Life of Ahmad — Page 837
as REMOVES A MISCONCEPTION 837 'Say, O People, surely I am the Messenger of Allah to you all' (Al-A‘r a f 7:159). The same meaning is conveyed by the following: 'And we have, not sent you but to all the men'. (Sab a 34:29). It is said that the mission of Muhammad sa is universal; it is not confined to any particular time or place. He is a Prophet for all ages and peoples. Therefore there is no room and no possibility for the advent of any other Prophet after him. But these verses clearly refer only to the perfection of the Islamic law which is undoubtedly universal. They do not preclude the possibility or the probability of the appearance of a Prophet who comes to serve the same law and to restore it to its original purity. The more perfect a law is, the greater is the necessity of its true interpreters to bring out the true and full implications and significations of its letter without sacrificing anything of its true spirit. The laws of nature are immutable, permanent and all-pervading, but it does not mean the end of scientific research or the complete cessation of ever-progressing experts in the various domains of the natural sciences. The word of God is like the work of God. It is immutable, permanent and universal but its secrets never end. Prophets are, in fact, needed to interpret it in the light of the varying requirements of all ages and climes. Islam is a Living Religion. By following its teachings man can attain to very high spiritual distinctions. The extent of its scope, therefore, does not mean that there will be no