By Attahawi / 23 Jan 2013

Allah the Exalted, has made the name of His Messenger clear in the Noble Qur’an. In Surah al-Fath, verse 29 Allah said:

 قالاللهتعالى(مُّحَمَّدٌرَّسُولُاللهِوَالَّذِينَمَعَهُأَشِدَّاءعَلَىالْكُفَّارِرُحَمَاءبَيْنَهُمْ)

It means: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him

 are severe against the blasphemers, and merciful among each

 other.”

Also, Allah mentioned in the Qur’an that Prophet Isa, peace be upon him, informed his people about Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. In Surah as-Saff, verse 6 Allah said:

 قالاللهتعالىإخباراعنعيسىعليهالسلام(وَمُبَشِّرًابِرَسُولٍيَأْتِيمِنبَعْدِياسْمُهُأَحْمَدُ)

It means: “… And bringing the good news about a Messenger who will

 come after me whose name shall be Ahmad.”

These are indications about the most famous names of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, Muhammad and Ahmad. “Muhammad” is the name which is repeated many times in the Qur’an, the name “Ahmad” was mentioned by Prophet Isa (peace be upon him).

 The scholars of Islam said that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was named “Ahmad” because he is the most grateful among thankful people. All of the prophets are grateful but our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is the most thankful and grateful to his Creator.

As for the name “Muhammad” it is derived from the attribute of “al-Hamd” which means thankfulness. The name “Ahmad” was mentioned in the earlier Divine Books, and the name “Muhammad” was mentioned in the Noble Qur’an. He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was named Muhammad because he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was thankful to Allah before any of his people did. Also, in the Hereafter he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam will thank Allah Who will grant him the intercession.

Al-Bukhari related that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:

قالرسولاللهصلىاللهعليهوسلم: "إنليأسماء: أنامحمدٌ،وأناأحمدُ،وأناالماحيالذييمحواللهبيالكفر،وأناالحاشرالذييحشرالناسعلىقدمي،وأناالعاقبُالذيليسبعدهأحد" رواهالبخاري

It means: “I have five names, I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am

 al-Mahi (The eraser) with whom Allah erases blasphemy, I am

 al-Hashir whom people will be assembled after, and I am

 Aqib (the last of all of the prophets).”

 In interpreting this hadith Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani said: “It appears that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam meant that he had five names which no one before him was named with in the past nations.”

The scholars interpreted his saying “al-Mahi (the eraser) with whom Allah erases blasphemy”, that Allah would erase blasphemy in the Arabian Peninsula by Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

His saying “I am al-Hashir whom people will be assembled after” was interpreted by the scholars that he will be first one to be assembled and the rest of the creations will come after.

As for his saying: “I am al-Aqib”, the scholars said that it means that our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is the last of all the prophets. Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is the last of all of the prophets and messengers. Neither there will be a new messenger nor a new prophet after him. This issue is unquestionable as it is mentioned in the Qur’an and in many hadiths.

Al- Bukhari related that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:

 "لانبيبعدي" رواهالبخاري

It means: “There is no prophet after me.”

At-Tirmidhi also related that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:

"لوكانبعدينبيلكانعمر" رواهالترمذي

Which means: “If there were to be a prophet after me, it would be Umar.”

This hadith shows clearly two things: First that there will be no prophet after Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, second it shows the high status of our Master Umar Ibnul Khattab may Allah raise his rank.

So for those who try to alter the meanings of the Qur’an and its verses, they have no foundation to their claims. Neither Ghulam Ahmad al-Qadyani nor any other person is a new prophet.

After Prophet Isa peace be upon him descends, he will rule the Earth with the rules (Shariah) of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam which Muslims are ordered to follow until the Day of Judgement.

 We ask Allah to keep us on the straight path, grant us a good ending, assemble us with the best of the prophets sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and to bestow on us the bounty of entering Paradise without torture.