| Distinction
between literal and technical meanings |
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The words nabi (`prophet')
and rasul (`messenger' or
`apostle') are well-known to every Muslim. These terms
are generally understood in the technical sense assigned
to them by Islamic theology and Shari`ah. But in Islamic
literature these terms have also been used in a broad,
literal (i.e. original linguistic) sense, or in a
non-technical metaphorical sense, to refer to those who
are not prophets. We
first show that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad has clearly
distinguished between the technical and linguistic
meanings of nabi and rasul, and also between the real
and metaphorical use of these words. In the
proper, technically-defined sense of these words, no
prophet can come after the Holy Prophet Muhammad. In the
linguistic sense, or as a metaphor, these terms can be
used for any saint, and it is only in this sense
that Hazrat Mirza applied them to himself.
We then turn to the
concept of muhaddas and give extracts from the
writings of Hazrat Mirza to show that such a saint can be
called nabi and rasul in the linguistic and metaphorical
senses noted above. Lastly, views of other religious
scholars are also cited to support the same conclusion.
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