Belief In Risalat

Outline:

• Definition Of Nabi
• Proofs From the Quran And Hadith
• Conclusion

Definition Of Nabi:

The word Prophet or Nabi means “An ambassador between Allah and the rational being from amongst creatures.” Thus the second part of the Kalima, signifies that God has not left man without guidance for the conduct of his life. He has revealed His commands through His prophets. Thus, in Islamic teachings Risalat means transmitting or reaching the commandment of Allah revealed to a chosen by Him to the Creature of God. These commandments and percept may be in the form of a verbal message or practice of a prophet and these are to be conveyed to people by an Apostle, this is called Risalat or Prophethood.

The belief in the finality of Prophethood bears as much importance as other convictions of faith, because without verbal acceptance and inner conviction of this faith no one enters the fold of Islam.

Proofs From The Quran And Hadith:

The Holy Quran says:

“Mohammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the seal of the Prophets, and Allah is aware of all things.”
(Al-Ahzab: 40)

The second basic postulate of Islam is to believe in the Prophethood of Muhammad and to accept the religion presented by him, and to follow his commands.

The Holy Quran says:

“O’ thou Prophet!
We have surely sent thee as a
witness and as bringer of
glad tidings and as a warner.
And as one who summons towards
God with His commands and
as a light-giving sun.
and give glad tidings to the
faithful that for them is great
grace from God.”
(Al-Ahzab: 45-47)

The Muslims must have faith not in Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) alone but also in all other prophets who appeared before Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). “Righteousness is this that one should have faith in Allah; and the Last Day and the angels, the books and the prophets.” (Al-Quran). All the prophets belong to one community and they were all raised for the same purpose and their teachings were essentially the same.

Mohammad is the last prophet and as such the final model for mankind. To believe in him means to accept his authority as representative of the Supreme Lord and follow his example in thought and behaviour. Belief in him involves the acceptance of Sharia, the Path, he conveyed and implement that in all walks of life. Thus the will of God is fulfilled on the earth.

The Quran said:

“Every Messenger who was sent by Us was sent for the purpose that he should be obeyed under the sanction of Allah.”
(An-Nisa: 69)

And that for the last prophet it is explicitly stated that:

‘Nay, O, Mohammad! By your Lord, They are not believer until they accept you the final arbiter in all their disputes and submit your decision whole heartedly without headache.”
(An-Nisa: 65)

The test of acceptance in God and prophets lies in conducting all human affairs in accord with the Law revealed by Allah.

“And those who do not make their decisions in accordance with that revealed by God, they (in fact) are disbelievers.”
(Al-Ma’ida: 44)

It was announced by Prophet (PBUH) that:

“I am the last messenger, there will be no messenger after me.”

Therefore, after the advent of the last Prophet, the message of Islam has come to its perfection. There will be no prophet after as he was the seal of prophets.


Conclusion:

Above stated facts prove that “Faith in the finality of prophet” has got fundamental value. Together with faith in the oneness of God, it is imperative also to have faith that Muhammad (PBUH) of all the prophets came in the last and God completed His Commands and messages through him, and also that his Prophethood was not for a particular people, but he was chosen as an Apostle for the entire world. The canons communicated through him are to last till Doomsday and these percept and practices were made to be followed as Quranic injunctions in all times. No deviation from this is ever permissible. Under these circumstances if any one claims himself to be a Prophet, he is a liar, imposter and Dajjjal. Anyone following him is an infidel.