Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Its regarding Prophet Isa (a.s.) and Prophet Mohamed (saws). Prophet Mohamed is said to be the last prophet sent to mankind. Then why is it mentioned in the hadith that Prophet Isa (a.s) will be sent down from the heavens before the Day of Judgement to mankind and he will die a natural death. Then he should be called the Last messenger of Allah. Eagerly awaiting for your answer. I seek forgiveness from god if I have misunderstood

something.

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Answer:

Why is Prophet Mohamed called the last prophet and not Isa (a.s)?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 40:Mohamed is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal (Last) of the Prophets. And Allah is the knower of everything.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.735 Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "My similitude in comparison with the other prophets before me, is that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for a place of one brick in a corner. The people go about it and wonder at its beauty, but say: 'Would that this brick be put in its place!' So I am that brick, and I am the last of the Prophets."

Musnad Abu-Dawud

Reported Jabir bin Abdullah that the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “Through me the Prophethood was brought to a close.”

Narrated in Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah.

Reported Ubayy bin Kaab, Abu Said al Khudri, and Abu Hurairah, that the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “I have been distinguished from the other Prophets in six things:

1.      I have been endowed with eloquent speech,

2.      I have been succoured with awe,

3.      Booty has been made lawful for me,

4.      The earth has been made a mosque for me as well as a means of obtaining purity,

5.      I have been appointed a Messenger for the entire world,

6.     And, with me, the office of Prophethood has been closed.

Reported by Tirmidhi.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “The line of Prophethood and Apostleship has come to an end. After me, there will neither be a Prophet or an Apostle.”

Allah Subhanah in the Holy Quran, and the Messenger of Allah (saws) in his various narrations have confirmed that Prophet Mohamed (saws) is indeed the Last of the Prophets, and with him the office of Prophethood was brought to a close.

It is indeed true that Prophet Jesus (a.s.) will come down to earth as a Sign from Allah Subhanah towards the end of time, and live on earth until his natural death.

The prime role of Allah’s Prophets and Messengers is to come to mankind with a mission of guidance, and establish their Sunnah for their people, and guide people to Allah’s Revelations and Allah’s Book. Prophet Jesus (a.s.) has already come to earth prior to his second coming with a mission of guidance, established his Sunnah for his people, and guided people to the Book that Allah Subhanah Revealed unto him.

When he comes a second time, Prophet Jesus (a.s.) will come as a muslim and a believer in the Message brought by the Last Messenger of Allah, Prophet Mohamed (saws). He will not guide people to the Gospel that was revealed to him earlier, but he will himself follow and guide people to the Book that was revealed to Prophet Mohamed (saws). He will neither establish his Sunnah, but he himself will follow and guide the believers to follow the Sunnah of the Last Messenger of Allah, Prophet Mohamed (saws). Neither will he bring a new Shariah, but he will ardently follow and guide the people to the Shariah brought by Prophet Mohamed (saws). He will neither change or alter the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohamed (saws) in the least, and will follow it in absolute perfectness.

Prophet Jesus (a.s.) will come to earth as a Sign from Allah Subhanah towards the end of time; and because he has already completed his mission of Prophethood in his first appearance, he will only come to follow and guide the believers to the Mission of Prophet Mohamed (saws) as a Sign from Allah Subhanah; thus in effect, he will not be considered the last Prophet, but that honor, according to the Quran and Sunnah belongs to Prophet Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah, Khatim an-Nabeeyeen.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 43 Surah Zukhruf verse 61: And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour) but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan