Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 156
156 The rising of a prophet after the Khatamar Rusul Hazral Muhammad, the Chosen One, peace and blessings be upon him, from among his own followers and as a heritage, does not in any way run counter to his status as the Katamar Rusul. Therefore, O’ ye reader, do not be among those who doubt. (Maktubai Imam Rabbani Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Thani) Hazrat Shah Waliullah of Delhi (d. 1171AH/1702AD), the most renowned Muhaddith (writer of Traditions), universally acknowledged orator and Reformer of the twelfth century of Islam, has, in his famous book Taffieemati Ilahiyya, stated under Divine inspiration: The meaning of the Holy Prophet being the Khataman Nabiyyeen is that there shall not now appear a person whom God may appoint with a Law for mankind, that is to say, there shall now be no prophet who shall come with a new Law. Hazrat Mirza Mazhar Jan Janan Naqshbandi (d. 1 195 AH/ 1781 AD), an acknowledged authority on Mysticism, well known literary person and master of poetry and prose, has said: No perfection, except the perfection of prophethood bearing Law, has ended. With respect to the other beneficences of God Almighty, He is neither miserly nor niggardly. (Maqaniati Mazhari, p. 88) Maulana Muhammad Qasim (d. 1297AH/1880AD) states: If there may appear to be equality and similarity between the original and its reflection, it does not matter, because superiority even then belongs to him, for he is the original and the Khataman Nabiyyeen. (Tahzeerun-Nas, p. 30 or 33) Hazrat Maulana Farangi Mahal, who died in 1304AH, has said: The divines of the Sunni sect also believe in and expound the fact that in the course of the Ministry of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be on him, there cannot appear a law-bearing prophet and his prophethood extends to the end of days. A prophet who appears during his ministry shall necessarily be a follower of the Law of Muhammad. ( Majmu'ah Fatawa , Maulvi Abdul Hayee, Vol. 1, p. 144) The most distinguished scholar of the Sunni sect, an ocean of rational knowledge and a very eminent scholar, Hazrat Maulana Abul Hasanat Abdul Hayee (d. 13(AAH/1886AD) of Farangi Mahal, Lucknow (on page 16 of his book Dafe-utWaswas, new edition), gives his personal convictions in connection with the 'Khatami Nubuwat' and says: After the demise of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be on him, or even during his own lifetime, it is not an impossibility for someone to be exalted to the position of a simple prophet. But a prophet with a new Law is, indeed, forbidden. The most renowned and distinguished commentator of the Holy Quran and a leader of the Sufi school of thought, Hazrat Njohyiud Din Ibni Arabi, has said: From the study and contemplation of the Darud we have arrived at the definite conclusion that there shall, from among the Muslims, certainly be persons whose status, in the matter of prophethood, shall advance to the level of the prophets, if Allah pleases. But they shall not be given any book of Law. (Patuizati Makiyya, Vol. 1, p. 545)