourites, ever be deprived of his Prophethood? [Kitab-ul-Bariyyah, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 13, pp. 217-218, footnote] The 'Descent' or the 'Coming' does not mean the coming of the Messiah son of Mary; it is actually a figure of speech signifying the coming of someone resembling the son of Mary; and, in accordance with Divine intimation and revelation, it is the present writer-my own humble self-to whom it applies. I am only too well aware that as soon as this view of mine, which is based on clear and definite revelation, is 145 There is no Prophet after me. ' [Publisher] 146 'But he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. ' Al-Ahzāb, 33:41 [Publisher]