Ahmadiyyat - The Renaissance of Islam — Page 57
THE REN AISSANCE OF ISLAM 57 truth. What is it then that they will believe instead of [ba'ad] Allah and His Signs?' (45:7). Hazrat Imam Sha'rani has very clearly affirmed that the statement of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, that there would be no prophet after him simply means that there will be no prophet after him bearing a new law (Al-Yawaqitwal Jawahar, Vol. II, p. 27). Hazrat Sheikh Akbar Muhyuddin Ibne Arabi has stated: 'The prophethood that terminated with the person of the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, was the law-bearing prophethood and not just prophethood itself. . . . ' This is the meaning of his statement that Messen- gership and prophethood had been terminated and that there would be no messenger or prophet after him, that is to say, there would be no prophet with a law other than his law and that anyone who comes would be subject to his law (Futuha- te-Makkiyya, Vol. II, p. 73). In another place the same eminent, saintly divine has said: 'Prophethood would continue to be open to people till the Day of Judgment, though law-making has terminated, yet law-making is but one element of prophethood' (Futuhate- Makkiyya, p. 100). He has also said: 'So far as law-bearing prophethood is concerned, it came to an end with Muhammad, peace be on him, and therefore, there can be no law-bearing prophet after him. . . but Allah in His graciousness towards His servants has continued general prophethood shorn of law-bearing' (FeisusallIikam, pp. 140-1). Hazrat Shah Waliullah Muhaddis of Delhi, who was acclaimed as the Reformer of the 12th century of the Hegira, and was highly revered for his wide learning and great erudition, has stated: 'Prophets ended with the Holy Prophet, that is to say, there shall not be after him one whom Allah the Holy invests with a new law binding over people' (T ajhima- te-Ilahiyya, NO. 3 5). Hazrat Maulvi Abul Qasem Nanotvi, the renowned founder of the Deoband Academy, who died in 1889, stated: 'In the conception of the masses the Holy Prophet, peace be