Prophets Lineage From Ibrahim(as)?

The allegation of the non Ahmadi Muslims is that all prophets have to be from the lineage of Ibrahim(as) and try to claim that Ahmad(as) is not from there. The non Ahmadi Muslims quote this ayah:



And We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and We placed the gift of prophethood and the Book among his descendants, and We gave him his reward in this life, and in the Hereafter he will surely be among the righteous.(Chapter 29 Verse 28)

This allegation has many answers. The first one is that Ahmad(as) is from the Persian Lineage which is from Banu Ishaaq so Ahmad(as) is indeed from the same descendants as mentioned in the ayah.

Allah also States:







And remember when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, make this city a city of peace, and keep me and my children away from worshipping idols.‘My Lord, they have indeed led astray many among mankind. So whoever follows me, he is certainly of me; and whoever disobeys me — Thou art, surely, Most Forgiving, Merciful(Chapter 14 Verses 36-37)

Hazrat Ibrahim(as) has made it clear that one who follows him is certainly of him. Ahmad(as) was indeed a true follower of every prophet before him.

Another answer to this is that in Surah Hajj Allah has Stated:



And strive in the cause of Allah as it behoves you to strive for it. He has chosen you, and has laid no hardship upon you in religion; so follow the faith of your father Abraham; He named you Muslims both before and in this Book, so that the Messenger may be a witness over you, and that you may be witnesses over mankind. Therefore observe Prayer and pay the Zakat, and hold fast to Allah. He is your Master. An excellent Master and an excellent Helper!(Chapter 22 Verse 79)

Ibrahim(as) here has been called our father. This does not mean that he is our physical father, rather a spiritual father. Ibrahim(as) is a spiritual father of the true Muslims. This is similar to the Ayah of the Qur’an where Allah states:



The Prophet is nearer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are as mothers to them. And blood relations are nearer to one another, according to the Book of Allah, than the rest of the believers from among the Helpers as well as the Emigrants, except that you show kindness to your friends. That also is written down in the Book.(Chapter 33 Verse 7)

Here Allah has called the wives of the Prophets the Mothers of the believers. This also does not make them physical mothers of the believers, rather spiritual mothers.

However, Ahmad(as) was from the Persian lineage as well of the Farsi who are from Banu Ishaaq which is why he is included in the physical lineage as well.

It is written in Kanzul Ummal which is a well known book of Ahadith in regards to The Persians and clearly states they are from these descendants:







It is also written:

Difference in Nabi and Rasul?

Some non Ahmadis say prophets do not bring shariahs or laws, while messengers do. This ideology is totally baseless. Holy Prophet(saw) never said this. The truth is Quran and hadith show that these two words are directly related. Both words are used for Holy Prophet(saw) and for Hadhrat Isa(as).And In surah Al Maryam in the same surah Moses(As) is called rasool and Nabi who we know brought a shariah, same surah three verses after Hadhrat Ismail(as) is called a rasool and Nabi when we we all know he did not bring a shariah. 

They made this misunderstanding that its two different types of people sent by Allah. Allah sends the message to the rasul and than he spreads it to people. The rasul is the one who receives the message from Allah and when he spreads it, he is indeed a nabi. The purpose of a nabi is to spread the message that Allah sent him as a rasul. Never would Allah choose a rasul who would be too scared to spread the message, therefore all messengers are indeed prophets.

A prophet who is sent the message is a rasul. When he spreads the message that Allah revealed to him and tells people this message he is a nabi. When One person but two words for the same person. No difference at all.

The word nabi, comes from the world nabah. The Nabi spreads this message from Allah to the people of where he is sent. Every prophet gets the message of Allah as a rasul and he spreads it which makes him a nabi. Its basically us and breathing Allah sends us to this world and than we breathe to live, A rasul is sent a message from Allah, spreading this message is his breathing as a nabi he is telling people this message. No prophet was ever sent that did not deliver the message.

Here is Quranic proof that they are the same. We have a law bearing prophet called a Nabi and rasul and also a non law bearing prophet also called a nabi and a rasul.


 

And relate the story of Moses as mentioned in the Book. He was indeed a chosen one; and he was a Messenger, a Prophet. (Chapter 19 verse 52)



And relate the story of Ishmael as mentioned in the Book. He was indeed strict in keeping his promise. And he was a Messenger, a Prophet.(Chapter 19 verse 55)

Has Revelation Ended?

 

And who believe in that which has been revealed to thee, and that which was revealed before thee, and they have firm faith in what is yet to come.(Chapter 2 Verse 5) 

Firstly to say revelation has stopped because of this verse would not make any sense at all. The Qur’an states: 

O ye men, worship your Lord Who created you and those who were before you, that you may become righteous;(Chapter 2 Verse 22) 

Even if we take the incorrect translation of the Non Ahmadis, even then revelation has not ended. According to their logic it would mean in this verse quoted that Allah has only created the people before us rather than after. 

Allah also states :

 

Surely, We have sent revelation to thee, as We sent revelation to Noah and the Prophets after him; and We sent revelation to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and his children and to Jesus and Job and Jonah and Aaron and Solomon, and We gave David a Book.(Chapter 4 verse 164) 

This only mentions of revelation to Noah(as) and the Prophets after him, but there were prophets before Noah(as) which included Idrees(as) and also Adam(as). With the non Ahmadi logic it would mean they were not revealed to and were false prophets, God Forbid. 

Now please read the verse in context. Allah is talking about revelation here, so he says And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain. It is talking about revealed to Nabi(Saw), and what was revealed before nabi(saw) and then says in the hereafter/akhareen they are certain.

Allah has said va bil akhiratay hum yu kinoon. Here it does not refer to the day of judgement because the day of judgement is a part of faith so we have to have eeman in it. Allah doesn’t say yuminoon he says yukinoon. Because this is something which is suppose to happen and its about revelation of the latter part, since we have yakeen. In day of judgement we don’t need to have yakeen we just need eeman. 

Allah has made it clear in Qur’an and Ahadith that revelation is continued and will continue till Qiyamah. The Qur’an states: 

 

And the people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments a calf — alifeless body producing a lowing sound. Did they not see that it spoke not to them, nor guided them to any way? They took it for worship and they were transgressors.(Chapter 7 Verse 149)
Again Allah states:

 

He sends down the angels with revelation by His command on whomsoever of His servants He pleases saying, ‘Warn people that there is no God but I, so take Me alone for your Protector.’(Chapter 16 Verse 3) 

Allah also states: 

 

As for those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’ and then remain steadfast, the angels descend on them, saying: ‘Fear ye not, nor grieve; and rejoice in the Garden that you were promised We are your friends in this life and in the Hereafter. Therein you will have all that your souls will desire, and therein you will have all that you will ask for —(Chapter 41 Verses 31-32)
Allah also states: 

 

And it is not for a man that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a veil or by sending a messenger to reveal by His command what He pleases. Surely, He is High, Wise.(Chapter 42 Verse 52) 

Apart from all of this all non Ahmadis believe that the Messiah(as) would be revealed to. Indeed if the latter day messiah is a prophet according to Allah, than of course he would be revealed to as sahih Muslim states: 

“Allah would reveal to Jesus these words” sahih muslim 2937a so all of them themselves await the latter day messiah(as) to get revelation as well, if they truly follow the ahadith. 

Now we should always remember that a true characteristic which makes Islam the true religion is that it invites to a God who is living and listens to his servants. There are many ayahs in the Qur’an that hint to this as well. Allah states:

 

When he said to his father, ‘O my father, why dost thou worship that which hears not, nor sees, nor can avail thee aught?(Chapter 19 Verse 43)
Allah also States:


 

And the people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments a calf — a lifeless body producing a lowing sound. Did they not see that it spoke not to them, nor guided them to any way? They took it for worship and they were transgressors.(Chapter 7 Verse 149)
Allah Has also Stated: 

 

Could they not see that it returned to them no answer, and had no power to do them either harm or good?(Chapter 20 Verse 90) 

He Further States: 

 

Unto Him is the true prayer. And those on whom they call beside Him answer them not at all, except as he is answered who stretches forth his two hands toward water that it may reach his mouth, but it reaches it not. And the prayer of the disbelievers is but a thing wasted.(Chapter 13 Verse 15) 

Some also have a misconception that Allah only reveals to prophets. This is also against the Qur’an and the Ahadith. Allah states in the Qur’an: 

 

Say, ‘This is my way: I call unto Allah on sure knowledge, I and those who follow me. And Holy is Allah; and I am not of those who associate gods with God.’(Chapter 12 Verse 109) 

The Holy Prophet(saw) called towards Allah through revelation and his true followers would also have this knowledge according to the Qur’an. There are many people who are called auliya or saints. Of course this is not revelation of a new law or a new prophethood apart from the one of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw). Allah States in the Qur’an: 

 

Behold! the friends of Allah shall certainly have no fear, nor shall they grieve —Those who believed and kept to righteousness —For them are glad tidings in the present life and also in the Hereafter — there is no changing the words of Allah; that indeed is the supreme triumph.(Chapter 10 Verses 63-65) 

The Holy Prophet(saw) has also stated:

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ رُؤْيَا الْمُؤْمِنِ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ وَأَرْبَعِينَ جُزْءًا مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ ‏”‏‏.‏
 

Narrated ‘Ubada bin As-Samit: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The (good) dreams of a faithful believer is a part of the forty-six parts of prophetism:'(Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 87, Hadith #116) 

Hazrat Aisha(ra) stated:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ أَوَّلُ مَا بُدِئَ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنَ الْوَحْىِ الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ فِي النَّوْمِ، فَكَانَ لاَ يَرَى رُؤْيَا إِلاَّ جَاءَتْ مِثْلَ فَلَقِ الصُّبْحِ، ثُمَّ حُبِّبَ إِلَيْهِ الْخَلاَءُ
 

Narrated ‘Aisha:

(the mother of the faithful believers) The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright daylight, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. ‘ (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadith #3) 

This makes it clear that even true dreams falls under wahy. The Holy Prophet(saw) further made it clear that Muslims from the Ummah would have the divine communion with Allah. He stated:

زَادَ زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ عَنْ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ لَقَدْ كَانَ فِيمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ رِجَالٌ يُكَلَّمُونَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونُوا أَنْبِيَاءَ، فَإِنْ يَكُنْ مِنْ أُمَّتِي مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ فَعُمَرُ ‏”‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira: 

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Among the nation of Bani Israel who lived before you, there were men who used to be inspired with guidance though they were not prophets, and if there is any of such persons amongst my followers, it is ‘Umar.”(Sahih Bukhari, Volume ,5 Book 57, Hadith #28) 

The Holy Prophet(saw) made it clear that non prophets are also given the revelation of Allah and that Hazrat Umar(ra) is one of them. This clearly shows that the door is clear open. The Prophet(saw) has shown that since it happened with the nations before, it would also happen with nation of the Muslims. He has mentioned Umar(ra) because of how much of an amazing companion he was. Ahmad(as) states: 

You read the Hadith, which says, “If this Umma has Muhaddathin to whom God speaks then such a Muhaddath is Omar”? Would you say that, therefore, Muhaddathiya is over after Omar? No! The meaning of Hadith is that whoever in spirit and power is like Omar, will be a Muhaddath when time for his advent comes. It was in this sense that this humble one once received the revelation: “You have been endowed with the character of Omar”(Victory of Islam)

Hazrat Muhy-ud-Din Ibn Arabi has written: “The wali [saint] is indeed a bashir and nazir, but he is not a law-giver.”(Futuhat Makkiyya, Part II, p. 376) 

Sayyid Ismail Shaheed who was known to be the Indian Muslim theologian who lead in the early nineteenth century, stated in regards to the ayah “There is no town but it had a warner”: 

“It has been said that the word nazir [warner] includes prophets and saints.” (Abqaat, Urdu translation by Manazir Ahsan Gilani, published in A.P., India, p. 402) 

There is also revelation to non Prophets which is mentioned in the Qur’an clearly. Allah has stated: 

 

And We revealed to the mother of Moses saying, ‘Suckle him; and when thou fearest for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve; for We shall restore him to thee, and shall make him one of the Messengers.’(Chapter 28 Verse 8) 

In this ayah, Allah revealed “suckle him” and also gave the commands to cast him into the river and not to have any fear in regards to it. Allah has mentioned commands and also a prohibition by stating “fear not”. 

It was also revealed to the Mother of Jesus(as): 

 

“And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree; it will cause fresh ripe dates to fall upon thee(Chapter 19 Verse 26) 

Here Allah has revealed Commands to Hazrat Maryam (as) as well.
Allah also States that the disciples of Isa(as) were given revelation. How can a sincere Muslim believe revelation for the Messiah sent to Bani Israel extended to his disciples but no one from our ummah had this blessing? Allah states:

And when I inspired the disciples of Jesus to believe in Me and in My Messenger, they said, ‘We believe and bear Thou witness that we have submitted.’(Chapter 5 Verse 112)

Many Non Ahmadi Muslims also believe that revelation was not given to the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw). This is totally false and only because of their ignorance. Here are some examples of companions receiving revelation in the life of the Prophet Muhammad(saw) and also after:

حَدَّثَنَا النُّفَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ عَبَّادٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَبَّادِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَائِشَةَ، تَقُولُ لَمَّا أَرَادُوا غَسْلَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالُوا وَاللَّهِ مَا نَدْرِي أَنُجَرِّدُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ ثِيَابِهِ كَمَا نُجَرِّدُ مَوْتَانَا أَمْ نُغَسِّلُهُ وَعَلَيْهِ ثِيَابُهُ فَلَمَّا اخْتَلَفُوا أَلْقَى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمُ النَّوْمَ حَتَّى مَا مِنْهُمْ رَجُلٌ إِلاَّ وَذَقْنُهُ فِي صَدْرِهِ ثُمَّ كَلَّمَهُمْ مُكَلِّمٌ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ الْبَيْتِ لاَ يَدْرُونَ مَنْ هُوَ أَنِ اغْسِلُوا النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعَلَيْهِ ثِيَابُهُ فَقَامُوا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَغَسَلُوهُ وَعَلَيْهِ قَمِيصُهُ يَصُبُّونَ الْمَاءَ فَوْقَ الْقَمِيصِ وَيُدَلِّكُونَهُ بِالْقَمِيصِ دُونَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَكَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ تَقُولُ لَوِ اسْتَقْبَلْتُ مِنْ أَمْرِي مَا اسْتَدْبَرْتُ مَا غَسَّلَهُ إِلاَّ نِسَاؤُهُ ‏.‏

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin:

By Allah, we did not know whether we should take off the clothes of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as we took off the clothes of our dead, or wash him while his clothes were on him. When they (the people) differed among themselves, Allah cast slumber over them until every one of them had put his chin on his chest. Then a speaker spoke from a side of the house, and they did not know who he was: Wash the Prophet (ﷺ) while his clothes are on him. So they stood round the Prophet (ﷺ) and washed him while he had his shirt on him. They poured water on his shirt, and rubbed him with his shirt and not with their hands. Aisha used to say: If I had known beforehand about my affair what I found out later, none would have washed him except his wives.(Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith #3141)

There is also an incident recorded where Abu Bakr(ra) was revealed to. It is stated:

“A slave-girl of Abu Bakr was pregnant. He said: It was revealed to me that it would be a girl. And she gave birth to a girl.”

(Kitab al-Lama’, by Abu Nasr Abdullah al-Qausani, ch. Abu Bakr
Another statement in regards to the revelation of Umar(ra) is : 

“In the written orders which Umar [the second Caliph] sent to [his army commander] Sa‘ad Ibn Abi Waqqas during the Persian campaign, it was stated that it had been revealed to him that the enemy would be defeated.”

(Al-Wasa’iq as-Sabasiyya, p. 302, compiled by Dr Hamidullah of Hyderabad)

Another statement is recorded as:

“Ali and al-Fazl were washing the Holy Prophet’s body when Ali heard a voice saying: Lift up your eyes to heaven.”

(Al-Khasa’is al-Kubra, by Suyuti, vol. ii, p. 276)

Another story is as follows:

“Anas related that Abu Ibn Ka‘b said: I shall enter the mosque and pray, and praise God so much that no one would have praised Him like that. So when he prayed, and sat down to praise God, he heard a voice from behind him saying: O God, all praise is due to Thee, all good is in Thy hand, all affairs return to Thee, open or secret, all praise is due to Thee, Thou hast power over all things, forgive me my past sins and keep me pure for the rest of my life, grant me to do good deeds which please Thee from me, and turn to me mercifully.Then Abu Ibn Ka‘b came to the Holy Prophet and related this to him. The Holy Prophet said: That was Gabriel.”(Ruh al-Ma‘ani, vol. vii, p. 64, under verse 33:40)

Another story is:

Abdullah Ibn Zaid Ibn Abd Rabbih related: When the Holy Prophet ordered the making of a trumpet to use it to call people to prayer, I saw in a dream a man carrying a trumpet in his hand. I said to him: Are you selling the trumpet? He said: What will you do with it? I said: Call people to prayer. He said: Shall I not show you something better than it? I said: Yes. He said: Say, Allahu Akbar (up to the end of the words of the Call to Prayer). In the morning I went to the Holy Prophet and told him of my dream. He said: ‘Your dream is surely true, if God so will. Go and stand with Bilal and tell him your dream. Let him give the call to prayer, because his voice is louder than yours.’ So I stood with Bilal and told him of the words, and he made the call to prayer.”(Mishkat, Book of Prayer, ch. ‘The Call to Prayer’, sec. 3) 

This is also the view of many Muslim scholars. 

In one of the most famous Arabic dictionary called Mufradat, Imam Raghib has stated:

“The word of God which is communicated to His prophets and His saints is called wahy.” (Mufradat of Raghib, under wahy)

Imam Jafar Sadiq has stated:

He said: “Revelation is one of the characteristics of the chosen ones of God. To give arguments without revelation is a mark of being rejected from the Divine Presence.” (Tazkirat al-Auliya, ch. 1, p. 23)

He also stated:

I read the Quran with such zeal and enthusiasm that it was revealed to me through revelation.” (Futuhat Makkiyya by Ibn Arabi)

It is also stated in regards to him:

“Some of those who have Divine experience have said about themselves that they hear the word of God, and that He communicates with them, as is recorded of Imam Ja‘far Sadiq that he said: I read a verse of the Quran so frequently that I heard it from God, the Revealer of the verse.”(Maktubat of Mujaddid Alif Sani, vol. iii, p. 166)

It is stated in regards to Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal:

“He said: One day I was in the public baths, and there was a group of people who entered the water without any clothes. I kept in mind the hadith: He who believes in God and the Last Day should not enter the public bath without a waist-wrapper. So I did not remove all my clothes. That night I saw in a dream someone saying to me: ‘O Ahmad, receive good news that God has forgiven you on account of your following the hadith, and made you a leader who shall be followed.’ I said: Who are you? He said: Gabriel.”(Ihya as-Sunna)

Imam Ghazali(ra) has stated:

“Undoubtedly, knowledge comes to our hearts through the angels, and this is referred to in the word of God: It is not vouchsafed to a mortal that God should speak to him except by revelation …”(Ihya al-‘Ulum, vol. iii, p. 14)

And:

“Know that the men of the heart are shown the secrets of the worlds through inspiration [into the mind], or through true dreams, or through visions while awake. This is one of the highest grades of the degrees of prophethood, as a true dream is one of the forty-six parts of prophethood. So beware of denying this knowledge through lack of understanding.” (ibid., p. 67)

Hazrat Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilani(ra) has stated:

“Woe unto you, O innovator! Does God not have the power to say: I am God. Our God, great is His glory, is a speaker, and not dumb. His word is heard and understood.”(Al-Fath ar-Rabbani, p. 153)

He also states:

“When you attain perfection in fana [annihilation], your rank near God will be raised, and you will be addressed in the words: This day you are with us, a dignified, trusted one.”(Futuh al-Ghaib, with Persian commentary, Discourse no. 28, p. 171) (Referring to Chapter 12 Verse 55)

He further states: The words wa-stana‘tu-ka li-nafsi (I have chosen thee especially for Myself), which are in the Quranic verse 20:41, were revealed to Abdul Qadir Jilani several times. (ibid., p. 33)

And:“I am not an ordinary preacher like your preachers. I speak by command of God Almighty. Take my words to be the orders of God. When I preach from the pulpit, God manifests Himself upon my heart.” (Tuhfa Qadiriyya, p. 82)

Imam Qurtubi (ra) has stated:
“The true, righteous Muslim is he whose condition resembles the condition of the prophets. He is favoured with that with which the prophets were favoured, that is, information of the unseen.” (Fath al-Bari, standard commentary of Bukhari, vol. xii, p. 319)

Hazrat Muhiy-ud-Din Ibn Arabi(ra) has stated:

“It is impossible that revelation from God can stop. For if it were to be cut off, there would not remain for the world any spiritual food by which it continues to subsist.” (Futuhat Makkiyya, Part II, p. 90, question no. 82)

He further states:

Of us [saints] are those who receive from God those very commandments which are in the Shari‘ah. The source is the same as it used to be for the Holy Prophet Muhammad. Such persons are his followers because these commandments are not opposed to the Shari‘ah.” (Fusus al-Hukam, p. 183)

And:

“All the forms of revelation we have explained here are to be found in men of God, from among the saints. The revelation which was exclusive to the prophet, and not for the saint, is the revelation containing the Shari‘ah.” (Futuhat Makkiyya, Part II, p. 376)

And also:“And thus the coming of the Quran upon the hearts of the saints is not cut off, despite the fact that the Quran is safely preserved with them. It happens due to their zeal, and it is for only some of them. (ibid., p. 258)

He lastly states:

The Quranic verse “We believe in God and what has been revealed to us … and we submit to Him” (2:136) was revealed in revelation received by Ibn Arabi. (ibid., Part III, p. 367)

A commentary on the Masnawi according to Jalal-Ud-Din Rumi states:

“The expediency of hiding it from the public is to avoid trouble, because if a man of God were to say, I learnt such and such a thing from Divine revelation, people may think that he was claiming prophethood. Then, let alone people being alienated from him, he would actually fear for his life …
“The fact is that God speaks to angels, prophets, and specially-chosen saints through His ancient word, and puts words in their souls with different meanings. In accordance with His eternal knowledge, God makes them understand the meaning which He intends, and they receive that significance according to their capacity. With angels and prophets, this is called wahy, and with saints it is called ilham, but the Sufis term wahy as inner revelation.” (Miftah al-‘Ulum, Daftar iv, Part I, vol. xi, p. 361)

Imam Hajar Asqalani(ra) writes:

“When revelation was cut off with the Holy Prophet’s death,ilham [revelation to saints] came to those whom God chose.”

(Fath al-Bari, vol. i, p. 332)

Imam Abdul Wahhab Shi’rani wrote:

Revelation (wahy, ilham) remains for the saints, which does not contain Shari‘ah in it.” (Al-Yawaqit wal-Jawahir, p. 37)

He also states:

The revelation which brings Shari‘ah has been stopped after the Holy Prophet Muhammad. And of the favours which God has bestowed upon me, one is that He has made me a recipient of sound revelation.”(Al-Kibariyya al-Ahmar, footnote in Yawaqit, vol. ii, p. 8)

The ffamous Mujadid of India named Shaikh Ahmad who was of Sirhind, stated:

“Question: Since the religion has been completed and perfected by the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet’s example, what is the need for revelation (ilham), and what deficiency is there which is made good by revelation?

“Answer: Revelation makes manifest the hidden perfections of the religion, not increase the perfections in religion. Just as exercise of reason (ijtihaad) makes clear the commandments of the religion, so does revelation make clear the secrets and subtleties which most people cannot understand. The distinct difference between the exercise of reason and revelation is that the former is related to opinion while the latter is ascribed to the Great Creator of opinions. Therefore, revelation has a certainty which reason does not.”(Maktubat, vol. iii, Part VII, Daftar ii, Letter no. 55, p. 19)

And:

“Commandments of the Shari‘ah are revealed at particular times but commands of revelation in general are required at all times. … The Shari‘ah commandments are based on four sources [the reference is to Quran, Hadith, Ijma and Qiyas through which laws are derived], where revelation of saints (ilham) finds no place. But leaving aside Shari‘ah commandments, there are many other religious matters in which the fifth source is ilham. In fact, it may be said that, after the Quran and Hadith, ilham is the third source. This source will continue to exist till the end of the world.”(ibid., p. 19)

He further states:

The revelation of saints partakes of the light of prophethood, and is the consequence of the blessings of following the prophets.” (ibid., Part VI, Daftar iii, Letter no. 23, p. 63)

And:

“This humble one was lifted up from the dirt of degradation, and a voice called my soul saying: I have forgiven you and those who come to Me through your mediation, whether directly [through you] or indirectly, till the Day of Judgment. And it kept on repeating this, so that no scope remains for doubt.”(Mabd wa Mu‘ad with Urdu translation, p. 17)

It is also said about him:

“Shaikh Ahmad said that one day he prepared food for the Fatiha of his son [i.e. charitable deed following the death of his son]. There was doubt about its Divine acceptance because of the Quranic teaching: ‘God only accepts the deeds of the dutiful.’ Then he had a revelation: ‘Thou art indeed from among the dutiful’.” (Kahl al-Jawahir, p. 14)

And:

Before the birth of his youngest son, Shah Muhammad Yahya, he received the revelation: “We give thee good news of a boy, whose name is Yahya.” This is, in fact, verse 19:7 of the Quran. So he named the boy Yahya.(Maqamat Imam Rabbani, published in Delhi, p. 136)

It also states in regards to him:

He related that for a few days he was overcome by a deficiency of good deeds. So when during prayer he reached the words, “Thee do we serve,” he faced a dilemma: if he said these words, he would be guilty under the verse “why do you say that which you do not do”; if he omitted them, he would be guilty of omission. Then he had the revelation: “Shirk [worship of things other than God] has been removed from your worship, and your faith has become pure.”(Kahl al-Jawahir, p. 15)

And Lastly:

He said: “All those who have entered, or are going to enter, into my spiritual order, directly or indirectly, were shown to me, and I was told of the places of their birth and residence. They were all given to me. If I wish, I can describe them all.”(ibid., Life of Shaikh Ahmad by Khawaja Muhammad Baqir of Lahore, p. 5)

Al Baidawi stated:

“Just as the devils put bad thoughts into the hearts of disbelievers, so shall We [God] reveal the truth to you [O Muslims] and urge you to do good.” (Commentary of Baidawi, vol. ii, p. 267, published in Delhi

Fakhar Ud Din Razi stated:

“The angels project their influence into the souls of men by revelation, and show them their [i.e. angels’] accomplishments by sure visions.”(Tafsir Kabir, vol. vii, p. 370)

Hazrat Shah Wali-ullah of Delhi stated:

“The Muslim nation is not deprived of revelation through angels. Do you not know how Mary saw Gabriel as a strong, healthy man, and how the angels called her? Similarly, Hadith records that a believer was going towards a village to visit a fellow. In the way an angel appeared to him and said: I am an apostle of God to you. Hadith also says that if you maintain the same [high] level of faith, angels will greet you while you are lying in your beds.”(Tafhimat, vol. ii, p. 134)

And:

“God revealed to me, saying: I will give you the Tariqa [course of teachings for spiritual progress] which shall take man nearer to God than do any of the existing Tariqas, and it shall be more powerful than any of them.”(ibid., vol. i, p. 45)

Khawaja Mir Dard of Delhi has stated that he was revealed verses of the Qur’an in his book Ilm Al Kitab under Tahdees Ni’mat ar-Rabb:

“Warn thy near relatives.” (The Quran, 26:215)

“Say: Allah is sufficient for me.” (39:39)

“Be steadfast as thou art commanded, and follow not their low desires.” (42:16)

“Grieve thou not for them, nor be distressed because of what they plan.” (27:71)

“Did He not find thee groping, and guided thee.” (93:8) ( ‘Ilm al-Kitab, pp. 61 – 64.) 

Sayyid Muhammad Ismail Shaheed who was a famous martyr of North-West India has written:

“Among these matters, one is ilham [revelation], and ilham is that thing which is established from the prophets. It is called wahy. If it is proved from persons other than prophets, it is called tahdees[revelation of a non-prophet]. In the Quran, ilham as such has been called wahy, whether it came to prophets or to saints.” (Mansab-i Imamat, Urdu translation by Muhammad Husain Alwi, published by A’inah Adab, Lahore, 2nd ed., 1969, p. 73)
 

And: 

“Those people who consider knowledge to be no more than talk and words, and meaningless nonsense, … if such a man means to say that no person other than the prophets can obtain knowledge of the future from the unseen, I believe that he is denying a teaching of the religion which is established by repeated evidence, i.e. those teachings of the faith which spread into the world because they were abundantly reported [from the Holy Prophet], he is denying one of those.” (Abqaat, Urdu translation by Manazir Ahsan Gilani, published in A.P., India, p. 14.) 

Maulvi Abdullah Ghaznavi who was another Indian Saint of the last century also said he received verses in his divine revelation including: 

“Send peace and blessings upon him.” (The Quran 33:57)
“And soon thy Lord will give thee so that thou art well pleased.” (93:6)
“Have We not expanded for thee thy bosom.” (94:2)
“Is not God sufficient for His servant.” (39:37)
“He is only a servant upon whom We bestowed favours.” (43:60)
He also received the following revelation
“Thou art from Me and I am from Thee. So fear not nor grieve.” (Biography of Maulavi Abdullah Ghaznavi by Maulavi Abdul Jabbar Ghaznavi, pp. 10 – 11) 

A bitter opponent of the True Islam named Maulvi Abdul Jabbar Ghaznavi wrote : 

“If someone receives a Divine revelation (ilham) which is some verse of the Quran addressed particularly to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the recipient of this revelation would take it as referring to himself, and would interpret it in the light of his own circumstances and draw a lesson from it. …“So if someone has revealed to him verses specially addressed to the Holy Prophet, for instance: ‘Have We not expanded for thee thy breast’, ‘thy Lord will soon give thee so that thou wilt be pleased’, ‘Allah will suffice thee against them’, ‘be patient and resolute as the messengers were’, ‘hold thyself with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening’, ‘pray to thy Lord and sacrifice’, ‘obey not him whose heart We have made unmindful of Our remembrance, and he follows his low desires’, ‘He found thee groping and guided thee’; the meaning would be that that person would be granted these things to the extent that he deserves, according to his station. And as for the commands and prohibitions [in the revelations], these would apply to him as to the Holy Prophet.” (Asbat al-ilham, pp. 142 – 143)Allama Khalid Mahmud, another opponent of the true Islam. stated:

News of the unseen, visions and revelations are also received by some non-prophets. Saints (auliya) of God are informed of news of the unseen. In fact, Umar [the second Caliph] held the rank of muhaddas, at which station, according to the words of Hadith, God Himself grants the privilege of His communication, without the person reaching the rank of prophet.” (‘Aqidat al-Umma fi ma‘ni khatam an-nubuwwat, published by Idara Hifz-i Muarif-i Islamia, Lahore, 3rd ed., 1965, p. 48, footnote)

Even Sayyid Abul Ala Maudoodi another anti Ahmadi wrote:

“You appear surprised at there being two types of revelation. Had you read the Quran you would know that this Book mentions three types of revelation, only one of which types was collected in the Quran: ‘It is not for a mortal that God should speak to him except by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger who reveals by His permission what He [God] pleases.’ Here three forms are described of God sending commandments and guidance to a man. One is direct revelation, i.e., inspiration into the mind. A second is speech from behind a veil. The third is that revelation is sent through a messenger — an angel. The revelations collected in the Holy Quran are only of the third kind.”

(Monthly Tarjuman al-Quran, September 1961, p. 100)

Prophet Muhammad(saw), A Prophet for All of Mankind

And We have not sent thee but as a bearer of glad tidings and a Warner, for all mankind, but most men know not. (Chapter 34 Verse 29)

This is just another attempt of the non Ahmadi Muslims to close the blessings of Allah with no proof. We have many prophets who came for a nation and even then prophets did appear after them. For example, Moses(as) was sent to the entire people of Bani Israel yet we know that Isa(as) came after him as a prophet. If the ummah of Moses(as) can have prophets how can a sincere Muslim degrade the Prophet Muhammad(saw) to such a level that no one was able to achieve prophethood from following him and the greatest book of Allah ?

The Religion Is Complete

Forbidden to you is the flesh of an animal which dies of itself, and blood and the flesh of swine; and that on which is invoked the name of one other than Allah; and that which has been strangled; and that beaten to death; and that killed by a fall; and that which has been gored to death; and that of which a wild animal has eaten, except that which you have properly slaughtered; and that which has been slaughtered at an altar. And forbidden is also that you seek to know your lot by the divining arrows. That is an act of disobedience. This day have those who disbelieve despaired of harming your religion. So fear them not, but fear Me. This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islam as religion. But whoso is forced by hunger, without being wilfully inclined to sin, then, surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.(Chapter 5 Verse 4)

The part of the ayah which the non Ahmadis use is “This day I have perfected your religion for you and have chosen for you Islam as religion.” What non Ahmadis do not understand is that we also have this belief. The Qur’an is complete and never will Allah need to send another religion or another law. If we accept the Qur’an as the perfect book we should also accept that a person who follows this book completely, can achieve the highest reward of Allah which is prophethood. How can the non Ahmadis really claim that so many prophets came after following the Torah but the Muslims will never see such a blessing even though we have been given the greatest Book of Allah which is one hundred percent the word of Allah?

Apart from all of this Allah himself has told the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) of countless prophecies in regards to the coming of the Messiah(as) which no sincere Muslim can deny. On one end the non Ahmadis fight to close prophethood and on the other they fight to bring a prophet into the world who Qur’an has said has died already.

Allah has stated something similar for the family of Jacob:



And thus shall it be as thou hast seen, thy Lord will choose thee and teach thee the interpretation of things and perfect His favour upon thee and upon the family of Jacob as He perfected it upon two of thy forefathers — Abraham and Isaac. Verily, thy Lord is All-Knowing, Wise.’(Chapter 12 Verse 7)

But how many prophets came after them? Its clear that this ayah indeed opens prophethood but only within Islam as Islam is indeed complete and no Ahmadi denies that the Qur’an is not the final law of Allah.

Another point to remember and to ask the Non Ahmadis who ask us why there was a need for a prophet if the religion is complete, the question goes back to them as they await a prophet and a mahdi and believe they are two different people. Either they are forced to accept Isa(as) has died or that their allegation is baseless. Another point to remember is that not all prophets brought laws. In the same way Ahmad(as) did not bring a new law and was prophesied to come by the Holy Prophet(saw). He has not brought anything new rather has revived Islam.

Muhammad(saw), The Seal of All The Prophets

Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allah has full knowledge of all things.(Chapter 33 Verse 41)

The main difference between the Non Ahmadis and the Ahmadis on this verse is that the non Ahmadis believe that this ayah is stating that Muhammad(saw) is the last and final prophet. But then on the other side they await a prophet themselves so clearly contradict their earlier belief. However, as Ahmadi Muslims we believe that this verse is a great blessing for the ummah and shows the status of our master, The Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw). This ayah does not refer to prophethood being closed in any way and this interpretation would only contradict the Qur’an and Ahadith.

Holy Quran clearly states that The Holy Prophet(Saw), is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. This verse nowhere closes prophethood, in fact supports the beliefs of Ahmadiyyat by calling Holy Prophet(Saw) the seal of the prophets.

On the other hand the verse says Holy Prophet(Saw) is not the father of any of your men, but he is the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the prophets. Why would Allah say he is not the Father of Any of your men (talking about his status) and then say but he is the Last of the prophets? That clearly does not make sense. As we read the verse we should understand that Allah is talking about that status of the Holy Prophet (saw) and the correct meaning of Seal is the greatest prophet, never will a new law be needed nor a shariah and Islam is the last law, however Holy Prophet(Saw) himself has mentioned of a messiah, and a prophet of latter days which will be discussed as we go on. The opponents mocked Muhammad (saw) for not having children(who lived long) , the word here is referring to men not children. Now if you maintain the view held by main ulema that it means last and that even in his own ummah a prophet who follows him cannot appear what would the meaning in this context of the verse be? Non Ahmadi’s say he is not the father of a men but also no prophet will be born from his ummah, now this is an insult to nabi(saw) by saying that no prophet will be born in his ummah. We say as Ahmadis that the Quran answers to the allegations that if hes not the father of men like you it’s not a shame, your fathers should be ashamed who gave birth to opponents of nabi(Saw). This verse is a response to them, yes its honorable position that nabi(saw) was not given sons like you people but he is the father of all prophets, he is khataman nabiyeen the best of all the prophets.

Everyone who knows Arabic would agree that khatam does not refer to last nor does it refer to bringing to an end, rather it refers to a rank. It is known as Ism Ala which means a tool. It refers to the tool which is used to make a stamp or seal something. Whenever this word is attributed to a group in the Arabic language, it always refers to the rank of the person and their superiority. Many have been given titles with khatam. For example Abu Tamam was called khatamush-shuara, Hadhrat Ali(ra) was called Khatamul Auliya, and Imam Suyuti (ra) was called Khatamul Muhaqqin. Never do we interpret it to mean last for them? Why then mock the Prophet Muhammad(Saw) and claim that no one from his ummah can reach prophethood while countless of prophets can from the nation of Moses(as)?

The non Ahmadis try to use this ayah to prove that the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) is the last prophet, but at the same time they await the latter day messiah to come as a prophet, which further shows the confusion they have within their beliefs. Some also try to make a claim that a seal refers to closure but any person would agree that a seal is affixed to a document to show that it is authentic and certified. This verse shows us that although the Prophet Muhammad(saw) did not have a male progeny, he is the chief of all of the prophets and the greatest of them all. He is the spiritual progenitor of all of the prophets and messengers. If one claims that the verse meant he is the last prophet, they would read the verse as “Muhammad had no son but he is the last prophet”. This itself would make no sense and be an insult to the Prophet.

Now even if we were to accept the interpretation of the non Ahmadi Muslims, the fact would remain that the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) prophesied about a prophet and that prophet had to come in the end times. What would they do in regards to this prophecy? The reality is that the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) is a spiritual father of the prophets because of his rank in the eyes of Allah. Allah has blessed him to such a level which no prophet can ever reach. He is the chief of all the prophets.

Just as an imprinted stamp shows us a reflection of the actual image, just like that one who follows the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) wholeheartedly can achieve his qualities. All true prophets are a reflection of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) just as a stamp reflects its original image. Some ask whether the prophets before the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) had these qualities, and the answer to this is absolutely. The Holy Prophet(saw) stated:
انی عند اللہ مكتوب خاتم النبیین و ان آدم لمنجدل فی طینتہ

“I was the Seal of the Prophets even when Adam was in the elementary stages of his development.” (Mishkat al Masabih, Kitabul Fitan, Musnad Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Kanzul Ummal)

This hadith itself tells us that every prophet from the time of Adam(as) to the time of the Holy Prophet(saw) had his qualities are were under his seal.

The Promised Messiah(as) has stated:

“Allah the Almighty made the Holy Prophet(saw) the possessor of a seal, that is to say that He granted him a seal for the dissemination of excellence which was not given to any other prophet at all. It is for this reason that he was named Khataman Nabiyyin. In other words, obedience to the Holy Prophet(saw) endows a person the excellences of prophethood and his spiritual influence fashions prophets as it were (Haqiqatul Wahi Page 28)

He(as) also states:“If it is asked that the Holy Prophet (saw) him being Khatamun Nabiyyeen, how can any other prophet arise after him? The answer is that without a doubt, no new or old prophet can come after the Holy Prophet as you believe that Jesus, being a prophet, would come in the latter days. Your doctrine is that for 40 years Jesus would continue to be a prophet and a recipient of divine revelation, a period that by far exceeds the period of the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet. Such a doctrine is, no doubt, sinful and its falsity is borne witness to by the Hadith: ‘There will be no prophet after me’.

I am utterly opposed to all such doctrines and I have firm belief in the verse:‘But he is the Messenger of Allah and Khatamun Nabiyyeen’ (33:41).

This verse contains a prophecy of which our opponents are not aware, and that prophecy is that after the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, all doors of prophecy have been closed and that it is not possible now that a Hindu or a Jew or a Christian or a merely formal Muslim, should be able to establish the applicability of the word prophet to himself.

All windows of Prophethood are now closed except the window of complete obedience to the Holy Prophet.Therefore, he who approaches God through this window is reflectively clothed with the same cloak of Prophethood which is the cloak of the Muhammadi Prophethood. The Prophethood of such a one is not apart and distinct from the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet, inasmuch as he does not claim it in his own right but receives everything from the fountain of the Holy Prophet, not for himself but for his glory….

Therefore the concept of Khatamun Nabiyyeen has not been contravened by my advent, but it would certainly be contravened by the advent of Jesus a second time.”( Ek Ghalti Ka Izalah ‘A Misconception Removed’)