Mahzarnama (The Memorandum) — Page 92
92 Mahzarnama importance usually described only as a passing reference? Furthermore, as we have noted earlier, prophethood has no relevance to whether or not one is the father of a male issue. We must, therefore, ponder over the Holy Quran with a view to finding out if there is any statement to this effect, in any context, according to which if one is proven to be not the father of any adult male, then the application of the word Prophet to him would become doubtful? This is so because the word laakin in the Arabic language, and its synonymous words in every language of the world, are used for removing some kind of doubt. When we peruse the Holy Quran to resolve this puzzle, we find the following verses: Surely We have given thee abundance of good. So pray thy Lord and offer sacrifice. Surely it is thy enemy who is without issue. (108:2-4) This verse was revealed in the Meccan period and it contains a refutation of the taunts from the idolaters of Mecca, directed at the Holy Prophet sa after the death of his son. They used to say: He does not have any male issue. His enterprise will come to an end, sooner or later. [Al-Bahrul-Muheet] After Surah Al-Kauthar was revealed, the Muslims had started thinking that the Holy Prophet would have further children who would survive. But what transpired was that, unlike their anticipation, the Holy Prophet sired no other son after that, who might have survived. But, on the other hand, the male progeny of his enemies survived, concerning whom it had been prophesied that Surely it is thy enemy who is without issue. (108:4)