Among the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is that Allah elevated him above all other prophets and messengers. The Muslim community unanimously agrees that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the best of prophets in both this world and the Hereafter. Ibn Taymiyyah states in Majmu’ al-Fatawa (11/161):
"The best of Allah’s allies are His prophets, and the best of His prophets are the messengers among them. The best of the messengers are those of strong resolve: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad ﷺ. The best of them is Muhammad ﷺ, the Seal of the Prophets, the Leader of the Righteous, the Master of humanity, the Leader of all prophets when they gather, and their spokesperson when they assemble. He is the owner of the Praised Station, envied by all generations. He holds the Banner of Praise, the Fountain of Abundance, and the right of intercession on the Day of Judgment. He is the one for whom the highest status and virtue were decreed, as he was sent with the best scripture and the most excellent divine law."
Those Who Convey the Messages of Allah
Allah ﷻsays:
"˹That is His way with˺ those ˹prophets˺ who deliver the messages of Allah, and consider Him, and none but Allah. And sufficient is Allah as a ˹vigilant˺ Reckoner. Muḥammad is not the father of any of your men,1 but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things."
(Surah Al-Ahzab: 39-40)
Ibn Kathir, in his Tafsir (6/427), explains:
"Allah praises those who convey His messages to His creation, fulfilling their duty with utmost honesty. They fear Him alone and are not hindered by the fear of any person from delivering Allah’s messages. Sufficient is Allah as a supporter and helper. The greatest person in this role—indeed in all roles—is Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He fulfilled his duty to convey the message to all of humanity, spreading Allah’s Word and religion across the world."
The Finality of Prophethood
Allah ﷻ states:
" Muḥammad is not the father of any of your men,1 but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things."
(Surah Al-Ahzab: 40)
This verse is definitive proof that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet. If there is no prophet after him, then there can be no messenger after him, as the rank of messengership is even more specific than prophethood. Al-Tahir ibn Ashur, in his Tafsir al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir (22/45), remarks:
"This verse clearly affirms that Muhammad ﷺ is the Seal of the Prophets, and there will be no prophet after him among humankind. This understanding is agreed upon by the Companions and has been unanimously transmitted across generations. Any claim of prophethood after him is falsehood."
Prophetic Sayings Affirming His Finality
- The Parable of the Brick:
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The example of myself and the prophets before me is like a man who built a house, making it beautiful and complete except for the place of one brick. People walk around it admiring it, saying, 'Why isn't this brick in place?' I am that brick, and I am the Seal of the Prophets."
(Reported by Bukhari and Muslim.)
- The End of Prophethood:
Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"The messengership and prophethood have ended. There is no messenger or prophet after me."
(Reported by Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi.)
- Distinctive Characteristics of the Prophet:
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"I have been given superiority over other prophets in six ways: I have been given comprehensive speech, supported by awe, lawful gains from spoils of war, the earth as a place of purification and prayer, a universal message to all of creation, and I am the Seal of the Prophets."
(Reported by Muslim.)
Scholarly Reflections
Ibn Kathir, in his Tafsir (6/430), concludes:
"The numerous authentic traditions affirming the finality of prophethood with Muhammad ﷺ serve as a mercy to humanity. His status as the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, coupled with the completion of the divine law through him, leaves no room for doubt. Anyone claiming prophethood after him is a liar and deceiver."
