Prophethood in Islam (An-Nubuwwat fil-Islam)

by Maulana Muhammad Ali (English translation by Sheikh Muhammad Tufail)

Table of Contents:

  • Foreword
  • Inscription on the Headstone of the Grave
  • Metaphorical and Literal Meaning
  • Different Terms — But with the same Truth
  • The Meaning of Khatam an-Nabiyyin
  • The Question of Belief (Iman) or Unbelief (Kufr)
  • Foreword to the First Urdu Edition
    • An Important Note
    • A Letter to the Qadian Section
  • Introduction to the First Urdu Edition
    • An Announcement
    • Introduction
  • Partial prophethood is not Perfect Prophethood
  • Question of Abrogation in the Writings of the Founder
  • What is Left of the Blessings of Prophethood?
  • Muhaddath is a Prophet in the Metaphorical Sense
  • Door of Gabriel’s Descent with Revelation is Closed
  • No Change was made in the Founder’s Views in 1901
  • The Founder’s Earlier Writings were never Abrogated
  • A Clarification
  • Alleged Mistake by the Founder about his Prophethood
  • The Founder never said he was a Real Prophet
  • Notes and References (1 to 56)
  • Chapter I: The Real Object of Prophethood:
    • Divine Promise for the Uplift of Humanity
    • All Prophets brought Guidance from God
    • Moses and all the Prophets were Bearers of Guidance
    • The Real Object of Prophethood is Purification
    • Purification means Perfection
    • The most Perfect and the Last of all the Guides
    • Conception of Guidance is Wider than that of Shariah
    • Prophethood is a Gift and not an Acquisition
    • Acquisition of Excellence by Effort is not Prophethood
    • The Founder’s Belief on the Issue
    • The Prophet’s Self-purification
    • Prophets are Impeccable (Masum)
    • Knowledge of God is attained through Prophets
    • Nubuwwah of Israelite Prophets
    • Self-purification means Man’s Perfection
    • The Views of Shah Wali Allah
    • The Views of Imam Ibn Hazm
    • The Views of Imam Fakhar ud-Din al-Razi
    • The Views of Al-Ghazzali
    • Two Conditions for Prophethood
    • Notes and References (63 to 78)
  • Chapter II: Prophetic Revelation:
    • Meaning of Revelation
    • Different Kinds of Revelation
    • God Speaks to Man in many Ways
    • Quranic Revelation was by Descent of Gabriel
    • Gabriel brought Revelation to all the Prophets
    • The Holy Prophet’s Revelation before his Advent
    • Revolution wrought by the Prophetic Revelation
    • Gabriel brought Revelation to all Prophets
    • Descent of Gabriel to Prophets with Revelation
    • Revelation to Mary was not Prophetic
    • Descent of Gabriel without Revelation
    • Gabriel’s Company with the Holy Prophet before the Call
    • Further Clarification from Hadith
    • Revelation of Moses result of Gabriel’s Descent
    • Testimony of the Founder on the Issue
    • A Prophet follows his own Revelation
    • The Terms Prophet (Nabi) and Follower (Ummati)
    • Prophetic Revelation a Verifier of Previous Revelations
    • Possessor of Prophetic Revelation is a Leader
    • Aaron was also the Possessor of Command
    • A Prophet is a Follower of Revelation
    • Duty of a Prophet regarding Communication of Revelation
    • Revelation of a Prophet can alter the Previous Shariah
    • Testimony of the Quran regarding Alteration
    • Revelation of a Prophet completes Guidance
    • Prophetic Revelation is recited in Prayers
    • It is Essential to believe in Prophetic Revelation
    • Every Prophet brings a Book
    • Evidence of the Founder in this Regard
    • Prophets whose Books are not Known
    • Israelite Prophets who did not possess any Book
    • Prophetic Revelation possesses Excellences
    • Notes and References (81 to 163)
  • Chapter III: Finality of Prophethood:
    • Significance of Finality of Prophethood
    • The Holy Prophet Muhammad appeared for the World
    • The Holy Prophet was Appointed for the World
    • No other Prophet appeared for the World
    • Faith in the Previous Scriptures
    • First Reason for Finality of Prophethood
    • Second Reason for Finality of Prophethood
    • Prophethood was not Further Necessary
    • Chain of Prophethood has been cut off
    • The Significance of Khatam an-Nabiyyin
    • Meaning of the Expression Khatam an-Nabiyyin
    • The Holy Prophet became Khatam an-Nabiyyin
    • Finality of Prophethood according to Hadith
    • Claimant to Prophethood is a Liar
    • Corner-stone of the House of Prophethood
    • Saying of Aishah Explained
    • No other Prophet in this Ummah
    • Other Reports about Finality of Prophethood
    • Another Hadith Explained: Prophets are Brothers
    • Door of Prophethood is Closed
    • A Prophet is raised by God only
    • No Authority for New Meaning of Khatam an-Nabiyyin
    • Quranic verses Analysed
    • Quran the Last of Books (Khatam al-Kutub)
    • A Prophecy is no Proof
    • Discussion in Books by the Founder
    • Appendix to Chapter III
    • Notes and References (169 to 226)
  • Chapter IV: Muhaddath and Mujaddid:
    • Siddiq (Truthful) and Shahid (Faithful)
    • Siddiq and Shahid is of the Rank of Muhaddath
    • Distinction between Prophet and Reformer
    • The Term Muhaddath as Explained in Hadith
    • Other Imams about the Office of Muhaddath
    • Explanation of the Office of a Muhaddath
    • No contradiction regarding a Muhaddath
    • Literal Meaning of Muhaddath
    • Ranks of Muhaddath
    • Is Prophethood Continued?
    • Mujaddids — Reformers
    • Notes and References (235 to 268)
  • Chapter V: Termination of Prophethood:
    • Promise of Mubashshirat in the Quran
    • Significance of Mubashshirat (good news)
    • Ruya means Revelation granted to Saints
    • One of the Forty-sixth Part of Prophethood
    • Literal meaning of the Word Nabi
    • Use of the Word Nubuwwah in its Literal Sense
    • Prophethood has Ended but Mubashshirat Remains
    • The Founder adhered to One Principle only from the Beginning to the End
    • Prophethood attained through Discipleship is Muhaddathiyyah
    • Meaning of being Sahib-i Khatam (Possessor of Seal)
    • Meaning of Zilli Nubuwwah
    • Ummati Nabi (Follower Prophet) is a Muhaddath
    • Prophethood in the Terminology of Islamic Shariah
    • Abundance of Communion and Communication
    • The Kind of Prophethood Continued is Muhaddathiyyah
    • Good News is Essence of Prophethood?
    • Mubashshirat is not Real Object of Prophethood
    • Mubashshirat are only Helpers
    • Mubashshirat remains after the Cessation of Prophethood
    • Mubashshirat (Good News) granted to the Founder
    • Abundance of Divine Communion and Communication
    • Difference as Recognised by the Founder
    • Proof from Haqiqat al-Wahy
    • Abundance of Communication
    • Abundance of Communication called Prophethood in the Sense of Muhaddathiyyah
    • Use of the Word Prophet in the Sense of Muhaddath
    • No Change in the Claim
    • Definition of Prophethood by Mirza Mahmud Ahmad
    • Manifestation of the Unseen
    • The Founder chose the Word Nubuwwah (in the Literal Sense)
    • Notes and References (273 to 367)
  • Chapter VI: Prophethood and the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement:
    • Founder did not claim to bring ‘Guidance’ (Hidayah)
    • Gabriel did not bring Revelation to the Founder
    • Prophetic and Non-prophetic Revelations
    • Notes and References (378 to 387)
  • Chapter VII: The Term Prophethood in the Founder’s Writings:
    • Views of other Muslim Sages
    • Prophethood in its Literal Sense
    • The Founder was no Claimant to Prophethood
    • Prophet in the Real and Metaphorical Sense
    • Explanation of Reality and Metaphor by Mirza Mahmud Ahmad
    • Perfect and Partial Prophet
    • Prophethood by Way of Zill and Baruz
    • Notes and References (391 to 426)
  • Chapter VIII: Characteristics of Promised Messiah:
    • Mention of Distinction about the Promised Messiah
    • A Solitary Reference
    • Prophethood described as Metaphorical
    • The Founder received the Title ‘Prophet’
    • Prophet here means Muhaddath
    • A Prophecy in the Hadith
    • Founder’s Work was same as that of other Mujaddids
    • Thousands of Auliya and ‘A Follower and a Prophet’
    • Notes and References (430 to 445)
  • Chapter IX: Mirza Mahmud Ahmad’s other Arguments about Prophethood:
    • Prophets’ Definition of Prophethood
    • Terminology of Islam
    • Arguments of Mirza Mahmud Ahmad Briefly Reviewed
    • Mirza Mahmud Ahmad’s Views about the Founder
    • Opponents’ Views were the same in 1891
    • Founder’s Reply applies to Mirza Mahmud Ahmad as Well
    • The Founder didn’t change Belief about Prophethood
    • First Statement
    • Second Statement: Change occurred in 1901
    • The Founder about Abrogation
    • Evidence of Mirza Mahmud Ahmad’s Followers
    • Mirza Mahmud Ahmad’s own Earlier Views
    • Notes and References (447 to 483)
    • The Supplement
    • Appendix to the Supplement: Correction of an Error
    • Index to The Supplement

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