With Love to Muhammad (sa) - The Khatam-un-Nabiyyin — Page 10
10 With Love to Muhammad sa the Kh ā tam-un-Nabiyy ī n Based on the above explanatory statements of Im ā m R ā ghib, we can conclude that the words kh ā tam or kh ā tim have the following meanings: Primary Meanings ( Haq ī q ī ): 1. Stamp or Ring 2. To create an effect or impression Secondary or Applied Meanings ( Maj ā z ī ): 1. The obtained or received impression 2. To close something 3. To bring something to an end 4. To perfect something. It can now be concluded that there are several meanings of the words kh ā tam / kh ā tim and these respectively apply based on the context. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jam ā ‘at has never denied the fact that one of the secondary or applied meanings of kh ā tam is to close something or to bring something to an end. Our argument is that these meanings do not apply to the context in which the phrase Kh ā tam-an-Nabiyy ī n has been used in the Holy Qur’an (33:41). Instead, Kh ā tam translates to mean Seal in sense of praise. As this is a unique title conferred on the Holy Prophet sa , its literal translation should rely on the most appropriate primary meanings, whereas secondary meanings should be utilized to understand the figurative connotations of the literal meaning.