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aaiil.org > Literature > Books > Prophethood in Islam by Maulana Muhammad Ali

Prophethood in Islam:

by Maulana Muhammad Ali

English translation of the Urdu book 'An-Nubuwwat fil-Islam' done by Sheikh Muhammad Tufail

'Abridged Version' contains chapters 1–3

Prophethood in Islam [PDFpdf] (22.6 MB)

Prophethood in Islam (Abridged Version) [PDFpdf] (5.44 MB)

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 (ma'sum)
    • 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)
    • Ru'ya 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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