Twentieth Argument: Instructed his followers to refrain from using the word Nabi for him
| [ BACK ] | If
Hazrat Mirza had indeed claimed to be a prophet, he
certainly would never have instructed his followers to
refrain from using the word `prophet' (nabi) for
him, or told people at large to regard this word as
deleted wherever it occurred about him in order to avoid
confusion concerning his status. In fact, this was
exactly what he did: ``I wish to make it clear to all Muslim brothers that if they are displeased with these words, and if these words give injury to their feelings, they may regard them as amended and in every place instead of the word nabi, the word muhaddas should be understood, and the word nabi should be regarded as having been deleted.'' (Majmu`a Ishtiharat, vol. i, p. 313) ``This humble one has never, at any time, made a claim of nubuwwat or risalat [prophethood or messengership] in the real sense. To use a word in a non-real sense, and to employ it in speech according to its broad, root meaning, does not imply heresy (kufr). However, I do not like even this much, for there is the possibility that ordinary Muslims may misunderstand it.'' (Anjam Atham, footnote, p. 27) ``As these words [nabi, rasul], which are only in a metaphorical sense, cause trouble in Islam, leading to very bad consequences, these terms should not be used in our community's common talk and everyday language. It should be believed from the bottom of the heart that prophethood has terminated with the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace and the blessings of God be upon him, as God Almighty says: `He is the Messenger of God and the last of the Prophets'. To deny this verse, or to belittle it, is in fact to separate oneself from Islam. It should be remembered that I make no claim contrary to that of being a servant of Islam. The person who ascribes to me the contrary is making a fabrication against me.'' (Letter dated 17 August 1899; published in Al-Hakam, vol. 3, no. 29, August 1899) |