Muhammad: the Seal of the Prophets?

[Adib]

Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last Prophet. This is based on a Qur'anic verse that refers to Him as being the "Seal of the Prophets":

"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Apostle of God, and the Seal of the Prophets: and God has full knowledge of all things." Surah 33:40

My understanding of the above Qur'anic verse is that Muhammad is the last Prophet (nabi), but He is not the last Apostle (rasul). Based on my research of Islam, there is a difference between a Prophet and an Apostle. Imam Shaf’i states:


We should believe in the Prophets and the Apostles of God, each and all. The distinction characterizing the two categories lies in this: that the Apostle of God is He Who brings the law, while the Prophets are reared under the law brought by the Apostles of God. Hence each Apostle is simultaneously a Prophet, whereas a Prophet is not endued with the same characteristics of the Apostle.

Al-Nafisi wrote:

And this is evident proof of the established difference between an Apostle and a Prophet contrary to what they say that they are the same. When the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon Him, was asked as to how many Prophets there were, He answered: “Hundred and twenty four thousand.” They again asked as to how many of them were Apostles; and He answered: “Three hundred and thirteen, plenty!” The difference between them is that the Apostle is One Who brings a Book in addition to the miracle with which He is supported. As to the Prophet, He does not bring a Book, but rather follows and promotes the then existing Law. It is also said that an Apostle is the Founder of the Law, whereas the Prophet is the Promulgator and Guardian of that Law.


In the concise encyclopedia of Islam, “nabi” has been described as: “a Prophet, one who prophesizes within an existing revelation, as opposed to a ‘rasul’ (Messenger) who brings a new revelation” (p. 295)

Based on the above quotations, I am wondering if Muhammad was the last nabi (Prophet) but not the last rasul (Messenger/Apostle). In other words, if there are other religions after Islam.

Regards,
Adib

[TashaN]

Yeah, and that Bah'ullah is the second coming of both, Jesus and Mohammed *in spirit*, and thus, have authority of making a new religion, etc. Is that all what you wanted to say?

[Adib]

Yes as a matter of fact. In light of what I've said, where exactly do you disagree?

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by Adib

Yes as a matter of fact. In light of what I've said, where exactly do you disagree?

And why did you assume that i would *disagree*?

[Adib]

Originally Posted by TashaN

And why did you assume that i would *disagree*?

Then do you agree?

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by Adib

Then do you agree?

Nope, just wanted to know how did you assume so, but you didn't answer my question.

So, anyway, It's all here, i don't need to go through all the arguments all over and over and over again.

Which prophets do Baha'I's recognize?

I hope you will get, based on this thread, what do i believe in regarding this issue.

Do you want me to post some of them here to re-discuss them or something?

[Adib]

Originally Posted by TashaN

Nope, just wanted to know how did you assume so, but you didn't answer my question.

So, anyway, It's all here, i don't need to go through all the arguments all over and over and over again.

Which prophets do Baha'I's recognize?

I hope you will get, based on this thread, what do i believe in regarding this issue.

Do you want me to post some of them here to re-discuss them or something?

I assumed you disagree because you wouldn't be a Muslim if you didn't.

If you could please bring back another one of those old arguments, we can have a good discussion about them whether it's about nabi, rasul, khaatam-o nabi, or the question of validity of any religion following Islam. Let's try and analyze this slowly and bit-by-bit, not with 15 blocks of quotes at a time, so we can both gain a clearer understanding.

This discussion should prove to be good because we might both learn new things and thus be able to strengthen our own arguments for future purposes.

[TashaN]

Originally Posted by Adib

...and thus be able to strengthen our own arguments for future purposes.

That's all? you just want to *strengthen* your arguments?

So that means, it really doesn't matter to you whether something is right or wrong, because you are just *training* yourself to beat the others' arguments in a better way?

If that's why you started this thread then it would be a total watse of my time to post here, because i said all what i wanted to say in that link which i gave you in my previous post.

[Adib]

Originally Posted by TashaN

That's all? you just want to *strengthen* your arguments?

So that means, it really don't matter to you what is right and what is wrong, because you are just *training* yourself to beat the others' arguments in a better way?

I admit to wording that really badly, my mistake.

What I had meant is that, through a discussion like this, perhaps we'll both gain some new insight; me into Islam and you into the Baha'i Faith. I do care about what is right and wrong - otherwise as you said yourself there's no point in talking to begin with - and I didn't mean to come off as close-minded. My apologies.

I would really appreciate it if you could cite any verses that put the Baha'i Faith or Baha'u'llah into a questionable position and I will do my best to try and find some common ground. Discussions should be learning experiences, after all. I would like you to learn what I have to say and I am just as eager to understand your perspective on these topics.