Truth about Khatm-e-Nabuwat — Page 87
well without reference to any particular context, I do not feel inclined to go into it and seek refuge behind it. I admit that the words ( There is no prophet. after me ) or similar expressions have been used on other occasions as well and the crux of the argument consists in these general references rather than in the specific incident relating to Hazrat Ali. . The word ~ also means besides which carries with it a sense. of preference as, for instance, says the Quran : (c ,:,i',. i1,_;J ~::. j!. ~I;~ I~ ~~&SW. . . . . -. ,,;;,-;;••·--,. . . . ,. ,, :- "What will the peo_ple believe after (leaving aside or besides) Allah and his verses ?"1 In the light of this meaning, the import of the tradition ~~ u,:i "':/ (there is no prophet after me) bec·omes quite clear. It will in this sense, mean that there shall be no prophet after me who bears a. law besides my Law and declaring it void; whosoever comes shall walk in my steps and serve my law and bear my ftt\g. The third meaning which relates to the passage of time signifies succession of one by the other, after one bas run the due course, in 1. certain period of time. In point of time one comes after the other. In this sense the tradition ~~ ~ "':/ ( there is no prophet after me ) will mean •'There is no prophet after the expiry of my period. " The meaning in this light is too unambiguous and manifest to call for any comment. It makes it clear that after the Holy Prophet shall come none who may in i t i a t e a new dispenstation declaring his ( the prophet's) period at an end. This meaning is certainly not 1, Suf'a Jaaia, Vcrae 'I. 87