Eleventh Argument: Words Nabi & Rasul used in Metaphorical & linguistic sense

[ BACK ] If Hazrat Mirza had indeed claimed to be a prophet, he would not have considered the words `prophet' (nabi) and `messenger' (rasul or mursal) about him, from his revelations, to be in a purely metaphorical and linguistic sense, as opposed to their technical and theological sense. He wrote:

``Do not level false allegations against me that I have claimed to be a prophet in the real sense. It is true that, in the revelation which God has sent upon this servant, the words nabi, rasul and mursal occur about myself quite frequently. However, they do not bear their real sense: `To each the terms he uses'. So this is the terminology of God, that He has used these words. We believe and acknowledge that, according to the real meaning of nubuwwat [prophethood], after the Holy Prophet Muhammad no new or former prophet can come. The Holy Quran forbids the appearance of any such prophets. But in a metaphorical sense God can call any recipient of revelation as nabi or mursal. Have you not read those Sayings of the Holy Prophet in which occur the words rasulu rasul-illah [`messenger of the Messenger of God']? The Arabs to this day call even the message-bearer of a man as a rasul, so why is it forbidden for God to use the word mursal [messenger] in a metaphorical sense too? Do you not even remember from the Quran the words: `So they [some non-prophets] said, We are messengers to you'? Consider justly whether this is a basis for takfir [calling a Muslim as kafir]. If you were questioned by God, what argument would you have for declaring me to be a kafir. I say it repeatedly that these words rasul and mursal and nabi undoubtedly occur about me in my revelation from God, but they do not bear their real meanings.''

(Siraj Munir, p. 3)

``By virtue of being appointed by God, I cannot conceal those revelations I have received from Him in which the words nubuwwat and risalat occur quite frequently. But I say repeatedly that, in these revelations, the word mursal or rasul or nabi which has occurred about me is not used in its real sense. (Such words have not occurred only now, but have been present in my published revelations for sixteen years. So you will find many such revelations about me in the Barahin Ahmadiyya.) The actual fact, to which I testify with the highest testimony, is that our Holy Prophet, peace and the blessings of God be upon him, is the Last of the Prophets, and after him no prophet is to come, neither an old one nor a new one. But it must be remembered that, as we have explained here, sometimes the revelation from God contains such words about some of His saints in a metaphorical and figurative sense; they are not meant by way of reality.''

(Anjam Atham, footnote, pp. 27--28)