The verse in question which was cited above by Adib was Surih 33 verse 40.. In the Arabic the term is
وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ
wa khaataman nabiyeen
and the Seal of the Prophets
The same word "Nabiyeen" in Arabic is cognate in Hebrew.
Unlike
Judaism and
Christianity, Islam distinguishes between a direct messenger of God (
rasul) and a
prophet (
nabi). Both function as divinely inspired recipients of God's
revelation. However, in addition,
rasuls are given a divine message or revelation for a community in book form. While every
rasul is a
nabi, not every
nabi is a
rasul.
Baha'is believe once more, that this verse means the cycle of prophecy is sealed or ended and that the cycle of fulfillment is begun after the dispensation of Prophet Muhammad which we believe ended in 1260 AH or 1844 AD.
and:
Universally, the Prophets are of two kinds. One are the independent Prophets Who are followed; the other kind are not independent and are themselves followers.
The independent Prophets are the lawgivers and the founders of a new cycle. Through Their appearance the world puts on a new garment, the foundations of religion are established, and a new book is revealed. Without an intermediary They receive bounty from the Reality of the Divinity, and their illumination is an essential illumination. They are like the sun which is luminous in itself: the light is its essential necessity; it does not receive light from any other star. These Dawning-places of the morn of Unity are the sources of bounty and the mirrors of the Essence of Reality.
The other Prophets are followers and promoters, for they are branches and not independent; they receive the bounty of the independent Prophets, and they profit by the light of Guidance of the universal Prophets. They are like the moon, which is not luminous and radiant in itself, but receives its light from the sun.
The Manifestations of Universal Prophethood Who appeared independently are, for example, Abraham, Moses. Christ, Muhammad, The Bab and Baha'u'llah. But the others who are followers and promoters are like Solomon, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. For the independent Prophets are founders; They establish a new religion and make new creatures of men; They change the general morals, promote new customs and rules, renew the cycle and the Law. Their appearance is like the season of spring, which arrays all earthly beings in a new garment, and give them a new life.
With regard to the second sort of Prophets who are followers, these also promote the Law of God, make known the Religion of God, and proclaim His word. Of themselves they have no power and might, except what they receive from the independent Prophets. `Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, pp. 164-165
The word "seal" is the same in Hebrew and Arabic Khataaman:
9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and
to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
(King James Bible, Daniel)
12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and
seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
(King James Bible, Daniel)