From: merchant@davidsys.com (Rukhsana Merchant)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Re: The Finality of Allah's Apostle (SAW)
Date: 23 Nov 92 01:06:59 GMT


In article <1992Nov20.173356.27837@bernina.ethz.ch>, nadeem@igpho (Nadeem Malik) writes:
" merchant@davidsys.com (Rukhsana Merchant) writes:
" : 
" : 
" : 	The Finality of Allah's Apostle (SAW).
" : 
" : 
" : 	Abu Haraira report Allah's Messenger (SAW) as saying:
" : 	The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles
" : 	before me is that of a person who built a house
"         ^^^^^^
" : 	quite imposing and bueatiful, but for one
" : 	brick in one of its corners.   People would
" : 	go around it, appreciating the building, but
" : 	saying: Why has the brick not been fixed here?  He
" : 	said:  I am that brick and I am the last of the 
" : 	Apostles.
" : 
" : 		Sahih Muslim.
" : 
" 
" Answer: Note the word "before". If the Holy Prophet (SAW) was absolutely
" the last prophet, then the inclusion of this word is illogical. Why not
" just say "The similitude of mine and the that of the Apostles is that ..
" .." ? Clearly there is a meaning in this conditional term "before".
" It is saying that sure enough Muhammad (SAW) has completed the pinnacle
" of Prophethood and none may come to advance it. But this says nothing
" against possible Messengers afterwards who may come to revive Muslims
" after decay. Sure, it dosn't actually say that such Messengers will
" actually come, but it leaves open the possibility that may they do so in
" the future. This is clear and logical I think.

	Hazrat Qazi Ayaz (R.A.A.) says that a person who invents or
	introduces in Islam something new which is not to be found
	in the Book of Allah (Holy Quran) or the traditions of the Holy
	Prophet (S.A.W.) is condemned (or is to be treated as a renegade);
	because Islam is now complete in all respects and there is 
	no necessity for any additions, innovation or deletion.  As such,
	such a person attempts to introduce something unpleasant
	and unwanted in the Sharia.  Faith comprises belief in the divine
	revelations and practices and percepts of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
	and his (immediate) followers.  Therefore such a person is to be
	considered as having betrayed Islam.
		Sahih Muslim.


	Hazrat Ayesha (R.A.A.) relates that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
	'If somebody tries to introduce into this faith of ours (Islam) something
	which is not a part of it, it is to be rejected (and that person is 
	condemned).
		Bukhari and Muslim

	Allah the Exalted, has said:

	So what remains there after the Truth (is manifest) save the stray.
		(10:32)
	We have neglected nothing in the Book (of our decrees).
		(6:38)
	And if ye have a dispute concernign any matter, refer it to 
	Allah and the Messenger.  (4:59)

	This is my path, so follow it.  Follow not other ways lest
	ye be parted from his way. (6:153)

	Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind):  If you love Allah, follow me.
	Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. (3:31)

	Whatever it be wherein you differ, the decison thereof is with
	Allah....What! Have they partners (of Allah) who have established
	for them some religion without the permission of Allah?  Had it
	not been for the Decree of judgment (on the Day of Reckoning), 
	the matter would have been decided between them (at once).  But 
	verily the wrongdoers will have a grievous Penalty on the 
	(Day of Judgment). Al Shura 42: 10, 21

And the words of Allah (SWT) are true.

" : --
" : 31. Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you
" : and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, MercifuL
" : 
" : 32. Say: Obey Allah and the Apostle; but if they turn back, then
" : surely Allah does not love the unbelievers.
" : 
" : The Holy Quran: The Family of Imran.
" : 
" : --
" : 
" : May Allah (swt) guide us. Amin.
" : 
" : -Rukhsana Merchant
" 

[stuff deleted]

" such an important matter. Most of the hadith that apparently speak
" of termination of Prophethood can be quite well explained either
" as referring to a limited category of Prophets (like "before" in
" the hadith above quoted by Miss Rukhsana), or they contain some
" other reasonable meaning. These things I am preparing, so please
" watch out for them. Thank you.
" 
" By the way there are also about 4 or 5 verses of the Holy Quran
" that talk of future prophets ... that I am preparing also. These are,
" to say the least, totally decisiev on the issue.
" 

	It is He, Who has sent down to you (O Muhammed) the Book; 
	in it are verses basic or fundamental.  They are the 
	foundation of the Book; others are allegorical; but those
	in whose hearts is perversity, follow the part thereof that
	is allegorical, seeking discord and searching for its
	hidden meaning, but no one knows its hidding meaning except
	Allah.  And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say,
	"We believe in the Book, the whole of it is from our Lord";
	and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.
	Al-e-Imran 3:7.
And the words of Allah (SWT) are true.

" 
" In the mean time, let us pray for Allah's guidence. Amen
" 
"  Nadeem Malik, nadeem@p.igp.ethz.ch


-Rukhsana Merhant