TRAITS OF THE HOLY PROPHET  

Q 1: What is meant by "Khasaais-e-Mustafa"?  

1. It is our "Eimaan" (Islamic faith) which is based on the teachings of Quran-o-Hadees that  Allah Almighty has granted special honour to some of the Prophets over the others and the Holy  Prophet Saiey-yidinaa Muhammad (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him) has  been endowed with "Rifat-o-'Azmat" (nobility and greatness) over all Apostles, Messengers and  Prophets. The Holy Quran says: "wa Rafa'a Ba'da hum Darajaat" (and some one is he who was  raised in degrees over all others). Religious scholars say that this "someone" in the verse stands  for the Holy Prophet. The mention of the Holy Prophet in ambiguity and without name leads to  the fact that his highest rank - "Saiey-yidul Mursaleen" (the chief, leader of all the Prophets) is so  eminent and established that whether his name is mentioned or not in respect of nobility and  greatness but the mind will definitely assume him to be the possessor of these privileges and  great traits. Hence, "Khasaais-e-Mustafa" means all those excellences and miracles (he has been  graced with) which make him superior to all Apostles, Messengers, Prophets, prominent angels  and all creatures of Allah. This exclusivity is meant only for the Holy Prophet and no other  Prophet has any share in it.  

Q 2: Which excellences and perfection does "Khasaais-e-Mustafa" embrace?  A. It is beyond human attainment to fully delineate the greatness, excellences and miracles of the  Holy Prophet. Allah Almighty, Who loves him, alone knows the real dignity and greatness of His  Beloved. Our belief to this effect is that he is superior to all Apostles, Messengers and Prophets  in every trait and miracle and that what all creatures of Allah (including Angels and Prophets)  have got, was actually granted to them by virtue of the Holy Prophet and what he has been  conferred upon was not granted to anyone. Whatever bounties, favours and excellences Allah  Almighty has granted to His creatures were, in fact, given to them through the Holy Prophet who  is the fountain-head of all favours and graces and is the cause of the creation of the world.  

Q 3: Some Ahaadees say that I (Holy Prophet) have been granted such five things that were not  granted to other Prophets. What does it mean?  

1. Some Ahaadees say that I (Holy Prophet) have been preferred over all the Prophets in six  things. Another Hadees reports that I excelled other Prophets in two things. Besides, it has been  narrated in a Hadees that Arch-Angel Gibreil gave me the good tidings often things which no  Prophet was granted to before me. These Ahaadees have not only the difference in the number of  things but the excellences and graces granted to the Holy Prophet are also different in the  Ahaadees. The fact is that the excellences, traits and privileges of the Holy Prophet are  innumerable and immeasurable. These occasional disclosures of his excellences and graces is  actually meant to enable the believers to memorise them thereby to illumine themselves with the  effulgence of the Holy Prophet's excellences and miracles and to perfect their love for him which  is the essence of Islamic faith. Some of the distinctive features of the Holy Prophet are summed  up here:  
2. The Holy Prophet is mercy for all the worlds. The Holy Quran declares: "wa Maaa Arsalnaaka  Illaa Rahmatal-lil-'Aalameen" (and We sent you (O' beloved) not but as mercy for all the  worlds). "Aalameen" is plural of "Aalam" (the world) and "Aalam" means all those things which  it contains except for Allah. Thus the Holy Prophet is the mercy and great favour of Allah  Almighty to all living and lifeless creatures of the worlds which also include Apostles, 

Messengers, Prophets and prominent angels and they all receive benefits and favours from his  infinitude of blessings and compassion. That's why, Muslim scholars maintain that whatever  Divine bounty and favour was given or is given or will be given to the believer or infidel,  righteous or sinful, angel or humanbeing, genie or animal, less or more, small or large, from the  beginning to the end, for temporal or spiritual benefit, to the soul or the body, visibly or  invisibly, from the beginning uptill now, from now upto the Doomsday, from the Doomsday to  the end and from the end to the eternity was, in fact, distributed, is distributed and will continue  to be distributed through the Holy Prophet. All received Allah's mercy through him. He is heir to  Allah's kingdom i.e. Allah Almighty has empowered him fully. He receives help directly from  Allah and the whole world seek(s) Divine help through him. In brief, what one received or  receives from Allah Almighty actually got or gets from him (Saiey-yidinaa Muhmmad, may  Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him, his posterity, his companions and on Saiey yidinaa Ghouse-e-'Azam). His lover and creator - Allah Almighty is "Rabbil 'Aalameen" (the  Sovereign Lord,Nourisher of all the universes) and he (Holy Prophet) is "Rahmatal-lil- 

'Aalameen"(mercy for all the universes) which reflects "Itlaaq-o-'Umoomiyat" (application of the  same word and commonness) between them in respect of "Aalameen" (the worlds, universes).  

2 . The Holy Prophet is the Prophet for all creatures of Allah. The Holy Quran says: "Wa Maaa  Arsalnaaka Illaa Kaaaffatal Lin-Naas" (and We sent you (O'beloved) not but with such  Messengership that encompasses the whole humanity). The religious scholars firmly maintain  that the Messengership of the Holy Prophet encompasses all humanbeings and genies and  Muslim researchers maintain that his Prophethood also embraces the angels. All trees and stones,  "Hoor-o-Ghilmaan" (houries and lovely young male servants in Paradise), the earth and heavens  and mountains, (in short) each and every particle of the earth (world), every leave of trees in  Oasis and every drop of ocean is within the ambit of his Messengership. The Holy Prophet has  been sent as Prophet to all mankinds, genies, animals, all living and inorganic matters and even  the angels. The Holy Quran itself announces about his Prophethood for all the worlds at another  place. The word "Khalq" (mankind,entire humanity) in the aforementioned verse stands for all  creatures of Allah which is stressed by the word "Kaaaffa" thereby to declare that the  Messengership of the Holy Prophet encircles all humanbeings and genies, Prophets and  Messengers and even prominent angels. The Holy Prophet, Saiey-yidinaa Muhammad (may  Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him) is the Messenger of all Apostles, Messengers  and Prophets and they all have, ipso facto, the same attachment to him as the  communities,nations of the respective Prophets have to them and indeed every living and lifeless  creation barring Allah. Therefore, religious scholars emphasise that the Holy Prophet is  Messenger for every mat soul/thing whose creator is Allah. The Holy Quran itself bears witness  to the fact that it was made obligatory in the world here-before upon the communities,nations of  all the Prophets to believe in them (Prophets) and they (all Prophets) were made to covenant for  believing in, loving and helping the Holy Prophet.  

The Holy Prophet once said: "by Him (Allah) in Whose hand my soul is! if Musa (Prophet  Moses) were alive today he would have no option but to follow me".  

Prophet Jesus who will descend from heavens towards the end of this world, will follow"  Shari'ah" of the Holy Prophet despite being a Prophet himself and live as his "Ummati"  (follower, a member of the Holy Prophet's community). He will also offer prayer under the  leadership of his (Holy Prophef's) Ummati and vicegerent, Imaam Mehdi. 

In brief, the Messengership of the Holy Prophet encompasses all Apostles, Messengers, Prophets  and their communities,nations and all creations from "Abul Bashar" (father of humanity),  Prophet Adam to the Doomsday.  

The Holy Prophet Saiey-yidinaa Muhammad (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon  him) is the leader,chief of all the Prophets which is borne out by the fact that he led the prayer of  all the Apostles, Messengers and Prophets in Aqsa mosque (Jerusalem) on "Me'raaj" night (night  of ascension). His real greatness and status will be fully manifested on the Doomsday when all  Apostles, Messengers and Prophets will gather under his flag, banner.  

3. The religion of the Holy Prophet is perfect and Divine favours are complete. Allah Almighty  says in the Holy Quran: "Al-yauma Akmaltu Lakum Deenakum wa Atmamtu 'Alaikum Ne'matee  wa Radeetu Lakumul Islaama Deenaa" (I have, this day, perfected your religion for you and  completed My favours upon you and have chosen Islaam as religion for you). The religious  scholars say that the "perfection of Islamic religion" means that Islaam will not be annulled like  the religions (Shari'ahs) of the past Prophets and that Islaam has been made a "complete code of  practical life" and "permanent conduct of life" providing solution to all issues and problems.  Thus its adherents and followers need not seek guidance from any other source.  

"Completion of favour" stands for the perfection of Islamic religion which is, indeed, the divine  favour to its followers.  

And "choosing of Islaam as religion" means the adherents and followers of Islaam should strictly  follow the commands,injunctions of Shari'ah without fail and must know that their salvation and  elevation in this world and the world hereafter lie in following Shari'ah. In short, the institution  of Prophethood, Messengership which reached its highest glory and perfection like a  humanbeing who attains the age of maturity and sanity at a certain stage in his life, has been  sealed for ever making the last message, delivered by the Last Prophet (complete and perfect in  all respects), fount and foundation to build up all injunctions, laws and code of life thereon for  the guidance of mankind till the end of time.  

If the institution of the Messengership had not climaxed and culminated in the Holy Prophet and  were to continue then mankind, creations would not have been commanded to follow only him  but instead it would have been enjoined to follow the Prophet of their age, time. The Holy Quran  repeatedly stresses that there is only one way for the guidance of humanity that is to follow the  commands of Allah and His Messenger Saiey-yidinaa Muhammad (may Allah's choicest  blessings & peace be upon him). If it is supposed that there was no clarification about the finality  of (Saiey-yidinaa) Muhammad's Prophethood in Quran-o-Hadees (though the supposition is  wrong) even then only this verse "Al-yauma Akmaltu Lakum Deenakum" (this day I [Allah]  have perfected your religion for you) was/is quite enough for our belief that when there was no  room left for further teaching or improvement then there was no need for any new Prophet to  succeed him (the Holy Prophet), for, the religion of Islaam has been perfected and the Holy  Quran is "Naasikh" of Shari'ahs (has annulled Shari'ahs) of all the past Prophets. Now there is no  need for any new religion or book of law.  

"Wal-Hamdu Lil-Laahi Rabbil 'Aalameen" (and all praise is due to Allah, the Creator, Nourisher  of all the worlds). 

4. The Holy Prophet is "Khaataman Nabeiyeen" (the Last Prophet). The Holy Quran says  "Walaakir Rasoolal Laahi wa Khaataman Nabeiyeen" (and he [Muhammad] is the Messenger of  Allah and the last one among all the Prophets). It is an unquestionable and certain belief of all  Muslims that Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him) is the  Last and Final Prophet of Allah and thus nobody can succeed him as Prophet in whatsoever way.  It is proved by categorical and definite Quranic verses and scores of authentic Ahaadees. The  annals of Muslim history are witness to the fact that if any lunatic claimed to be a phony Prophet,  the Islamic community spurned him. Besides, the holy war of the Prophet's companions against  the claimants of false Prophethood during the caliphate of Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique (may Allah  be pleased with him) also vindicates that all companions of the Holy Prophet understood  "Khaataman Nabeiyeen" as the Last Prophet and they firmly believed in the Holy Prophet as  such. What happened to "Musailema Kazzaab" (claimant of phony prophethood) is no secret.  

Q4: What does Shari'ah say about him who interprets "Khaataman Nabeiyeen" as "seal of the  Prophets" or "Afdal-un Nabeiyeen"?  

1. There are four kinds of meaning i.e. literal, Shar'ee, common and specific. According to  Shar'ee meaning "Khaataman Nabeiyeen" positively stands for "Aakhir-ul-Ambeeyaa" (the last  one among all the Prophets) without any other shade of meaning and the common meaning of it  is also the same as the Shar'ee one. Interpreting the word "Khaatam" as "seal, stamp" or "the  most distinguished" is also contrary to the literal meaning and thus it is absurd. Whether this  word is taken as "Khaatam" or "Khaatim" it definitely means "the last one" according to the  authentic and popular Arabic dictionaries and when spoken for any personage it means "Aakhir 

ul Qaum" (the last one of the group of Apostles, Messangers and Prophets). So "Khaataman  Nabeiyeen" means "Aakhir-ul Ambeeyaa".  

The word "Khaatimul Ambeeyaa" will stand true in its meaning only when the one upon whom  this honour has been conferred, must be the Last Prophet. He is so, indeed.  To invent or concoct any other term or meaning of any word (of the Holy Quran) than the  Shar'ee or popular one is not only veritable misguidance but also it is "Zindeqah-o-Ilhaad"  (hypocrisy and disbelief). Such non-sensical claims are not worth-heeding. If heeded, it will  upset the earthly and spiritual systems.  

And if the word "Khaatam" is taken to mean "seal, stamp" and "Khaataman Nabeiyeen" as the  "seal of the Prophets" even then it is proved that the Holy Prophet is the Last Messenger, for, a  container is sealed when filled and a topic, writing is stamped when complete. Hence, "the seal  of the Prophets" represents the fact that the list of the Prophets was complete and there was no  need for further addition. Therefore, it was sealed, stamped. It must be kept in mind that the way  by which the Holy Quran adduces arguments, reasons is so scholarly and comprehensive that a  thing, matter is defined and expounded by different styles and one Quranic verse becomes  exegesis of the other thereby manifesting the reality. So is the case with (Saiey-yidinaa)  Muhammad's Last Messengership. The clarion declaration of the Glorious Quran - "Al-yauma  Akmaltu Lakum Deenakum" (this day, I have perfected your religion for you), is before you.  This Quranic verse neither carries "Khaatam" nor "Khaatim" eliminating any chance of doubt  and supposition. It clearly and tersely announces that the Divine Law has gradually attained to  "perfection" leaving no room for any new message or messenger. This Last Message (Islaam)  and Last Prophet (Saiey-yidinaa Muhammad, may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon  him) will suffice for all ages, times and creations to come till the Doomsday. Apart from this, the  Holy Prophet has himself said in numerous Ahaadees that "I am the Last Prophet. No prophet  will follow me". After Quranic and Prophetic proofs on "Khaataman Nabeiyeen" no believer can 

even imagine interpreting it otherwise. In brief, whoever claims to be a prophet after Saiey yidinaa Muhammad (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him) or accepts or  acknowledges or testifies anybody as prophet (after the Holy Prophet) is "Zindeeq-o-Murtad"  (hypocrite, apostate and disbeliever) and the one who denies the accepted and popular meaning  of "Khatmul Nabuwah" (culmination of the institution of Prophethood in Saiey-yidinaa  Muhammad) or doubts it or invents or concocts any other meaning than the accepted and popular  one or even has a slight doubt in this respect, is accursed, out of Islamic fold and will be  consigned to hell-fire.  

Q 5: Please also explain some Ahaadees in respect of "Khatmun Nabuwah"?  A. There are numerous Ahaadees in this context. The substance of them is:  1. I am "Muhammad" (the one who has been highly praised). I am "Ahmad" (the most  commendable). I am "Maahee" i.e. Allah Almighty eliminates "Kufr" (infidelity, unbelief)  because of me. I am "Haashir" i.e. people will be resurrected on my feet on the Doomsday  meaning they will be resurrected after him. I am "Aqib" and Aqib is he whom no prophet will  follow i.e. there is no prophet after him.  

2. I am last of all Prophets.  
3. I was, indeed, "Khaataman Nabeiyeen" with Allah when Adam was yet in his clay.  
4. Undoubtedly the institution of Messengership and Prophethood has reached its highest glory  in me. Now, no Messenger or Prophet will come after me.  
5. If there were any prophet after me then he would be Umar. Everybody knows that Hadrat  Umar Farooque (may Allah be pleased with him) was not prophet so it is proved that there can  be no prophet after the Holy Prophet.  
6. There will appear nearly thirty "Dajjaal" (veritable liars, deceivers) in my Ummat (meaning  among mankind including believers and unbelievers as Islam is preached to all). Every one of  them will consider himself "prophet" i.e. will claim prophethood notwithstanding the fact that I  am "Khaataman Nabeiyeen" and no prophet will follow me.  
7. I and all other Prophets are like a palace which was built beautifully and magnificently but a  space for a brick was left unfilled. People visited it and expressed their amazement on the  master-piece, but all badly felt the unfilled space of a brick therein. With my advent the space is  filled and now the building is complete because of me. The institution of Messengership  climaxed in me. I am the very last brick of the "palace of Prophethood" and "Khaatimul  Ambeeyaa" (the Last Prophet).  
8. The whole earth has been made mosque and purifier for the Holy Prophet. He said: "Ju'ilat Li yal Ardu Masjidaoon wa Tahooraa" (the entire earth has been declared "Taahir-o-Mutaahir"  (clean, pure and purifier) for me. Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus worshipped at no  other place than in their synagogue, church, fire-temple and temple (respectively) but the prayer,  worship of the Muslims does not, according to Shari-ah, necessarily need a mosque, arch or  house. Their hearts and eyes are imbued with the spirit and light of Islaam. That's why each and  every part, place of the earth irrespective of important or unimportant suits them for worship.  Thus the whole earth has been made mosque for the Holy Prophet. Likewise, "Tahaarah"  (purification, cleanliness) is a prerequisite for prayer. Can Muslims, who consider every flora 

and flower and particle of dust, the fountainhead of Divine knowledge and seek after knowledge  therein, be relieved of the obligation of prayer due to non-availability of water. Humanbeing is  made of clay, earth. His genesis is earth and he will turn (after death) into the earth. The earth is  the cradle of creatures who subsist (directly or indirectly) on it. Accordingly, the earth has been  made "Tahoor" (pure and purifying) and substitute for water.  

9. The Holy Prophet has been gifted "Jawaami'ul Kalim". The Chief of Allah's creations Saiey yidinaa Muhammad (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him) said: "U'teetu  Bijawaami'il Kalim" (I have been gifted with comprehensive word,speech i.e. he speaks  concisely with each word carrying profound meaning).  

One can not help being impressed by the words of the Holy Prophet, if he listens to or reads,  which are brief, simple, unambiguous and full of truth, besides being the treasure of profound  meaning, knowledge and guidance.  

Another Hadees says: "Ukhtusira Li-yakhtisaaraa" (perfection, excellence has been capsuled for  me:  

1. I have been endowed with the "brevity of word, speech" i.e. he speaks concisely.  b. Time has been shortened for me so that my "Ummat" may not remain in graves for long.  c. Ages of my "Ummatis" (bondslaves, followers) have been shortened in order that they may  save themselves from odious things, commit fewer sins and attain to the Divine favours (in the  hereafter) soon.  
2. The travelling distance of "Siraat" (pathway over hell leading to paradise) which is of fifteen  thousand years, has been so reduced for my bondslaves that they will cross it in a trice like  lightning.  
3. The Doomsday will continue for fifty thousand years but it will be made easy for my  bondslaves easier than the time they spend in two Rak'ahs' prayer.  
4. My Ummat has been granted great reward for less virtuous deeds.  
5. The divine knowledge and secrets which can not be gained even by thousand years of efforts  and exercises, were revealed to my "As-haab" (companions) for their few days service to me.  h. The distance of millions of years between the earth and heavens was reduced for me - so much  so that I went there (heavens, empyrean even beyond that), visited all places and came back in  three "Saa'at" (moments).  
6. The book which has been descended on me has, despite limited pages, detailed information  about the past and future. Its each verse contains sixty thousand even more knowledge,sciences  and a verse of it can be explained in such an abundant detail that seventy camels may be needed  to carry the load of the papers so written.  
7. The whole world (from the east to the west) has been so shortened for me that I witness it and  all that which will happen in it till the Doomsday as if I see the palm of my hand.  k. The past communities, nations underwent arduous worship and trials but my Ummat has been  relieved of it. Fifty times prayer a day was reduced to only five times a day but the reward of  fifty times prayer remains intact. In "Zakaat" (poor-due) payment of one-fortieth of valuables is  obligatory instead of l/4th but the reward is granted of l/4th payment. This excellence is also one  of the Holy Prophet's "Ikhtisaar-e-Kalaam" (few words but profound meanings).  
8. The Holy Prophet has been granted the primacy of intercession. He said: "Wa U'teetush  Shafaa'ah" (I have been endowed with the right of intercession). Shafaa'ah of the Holy Prophet is  proved by innumerable authentic "Ahaadees". Every Muslim, who has correct beliefs, knows  well that no Prophet or Angel however prominent he was or is, was blessed with this primacy  except for Saiey-yidinaa Muhammad (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon him) who 

has been graced with the dignity of being Allah's Beloved and singular excellence of intercession  with Allah Almighty for His creatures on the Doomsday.  

On the Doomsday, all mankind will be gathered in a vast and even field. The blazing sun will  exhaust them. They all will consult with one another and decide to approach Prophet Adam for  relief from the ordeal. They will go to him and crave for "Shafaa'at" (intercession). He will say  "Nafsee Nafsee Izhaboo Ilaa Ghaieree" (I am busy with myself) you approach Prophet Noah.  They all will go to him and similarly to Prophet Abraham, Prophet Moses and Prophet Jesus but  no Prophet will help them in the distress. Having been frustrated and disappointed by all quarters  they will anyhow come to the Holy Prophet (Saiey-yidinaa Muhammadur Rasoolul Laah, Sallal  Laahu 'Alaiehi wa Sallam) who will intercede with Allah Almighty for them and thus they will  be helped out. Approach of the mankind to other Prophets on the Day of Judgement for  intercession than directly approaching the Holy Prophet (though the Holy Prophet's companions,  successors to companions, scholars of traditions, saints, savants etc: even the Prophets will be  there) is indicative of the fact that this well-known saying of the Holy Prophet will be erased  from their memory so that the greatness and dignity of the Holy Prophet is fully exposed to all  the past and future communities,nations and proponents and opponents and that the direct  approach to the Holy Prophet may also create a misgiving in somebody's mind that if they had  approached any other Prophet he might have interceded for them. After disappointment with  other Prophets all humankind will stand convinced of the exclusive privilege of the Holy  Prophet.  

AN ESSENTIAL POINT: We firmly maintain that the "Shafaa'at" (intercession) of Allah's  Beloved Prophet, Saiey-yidinaa Muhammad (may Allah's choicest blessings & peace be upon  him) is "Haq" (truth) and we are, by the grace of Allah Almighty, on the path of righteousness.  He (Holy Prophet) will definitely bless us with his "Shafaa'at". "Wahaabis" (followers of Abdul  Wahab, a 19th century so-called Arab religious leader who had erroneous beliefs particularly in  respect of the Holy Prophet) say it is not possible. They are right in their thinking! We hope the  intercession of the Holy Prophet will not be for such insolent people.  

The Holy Prophet himself said that his intercession is "Haq" (truth). Whoever does not believe in  his Shafaa'at is not worthy of it. Well, the traits and excellences of the Holy Prophet are not few.  Imaam Saieyutee (may Allah shower His mercy on him) has recounted nearly 250 of his  (Prophet's) qualities. Scholars and mystics who have been blessed with the Divine secrets have  more knowledge about it. The companions of the Holy Prophet had far greater knowledge than  the scholars and mystics, the knowledge of the Holy Prophet about his traits and excellences far  transcends all and the knowledge of his Creator (Allah Almighty) Who has lavished His  blessings, favours and graces upon His choicest Prophet in this world and has reserved many  more for conferring on him in the hereafter, is beyond human comprehension. An Hadees to this  effect says: "O'Abu Bakr! nobody could know me exactly except my 'Rabb'(Allah)".