Muhammad ﷺ is the 1st prophet

Introduction

Both “Sunnis” and Shias assert that Muhammad (SAW) is the final and ultimate prophet. However, when questioned about the possibility of Isa (AS) coming after Muhammad (SAW), they alter their position and argue that Muhammad (SAW) is the last prophet in terms of attaining the highest rank of prophethood. Thus, the coming of Isa (AS) does not contradict it. They contend that no one can attain prophethood after him.

This article aims to demonstrate that even this particular definition lacks foundation in the Quran and Ahadith.

Explanation

The following ahadith explain that Muhammad (SAW) was the first prophet to attain prophethood and he was Khatam an-Nabiyyin even before Adam (AS) was born.

قَالَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَتَى وَجَبَتْ لَكَ النُّبُوَّةُ قَالَ ‏ “‏ وَآدَمُ بَيْنَ الرُّوحِ وَالْجَسَدِ

Narrated Abu Hurairah:

“They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)! When was the Prophethood established for you?’ He said: ‘While Adam was between (being) soul and body.'”

[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3609]

إنِّي عندَ اللهِ مكتوبٌ خاتمُ النَّبييِّنَ، وإنّ آدمَ لمنجَدلٌ في طينتِه

“Verily, I was [already] ordained as Khatam al-Nabiyyin in the sight of Allah when Adam[as] was still kneaded in his clay.”

[Musnad Ahmad 17150]
Graded Sahih by Arna’ut
Graded Sahih by Al Albani

Hence, this effectively counters the argument presented by non-Ahmadis who assert that the arrival of a prophet after the Seal of the Prophet is impossible. However, Muhammad (SAW) clarifies that every prophet, without exception, emerged subsequent to his appointment as the Seal of the Prophets.

Refutation

The response provided by non-Ahmadi individuals to the aforementioned ahadith is as follows: undoubtedly, the Prophet (SAW) held the position of a prophet in the sight and knowledge of Allah, as He possesses comprehensive knowledge. Similar to how Allah is aware of the prophethood of every other prophet, the same applies to the Prophet (SAW).

However, this interpretation contradicts the intended meaning of the hadith. The purpose of the hadith is to elucidate the exceptional status of the Prophet (SAW), and it is categorized under the chapter titled “What Has Been Related About The Virtue Of The Prophet (SAW)” in Tirmidhi.

Furthermore, esteemed Muslim scholars have provided similar explanations. For instance, Imam Suyuti (RH) elaborates on this point by stating:

اور اگر کوئی اس کی تفسیر یہ کرے کہ اللہ تعالیٰ جانتا ہے کہ آپ مستقبل میں نبی ہوں گے ۔ تو یہ تفسیر مناسب نہیں ہے… میں اس وقت بھی نبی تھا جبکہ حضرت آدم سے روح و جسم کے درمیان میں تھے ۔ اس لیے کہ علم الہی میں تو تمام انبیاء علیہم السلام کی نبوتیں اس وقت بھی تھیں اور اس سے پہلے بھی تھیں۔ اس میں حضور نبی کریم ﷺ ہی کیا کیا تخصیص ہے؟ حالانکہ حضور نبی کریم ﷺ نے اس کا تذکرہ اسی لیے فرمایا کہ آپ ﷺ کی امت کو پتہ چل جائے کہ اللہ رب العزت نے آپ مے کو کس قدر مرتبہ اعلیٰ سے نوازا ہے

If someone interprets it as Allah Almighty knowing that Prophet (SAW) will be a prophet in the future, then this interpretation is not appropriate…

“I was a prophet even at that time when while Adam was between (being) soul and body.” Therefore, even at that time and before that, Allah knew about the prophethood of all the prophets. Then what special distinction does the noble Prophet (SAW) hold in this regard?

However, our noble Prophet (SAW) mentioned this so that his ummah may realize how greatly Allah, the Lord of Honor, has honored him.

[Al Khasais ul Kubra, vol. 1, pg. 13]