The holy Quran and the holy Prophet’s Ahadith (Traditions) eloquently prove that prophethood (‘nubuwwat’ and ‘risalat‘) came to an end with our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). There are decisive verses to that effect. Being the last Prophet in the chain of prophethood no one ever shall now succeed him to that status or dignity. 

“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets, and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta´ala) is Aware of all things.” (Quran. AI-Ahzab Surah 33, Ayah 40).

INTERPRETATION OF THE HOLY QURAN

All the interpreters of the Holy Quran agree on the meaning of ‘Khatam-un-Nabieen’ that our Prophet (SAW) was the last of all the prophets and none shall he exalted to the lofty position of prophethood after him. 

Imam Hafiz Ibn-e-Khateer

His explanatory remarks on the above verse are as follows: “This verse is conclusive of the precept that our Prophet is the last prophet and that there shall be no `nabi’ after him. When there shall be no ‘nabi’ to follow him the ordainment of a `Rasool’ cannot arise by the logic of anteriority because the status of a `Rasool’ is more exclusive than that of a `nabi’. Every `Rasool’ is a `nabi’ but every `nabi’ is not a `Rasool’. There exists a continuous and unbroken chain of citations of Ahadith from a large number of venerable `Sahabah’ or Companions of the Prophet (Allah be pleased with them), that, there shall be no ‘Nabi’ or `Rasool’ after Muhammad.” (Tafseer Ibn-e-Khateer, Vol.3) 

By Imam Qurtabi

Imam Qurtabi comments on the quoted verse as follows: “Said Iben-e-Atiya that the words (Khatam-un-Nabieen) according to the learned men of the Ummah of the present and the past indicate perfect comprehensiveness and signify, in consonance with the Quranic injunction, that there shall be no Prophet after Muhammad (Peace be upon him).” 

Hujjat ul Islam Imam Ghazali 

Hujjat ul Islam, Imam Ghazali explains the said verse in these words: “No doubt the Ummah has unanimously understood from this word (Khatam-un-Nabieen) and its circumstantial reference to mean non-existence of a `Nabi’ or `Rasool’ ever after Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and that (this word calls for) no reservation or tacit interpretation in it; hence its dissident is certainly the one who rejects (ummah’s) unanimity.” (Al Iqtisad fil Etiqad, p.123)