Truth about Khatm-e-Nabuwat — Page 26
is concerned it remains open after him in the form of reflex-prophethood. The point itt issue therefore is not a particular brand of Prophethood but abstract prophethood; the category aspect being irrelevant here and really related to the needs, and conditions of time. And as we have explained, the need for law-bearing prophethood and independent prophethood having been satisfied with the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace of Allah be on him and His blessings), as his law is complete and abiding and no new code is called for thereafter and because he is perfect and possesses extraordinary sublimatory powers, there remains no occasion for independent prophethood. In short, the issue relates to absolute prophethood and not to a particular category. Absolute prophethood is still in currency and not under a bar. Again a question arises here that since according to the Quranic verse 'you are the best people raised for mankind' the Muslims excel all other Ummats, then how is it that while prophets like Solomon, Zachariya. John and Christ appeared in the Mosaic dispensation, so far only one prophet has been raised in the Muammadan dispensation; if prophethood is a. favour and • if the Muslim Ummat excels others, there should have been more prophets in this U mmat than in the· Mosaic dispensation. The answer to this question is that while undoubtedly many prophets appeared in the Mosaic dispensation, they received tlte favour directly from God who commissioned them to serve the Mosaic law and people; they owed it not to th~ir allegiance to Moses nor to his personal beneticencc and ther. efore their advent in no way redounds to the superiority Qf the Mosaic dispensation. On the other hand, the prophet who has appeared in the Muhammadan dis- pensation. is a <1piritual heir to the Holy Prophet (Allah's blessings on him and His peace ); and his 26