The Last Prophet Muhammad (saw)

The prophethood started in the history of humanity with Prophet Adam ("Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the worlds," the verse (Ali 'Imran, 3/33-34) points that the prophethood started with Prophet Adam.) and ended with Prophet Muhammad (saw). According to Islam, Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the last prophet. No other prophet will be ever sent after him. "Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men. But [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing." (Ahzab, 33/40) In the above verse, this situation is clearly stated. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) also said, "Indeed Messenger-ship and Prophethood have been terminated, so there shall be no Messenger after me, nor a Prophet." (Tirmidhi, Ru’yâ, 2; Ibn Hanbal, III, 268) and stated that no other prophet will be sent after him. The last link in the chain of prophets, worthy of the blessing of the prophethood, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) expressed being the last prophet in another hadith as follows: "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." (Bukhari, Manaqib, 18) This hadith, at the same time, states that all the prophets conveyed the same religion to the people, and it ended with the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

The fact that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the last prophet is certain by the verse, hadith, and the ijma of the ummah. This fact is also a historical and sociological fact. The ones who came up with the claim of being a prophet at various times could not prove their claims and were known as false prophets.

The prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) is not only limited to the region or society in which he was born and raised. He was sent upon all humanity. The Almighty Allah said, "And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner."in the Holy Qur'an. (Saba, 34/28) Allah (swt) sent Prophet Muhammad (saw) to enlighten people, to direct them to good, right, and pleasant, to make them away from wrong, and to call them to his way, which is the right one. Related to this, it is stated in the Surah al-Ahzab as follows: "O Prophet! Indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp." (Ahzab, 33/45-46)

The prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (saw) is a mercy upon all humans. In this matter, it is said, "And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds." in the Holy Qur'an. (Anbya, 21/107) The fact that a virtuous generation grew from a society buried in the darkness of ignorance in Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century happened as a result of the completion of the human superiority of Prophet Muhammad (saw) with the duty of prophethood. 

According to the Qur'an, believing in the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (saw) is one of the belief principles of Islam. Believing that he is Allah's servant and messenger is an indispensable condition of being a mu'min. Regarding this issue, it is stated in the Surah al-Baqarah as follows: "The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], 'We make no distinction between any of His messengers'." (Baqarah, 2/285) 

As stated in the Qur'an, all of the messengers were sent to be obeyed. (Nisa, 4/64) Thus, what people need to do is to obey the Prophet Muhammad (saw). In this respect, it is said, "...So fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers." (Anfal, 8/1) in the first verse of the Surah al-Anfal.  Obedience to Prophet Muhammad (saw) is to fulfill the requirements of faith by complying with the orders of Allah and avoiding His prohibitions. So obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the requirement of the duty of being a servant of Allah. According to the Qur'an, reaching the right path depends on obeying the Prophet Muhammad (saw). In this respect, the Almighty Allah orders: "Say, 'Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away - then upon him is only that [duty] with which he has been charged, and upon you is that with which you have been charged. And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided..." (Nur, 24/54) 

Since Prophet Muhammad (saw) informed people of Allah's orders and prohibitions, obedience to Allah (swt) and obedience to Prophet Muhammad (saw) are regarded as equivalent in the Qur'an. It is stated in a verse as follows: "He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah. But those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian." (Nisa, 4/80)  In this topic, our Prophet (saw) said in one of his hadiths as follows: "Who obeys me obeys Allah. And who disobeys me disobeys Allah..." (Muslim, Imara, 33)

The Holy Qur'an also expresses obedience to Prophet Muhammad (saw) as a means of gaining the love of Allah and being purified from sins. Almighty Allah (swt), said in Surah Ali 'Imran as follows: "Say, 'If you love Allah, then follow me, so Allah will love you and forgive your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (Ali 'Imran, 3/31) So obeying our Prophet, who is a good example for the believers,  (Ahzab, 24/21) is not only an indication of loving Allah, but also the only way to gain His love. 

Believing in Prophet Muhammad (saw) includes obeying him, acting according to the orders and prohibitions of Allah, as well as taking His messenger as an example. This is not possible by blindly and unconsciously imitating him, but by taking him as an example with a conscious and heartfelt commitment. Displaying all kinds of words, attitudes, and behaviors that will gain Allah's pleasure, which is called "good deeds", means believing in Prophet Muhammad (saw), following him, obeying him, and taking him as an example.