[Thread: Continuation of Prophethood In Islam]

Assalamu alakium. An apparently controversial topic between both Ahmadis, and non-Ahmadis is the subject of the continuation of prophethood in Islam. This thread will go over why non-law-bearing prophethood remains within Islam.

One of the false allegations levelled against Ahmadiyyah is that we do not believe in the Seal of Prophethood. This is completely false. The Promised Messiah (as) has established in numerous places in his books that the Holy Prophet (saw) is the Seal of Prophets.

Prophethood is terminated except by way of buruz & zill. With the allegation of Ahmadis not believing in the Seal of Prophethood refuted, let's address the topic of the continuation of non-law-bearing prophethood.

1/ Although Law-bearing prophethood & prophethood directly bestowed upon someone are terminated, the Qur’an establishes in Surah 4:70 and Surah 10:65 that through obedience to the prophet (saw), there will be some among the Muslims who would be given prophethood.

This seems apparently in contradiction to the clear verse of Surah 33:41 that prophethood is terminated. Although this is true, there is one part of prophethood that remains: Prophethood by way of buruz & zill.

What is buruz and zill? Buruz is the spiritual manifestation of a prophet or saint that has already appeared. The buruz is someone who comes in the likeness of the individual that has come.

Zill (or zillyat) has a similar meaning. Zill signifies complete devotion to the Holy Prophet (saw). So much so, that the individual begins to become as if they were a reflection of the Holy Prophet (saw) in a mirror.

The Holy Qur’an mentions both of these concepts above in the 62nd chapter. A brief analysis of the 3rd and following verse shows that it talks of the sending of the Holy Prophet (saw) to an unlettered people who are purified and given the Book

and, it mentions people who will be LIKE the people whom the Holy Prophet (saw) was sent to. Thus, signifying someone who will come in the likeness of Rasulullah (saw).

When asked about the meaning of the verse, the Holy Prophet (saw) replied that someone from among the people of Salman would bring back the faith after the faith has ascended.

Other ahadith that talk of Buruz and Zillyat are from Sunan Dawud regarding the Imam Mahdi. These two hadiths clearly indicate that the Mahdi would be much like Muhammad (saw) in conduct, but not Muhammad (saw) himself:

One may ask how does buruz and zill have anything to do with Islam? The answer is that the Holy Quran & ahadith command us to imitate the Holy Prophet (saw) in everything that we do. When a believer imitates the Sunnah so much, they become the zill (mirror) of Muhammad (saw).

We know from the Holy Qur’an that the Holy Prophet (saw) is the best of prophets (33:41) and that, similarly does it address the believers of Muhammad (saw) as the best of people.Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) for example, was the best of the sahaba which was why he was known as “Siddiq”

Another example would be the fact that if a believer has seen Rasulullah (saw) in a dream, they have indeed seen him. We know that often, this means that the believer is righteous because of his imitation of the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw).

Moreover, “Muhammad” means “a man that is praised” according to Lane’s Lexicon, and this name cane apply to anyone who reflects fine characteristics according to Ibn Faris as quoted by Imam Nawawi in his tafsir of Imam Muslim’s Introduction to his Sahih.

This is completely consistent with the statement written by Hadhrat Ahmad (as) regarding why he is called, Messenger, Nabi, Muhammad, & Ahmad in heaven due to his zill of the Holy Prophet (saw). Thus, the Khatam-e-Nabuwwat is safeguarded, and belongs to the Holy Prophet (saw).

2/ It is said in Sahih Bukhari 6990, that Prophethood is terminated, but true dreams, and visions, and that dreams and visions are one of the 46 parts of prophethood. Notice how it states, “True dreams of a believer”. Ahmad (as) commentates on this in Elucidation of Objectives.

It is interesting to note that right after Bukhari quotes the ahadith of Mubasharat in his Book of Dreams, he then quotes a few verses from the 12th Surah of the Qur’an, Yusuf. It is important to note the only form of revelation Hadhrat Yusuf (as) ever received was dreams.

He then mentions the dream of Hadhrat Ibrahim (as). Ru’ya (dreams/visions) is most surely the only thing of prophethood left as testified to by Bukhari regarding prophets, Hadhrat Yusuf (as) & Hadhrat Ibrahim (as):

3/ It is a fact that the Jesus of the latter days which is the Promised Messiah (as) is called "Prophet" 4 times, & that he would receive Wahi.

4/ The Promised Messiah (as) offers excellent explanations of the above references from the first 3 points of this thread.

4/ Since prophethood by way of buruz and zill through true dreams and visions remains & the fact the Messiah is both Ummati and Nabi, we wish to add another testimony as to why prophethood by way of zill and buruz in ru'ya remains.

It is mentioned in the 52nd verse of Surah 42 that revelation can be divided into 3 forms:

• Revelation
• Behind the veil 
• Sending of an Angel

Hadhrat Muslih Ma'ud (ra) offers great insight behind this verse.