Al Islam

1ST Q - PROPHET-HOOD CONTINUED?

The first question deals with the continuation or otherwise of the prophet-hood. Before we start arguing and quoting evidence from the holy Quran, it is pertinent to clear a common misunderstanding spread by mullah. By quoting the verse (4) of Sura Mayeda,

This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed my favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion.

They claim that Allah has perfected the religion for us and has completed the blessing. So, we don’t need any prophet. This is a clear and manifest deception and shatters away by looking at other verses of the Quran. It is not customary for every prophet to bring new religion. In the following verse Allah mentions that there were some prophets with whom Allah talked, meaning thereby that He gave them Sharia and for some He just elevated their ranks meaning that they were just made prophets and no new law was given to them.

These messengers have We exalted some of them above others; among them there are those to whom Allah spoke; and some of them He exalted in degrees of rank. And We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs and strengthened him with the spirit of holiness. And if Allah had so willed, those that came after them would not have fought with one another after clear Signs had come to them; but they did disagree. Of them were some who believed, and of them were some who disbelieved. And if Allah had so willed, they would not have fought with one another; but Allah does what He desires [2:254]

Similarly, in the following verse Allah mentions that many prophets of Israelites did not bring any new religion, but were acting upon Torah.

Surely, We sent down the Torah wherein was guidance and light. By it did the Prophets, who were obedient to US, judge for the Jews, as did the godly people and those learned in the Law, because they were required to preserve the Book of Allah, and because they were guardians over it. Therefore fear not men but fear ME; and barter not My signs for a paltry price. And whoso judges not by that which Allah has sent down, these it is who are the disbelievers. [5:45]

The second part of the verse (4) of Sura Mayeda is about perfection of Blessing. The interpretation of non-Ahmadi mullah, that by “ATMAMTO ALAIKUM NE’MATI” means that I have finished the prophet-hood upon you, is rebutted by the following verse of Sura Yousaf, wherein same word and same process has been stated not only for Hadhrat Yousaf but also for his grand fathers Hadhrat Ishaq and Hadhrat Ibraheem.

'And thus, as thou hast seen, thy Lord shall choose thee and teach thee the interpretations of things divine and perfect His favour upon thee and upon the family of Jacob as He perfected it upon thy two forefathers - Abraham and Isaac. Verily, thy Lord is All-Knowing, Wise' [12:7]

IS THE BOOK SUFFICIENT ALONE?

Some people claim that we have a perfect and comprehensive book like Quran and we do not need any prophet. In the following verse Allah mentions that only book cannot guide, but it is given to a person who guides people.

Alif Lam Ra. This is a Book which We have revealed to thee that thou mayest bring mankind out of the depths of darkness into light, by the command of their Lord, to the path of the Mighty, the Praiseworthy --[14:2]

In the following verse of Sura Bani Israel, a common characteristic of non-believers is mentioned who want the prophet to bring the book only and not teach them its contents.

'Or, thou have a house of gold or thou ascend up into heaven; and we will not believe in thy ascension until thou send down to us a Book that we can read.' Say, 'Holy is my Lord! I am but a mortal sent as a Messenger.' [17:94]

Against the whims and desires of the non-believers, Allah has specifically mentioned in the Holy Quran the responsibility and duty of the holy Prophet (pbuh) to teach them the Book and wisdom, not to handover the book only for their reading pleasure.

He it is Who has raised among the unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves who recites unto them His Signs, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and Wisdom though before that they were in manifest error; [62:3]

Now, we proceed to bring evidence from the holy Quran regarding the possibility of prophet-hood.

CHILDREN OF ADAM

O children of Adam, If Messengers come to you from among yourselves, rehearsing My Signs unto you, then whoso shall fear God and do good deeds, on them shall come no fear nor shall they grieve. [7:36]

As we are all children of Adam, the possibility of prophet-hood is still open to us. Allah has stated that He shall raise Messengers “from among us” not “from above us” as non-Ahmadis are waiting for Jesus to come down from heavens.

Secondly, the outcome of heeding to those prophets is deliverance from fear and grief. The situation of post colonial Muslim Ummah specially after 9/11 shows that they are engulfed in the fear and grief, which is apparently the repercussion of denial of the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him).

REWARDS OF OBEDIENCE

Allah has taught us a great prayer in Sura Fateha to guide us to the path of those whom He has blessed.

Guide us in the right path -- The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, those who have not incurred Thy displeasure, and those who have not gone astray. [1:6,7]

In the following verse Allah has explained that who are those blessed people.

And whoso obeys Allah and this Messenger shall be among those on whom Allah has bestowed His blessings - the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous. And an excellent company are they. [4:70]

The context of this verse also explains this subject. In the preceding verses (60 to 69), the Muslims have been advised to obey Allah and His prophet which can ultimately lead them to the right path and then the above verse explains that to be on right path means to be amongst one of these four categories.

Non-Ahmadi scholars argue that in this verse the word “Ma’a” means “with” and not “amongst” and even this companionship shall be in the world hereafter and not in this world. So the righteous people shall be “with” those blessed people but not amongst them. This interpretation deprives the Muslim Ummah of all categories and ranks of righteousness. According to this point of view no Muslim can ever become even a righteous person, let alone a prophet. Further, how those who do not get this status in this world can achieve them in the hereafter. Allah says in verse 73 of Sura Bani Israel that whosoever is blind in this world shall be raised as blind in the hereafter. Thus, in order to get a status in the next world, one has to have that in this world.

Secondly, this word “Ma’a” has been used in the following verses of the holy Quran expressing the meaning of “amongst”.

And it moved along with them amid waves like mountains. And Noah cried unto his son, while he was keeping apart, 'O my son, embark with us and be not with the disbelievers.' [11:43]

God said, 'O Iblis, what has happened to thee that thou wouldst not be among those who submit?' [15:33]

'Our Lord, we have heard a Crier calling us unto faith, saying, 'Believe ye in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us, therefore, our sins and remit from us our evils and in death join us with the righteous;' [3:194]

THE IMPERFECT VERB (MUZAR’E)

The imperfect verb in Arabic grammar has the dual time expression, i.e., present and future. A muzar’e verb expresses present and future at the same time. The following verses of the Quran clearly manifest the possibility of prophet-hood.

And when there comes to them a Sign, they say, 'We will not believe until we are given the like of that which Allah's Messengers have been given.' Allah knows best where to place His Message. Surely, humiliation before Allah and a severe punishment shall afflict the offenders because of their plotting. [6:125]

Allah chooses His Messengers from among angels and from among men. Surely, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. [22:76]

He is of most exalted attributes, Lord of the Throne. He sends His Word by His command to whomsoever of His servants He pleases, that He may give warning of the Day of Meeting, [40:16]

THE WAYS OF REVELATION

In the following verse Allah has mentioned three ways of His communication or revelation to people. If revelation has been discontinued, according to non-Ahmadi interpretation, then Allah wouldn’t have mentioned these ways in an ever-lasting book like Quran.

And it is not for a man that Allah should speak to him except by direct revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger to reveal by His command what He pleases. Surely, He is High, Wise. [42:52]

HE WHO DOESN’T TALK IS NOT GOD

In this verse Allah has mentioned the incidence when the Israelites took the golden calf as their god. Allah negates the divinity of that calf by merely saying that how can that calf be their god when it doesn’t talk to them. It clearly shows that to talk is an attribute of God and we cannot think of a God who doesn’t talk and communicate with people.

And the people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, a calf - a lifeless body, producing a lowing sound. Did they not see that it spoke not to them, nor guided them to any way? They took it for worship and they were transgressors. [7:149]

DENIAL OF FINALITY OF PROPHETHOOD

'And, indeed, they thought, even as you think that Allah would never raise any Messenger, [72:8]

And Joseph, indeed, came to you before with clear proofs, but you ceased not to be in doubt concerning that which he came to you till, when he died, you said, 'Allah will never raise a Messenger after him.' Thus does Allah adjudge as having gone astray every transgressor, doubter - [40:35]

In the above two verses Allah has categorically denied the cessation of prophet-hood and calls those, who claim that now no new prophet shall ever come, as gone astray, transgressors and doubters. These verses also show that finality of prophet-hood is not a new belief and those who adopt such belief are doubters of God’s mercy.

IS THE PROPHET-HOOD BENEFICIAL OR HARMFUL?

A believer cannot even think for a moment that prophet-hood is harmful for mankind. All religious people believe that Allah established prophet-hood for the benefit and guidance of mankind. So how can a beneficial thing be terminated, as we see Allah’s principle in the following verse that beneficial things for mankind stay in the earth.

He sends down water from the sky so that the valleys flow according to their measure and the flood bears on its surface swelling foam. And from that which they heat in the fire, seeking to make ornaments or utensils, comes out a foam similar to it. Thus does Allah illustrate truth and falsehood. Now, as to the foam it goes away as rubbish and perishes but as to that which benefits men, it stays in the earth. Thus does Allah set forth parables. [13:18]

ANGELS’ DESCENT

As for those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah;' and then remain steadfast, the angels descend on them, reassuring them: 'Fear not, nor grieve; and rejoice in the glad tidings of the Garden which you were promised; [41:31]

This self-explanatory verse is clearly heralding the descent of angels upon those who believe and remain steadfast and communication of good news to them from their Lord. How can one believe discontinuation of Allah’s communication with His servants?

PURE TREE

Dost thou not see how Allah sets forth a parable of a good word? It is like a good tree, whose root is firm and whose branches reach into heaven? It brings forth its fruit at all times by the command of its Lord. And Allah sets forth parables for men that they may be reminded. [14:25, 26]

These verses of Sura Ibraheem tell us that the likeness of Islam is of a pure tree which has its roots firm in the ground and its branches are reaching heavens and that it shall always produce its fruits.

REVIVAL OF DEAD EARTH

Has not the time yet arrived for those who believe that their hearts should feel humbled at the remembrance of Allah and at the truth which has come down to them, and that they should not become like those who were given the Book before them, but because the period of the bestowal of Allah's grace upon them was prolonged for them, their hearts became hardened, and many of them became rebellious? Know, then, that Allah quickens the earth after its death. We have made the Signs manifest to you, that you may understand. [57: 17, 18]

In these verses of Sura Hadeed Allah has mentioned an irrefutable and invariable principle that when a long time passes after a prophet, his followers become perverts and their hearts become hard. This hardness and deviation is corrected with revival of message through another prophet. The allegory mentioned here is that of earth when it becomes dry and hard after a long dry period without rain and it is revitalized by rain.

THE “BELIEVERS” ARE ASKED TO BELIEVE!

O ye who believe! believe in Allah and His Messenger and in the Book, which He had revealed to His Messenger, and the Book, which He revealed before it. And whoso disbelieves in Allah and His angels, and His Books and His Messengers and the Last Day, has surely strayed far away. [4:137]

O ye who believe! Shall I point out to you a commerce, which will deliver you from a painful punishment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your persons. That is better for you, if you did but know. [61: 11, 12]

In the above verses, the “believers” are being called upon to believe and help any new prophet raised amongst them. This commandment is in accordance with the “COVENANT” taken by Allah from all the prophets.

THE COVENANT OF THE PROPHETS

And remember the time when Allah took a covenant from the people through the Prophets, saying, 'Whatever I give you of the Book and Wisdom and then there comes to you a Messenger, fulfilling that which is with you, you shall believe in him and help him.' And He said, 'Do you agree, and do you accept the responsibility which I lay upon you in this matter?' They said, 'We agree.' He said, 'Then bear witness and I am with you among the witnesses.' [3:82]

In this verse, Allah has mentioned the covenant, which He took from all the prophets regarding acceptance and help of any such prophet who testifies the teachings they already have. Non-Ahmadi religious scholars argue that Hadhrat Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is not included in this covenant. This misconception is cleared by the following verse wherein Allah has specifically mentioned the holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) by addressing him.

And call to mind when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from thee, and from Noah and Abraham, and Moses and Jesus, son of Mary, and We indeed, took from them a solemn covenant; [33:8]

This verse explains that this covenant was not only taken from the previous prophets but also from the holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him). According to this covenant, the Muslim Ummah has been made responsible that whenever a prophet comes to them who testify Islam and accept the holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) as the Seal of the Prophets, they have to accept him and support him.

In the issue of April 1988 of the magazine “Khatm-e-Nabuwwat” a mullah tried to mislead the people by writing that in verse -158 of Sura Al-A’raaf Allah has mentioned that the holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) has freed the Muslims from their responsibility which is the same responsibility mentioned in the verse of covenant as no new prophet is to come whom we have to accept and support.

The first reply of this statement is that in the last verses of Sura Baqara Allah mentioned that Allah does not put such burden on anybody which they can not carry or have to throw away later.

Secondly the word mentioned in verse-158 of Sura Al-A’araff is (ISRAHUM) means their responsibility which represents those burdens which humans assume themselves and later they wish to throw away but can’t do that without divine help; whereas the word mentioned in the verse under discussion is (ISREE) my responsibility.

Once, the companions of the holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) decided on their own not to share beds with their wives during Ramadan, although there is no such commandment in the holy Quran. Later, those who couldn’t keep their self-imposed restriction came to the holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) and sought forgiveness. Upon this Allah revealed the verse that it is lawful upon you to go to your wives during Ramadan except that you are in mandatory seclusion (aitkaaf). So this burden, responsibility or restriction was imposed by the companions themselves and not by Allah.

Similarly Allah mentioned in Sura Alam-Nashra about the holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) that Allah removed “his burden” which was going to break his back.

Have We not opened for thee thy bosom, And removed from thee thy burden, Which had well-nigh broken thy back? [94:2-4]

It is therefore very well clear that Allah doesn’t put any responsibility on humans which He later had to remove being excessive and improportioned to their capacity. It is humans who assume such heavy responsibilities which Allah later removes from them.

Allah has reminded this “covenant” in the following verse exhorting people to fulfill their promise and believe in the prophet who hasn’t brought a new religion but calling them towards their own God they already believe in.

Why is it that you believe not in Allah, while the Messenger calls you to believe in your Lord, and He has already taken a covenant from you, if indeed you are believers? [57:9]

The repercussions and consequences of breaking this covenant have been mentioned in the following verse:

And those who break the covenant of Allah, after having established it and cut asunder what Allah has commanded to be joined, and act corruptly in the earth, on them is the curse of Allah and they shall have a grievous abode. [13:26]

We are very fortunate to witness all these incidents happening before us. Those who broke the covenant by rejecting the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him), did not stop there and cut that which they were ordained to join, i.e., the unity of Ummah by declaring Ahmadis as non-Muslim and then they started doing demonstrations and created law and order situation in the earth. The wrath of God fell upon them and now they find no peace anywhere.