The Promised Messiah and Mahdi — Page 39
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI possible that a spiritual son of the Prophet —— a follower of Allah and the Holy Prophet may be blessed with divine favours and given the spiritual status of a prophet, but he has to be a follower. (Ummati). Now with this understanding it becomes rather easier to understand the verse of the Holy Quran in which the Holy Prophet has been called Khataman Nabiyyeen meaning 'Seal of Prophets'. "Muhammad is not the father of any of your males, but he is the Messenger of Allah and Khataman Nabiyyeen (Seal of the. Prophets); Allah has full knowledge of all things". (33:41). Same subject of earlier verses quoted is mentioned here. The taunt and objection of opponents of the Holy Prophet is referred in the first part of this verse. It is stated that the Holy Prophet is not the physical father of any males but he is a Messenger of Allah meaning that he is the spiritual father of the faithful and next his highest status as a father of faithful is further qualified and it is explained that he is the spiritual father even of Prophets. This is the true meaning of 'Khataman Nabiyyeen' or the 'Seal of the Prophets'. A seal is required to testify the truth. Being a spiritual father of the highest degree, only he can testify the truth of a prophet among his spiritual sons. A prophet after him must bear the seal of his allegiance and spiritual fatherhood. In other words no one can be an independent prophet after him. Any prophet after him will inherit his blessings and will be his reflection, like a son is the reflection of a father. His title being 'Khataman Nabiyyeen', meaning 'Father of Prophets', gives us the logical conclusion that there can be and will be such spiritual sons. who will be prophets bearing the seal of his allegiance and obedience. . Such a prophet can bring no new law and will bear the seal of his law. . In other words he must be a follower of the Holy Quran and the Holy. Prophet Mohammad. . Being a seal of prophets, only he can testify to the truth of previous prophets, like the Quran does about many previous prophets. . From what has been stated and explained it is obvious that 'Seal of Prophets' also means that the Holy Prophet was the best and greatest of all Prophets. His spiritual fatherhood has no parallel. He was mercy for the whole of mankind. To merely come at the end of a 39