Khatim an-Nabuwwah

Khatim an-Nabuwwah (), or finality of Prophethood, is an Islamic belief that prophethood came to an end after Muhammad. Many Muslims believe that the line of prophets sent by God ended with the advent of Muhammad, who they believe received the final revelation in the form of the Qur'an.
== Origin ==
The term Khatam an-nabuwwah is derived from the Quranic phrase Khatamun Nabiyyīn “seal of the prophets”. 
==Classical Lexicons==
All classical lexicons say that the word خاتم, which roughly translates to Seal, is a synonym for آخر, which unambiguously means Last. Classical lexicons presenting this are Lisān al-‘Arab, Tāj al-‘Arūs, Al-Mufridāt li-Gharīb al-Qur’ān, Aqrab al-Mawārid, Lane’s English-Arabic Lexicon, Al-Muĥīt, Muĥīt Al-Muĥīt, Al-Ghanī, Al-Wasīt and Al-Qāmūs Al-Muĥīt.With Love to the Ahmadis of the World, page 58
== Interpretations ==
The most commonly held view about the phrase “Seal of the Prophets” is that “seal” means finality and end.islaam.org: The Finality of Prophethood 
Some scholars have translated and interpreted the word “seal” in terms of honour and superiority, instead of the finality of the prophethood. But the consensus of the Muslim community regards the denial or doubt on finality of prophethood as apostasy. 
=== Sufi interpretations ===
Rumi in his famous Mathnawi writes,
Ibn Arabi also followed the same line of reasoning in his Futuhat.Selections from al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya, by Shaykh Muhyiddin Ibn al-'ArabiFutuhat-e-Makkiyyah, Vol. 2, p. 3 He has argued that the possibility of a subordinate prophet is open according to the verse 33:40. However Ibn Arabi also stated in the Futuhat:
The Shī‘ī Imām Ja'far al-Sadiq while discussing the Quranic verse, “For verily We granted the Book to the children of Abraham”, said that:
Shah Wali Ullah Muhaddith of Dehli subscribed to the opinion:
Faranghi Mahal, an eminent scholar of the Ahl-e Sunnat also discussed the significance of the expression Khatam an-nubuwwah and on behalf of the Sunni Scholars, he declared:
=== Non-Sufi interpretations ===
A majority of Sunni scholars have adhered to the view that khatam means last. 
Imam Ghazali (450 A.H.-505 A.H.) says The Consensus of all the Ulema of the Ummah 
Ibn Kathir in his commentary statesTafsir Ibne Kathir, Vol. 3, pp. 493-494 
The twelfth century Islamic philosopher, Raghib Isfahani, has argued in favour of the possibility of non-law bearing prophethood,On Finality of Prophethood - Opinions of Islamic Scholars he states:
Qasim Nanotwi, the founder of Deobandi seminary, seems to conform to the Sufi idea of finality. He writes,
Most other Deobandi scholars have take a more simplistic view of this concept, however they do not consider Qasim Nanutwi outside the pale of Islam for denying the finality of prophethood. The Barelvi sect of Sunni Islam has criticised the Deobandi school of denying the finality of Prophethood on the basis of the writings of their leader.White and Black, Facts of Deobandi-ism. A rejoinder to a series of booklets entitled “Johannesburg to Brailley”, by Allamah Kaukab Noorani Okarvi, Translated by S.G. Khawajah. Published by Maulana Okarvi Academy Al A'lami, First edition 1991 - South Africa
== Controversies ==
The concept of the finality of prophethood of Muhammad has caused controversy in recent times. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, hold Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to be a prophet subordinate to Muhammad. Ahmed claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi in 1889 and founded a movement in Qadian, India. His claims resulted in a violent reaction among many Muslims of the India subcontinent. The Salafi and Sunni scholars vehemently opposed him and in subsequent years a movement for the “protection of Khatme Nabuwwat” was founded.Majlise Tahaffuze Khatme Nabuwwat This movement, at times violentReport on the situation of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan - Majlis Tahafaz-e-Khatam-e-Nabuwwat, is still very active in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries where Ahmadiyya adherents are present.Persecution of the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan: An Analysis Under International Law and International Relations Harvard Human Rights Journal, Vol 16, September 2003
Violent Dhaka Rally against Sect, BBC News Eight die in Pakistan Sect Attack, BBC News Sect offices closed in Pakistan, BBC News
== See also ==
* Pasban Khatme Nabuwwat
* Seal of the prophets
*Aalami Majlise Tahaffuze Khatme Nubuwwat 
== External links ==
* Khatme Nabuwat & Ahmadiyya View Point – Video Playlist
* Ahmadis believe in Khatam-e-Nabuwwat
== References ==
Category:Muhammad