Life of Ahmad — Page 843
as REMOVES A MISCONCEPTION 843 modify it after him. The use of the word A khir (last) in this sense is quite common in the Arabic language. Suy uti rh calls Ibn Taimiyya rh as the last of Mujtahid i n (original thinkers and jurists). 238 An Arab poet uses the word A khir (last) in the sense of perfect, and unique in H im a sa, B a bul Adab. There is another tradition which is said to show that there can be no Prophet after Muhammad sa. It is as follows: 'Nothing has remained of prophethood except the receiving of good news'. But the remaining portion of this Hadith helps to clear up its meaning. The Companions of the Holy Prophet sa asked him as to what he meant by the word good news. He replied, 'Noble dreams' 239 If there is nothing left of prophethood except noble dreams, why have there been people who have conversed with God? Umar ra is definitely mentioned as one with whom God spoke. 240 The commentators of Hadith have confined this statement to ordinary believers. It does not apply to spiritually advanced people who enjoy communion with God in different ways. Therefore, it cannot be a bar to the attainment of prophethood. That Prophets can come after Muhammad sa is clearly mentioned in a number of places in the Quran. 238 Al-Intib a h wan Na za ’ir , vol. 3, p. 3 10, Hyderabad. 239 Bukh a r i , Kit a b Ta‘b i r. 240 Bukh a r i , Fa d a’il-e-A sha b.