Allah’s final prophet and messenger was Muhammad, son of `Abdullah, son of `Abdul-Muttalib, son of Hashim, son on `Abdu- Manaf, of the Arab tribe of Quraysh, of the descendants of Ishmael, of the progeny of Abraham. His message is for all of mankind upto the Day of Judgement. It is no longer permissible to follow any previous prophet. Allah took a covenant from every prophet such that if he were to encounter Muhammad sallallahu `alayhe wa-sallam, he would believe in him and follow him. [(3) Aal-`Imraan, 81] The Prophet sallallahu `alayhe wa-sallam said, “There is no Jew, nor any Christian, who hears about me, and then does not believe in me and that which I have brought, except that Allah must enter him into the Fire.” (Related by Muslim.) He also said, “By Allah! Even if Moses were alive, in your midst, it would nto be lawful for him [to do anything] save to follow me.” (Related by Abu Ya`laa)

The evidence for the finality of his prophethood is :

1 - from the Qur’an : “ . . . but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Last of the Prophets.” [(33) Al- Ahzab, 40]

2 - from the authentic, mutawatir hadith. These are authentic ahadith so numerous and conclusive that anyone denying them falls outside the pale of Islam. e.g. “My likeness, with regard to the prophets, is that of a man who built a house, and then perfected it and beautified it, except for the place of a brick, so that whoever used to enter [the house] and look at it said, ‘How fine it is, except the position of this brick!’ So, I am the position of the brick; the prophets - blessings and peace be upon them - were brought to an end by me.” (Related by Bukhari and Muslim)

3 - the consensus of the Companions in fighting against Musaylimah, the Liar, who laid claim to
prophethood.