Seal of the Prophets

[whoistrue]

I have read that Muhammad is the seal of the prophets, and am wondering exactly what that means. What is the full meaning of the Arabic word for seal?

It is my understanding that a prophet predicts the future, as it appears Muhammad was able to do. But what about people who have prophecied after him? I have read that Joan of Arc made specific predictions that came true. Can she be a prophet and Muhammad as well, even if he is the 'seal'.

 

[Talha777]

I have read that Muhammad is the seal of the prophets, and am wondering exactly what that means. What is the full meaning of the Arabic word for seal?

Seal of the Prophets is one of the exclusive qualities of Prophet Muhammad (alaihi salaatu wa salaam). In Arabic it is khatamun nabiyeen, and this is mentioned in 33:40. It means that he is the last and final prophet, because a seal (khatam) means to close something, such as a letter.

But what about people who have prophecied after him? I have read that Joan of Arc made specific predictions that came true. Can she be a prophet and Muhammad as well, even if he is the 'seal'.

Joan of Arc was not a prophet, because women cannot attain the status of prophethood obviously, and furthermore Muhammad (alaihi salaatu wa salaam) is the last and final prophet, that is the standard Islamic belief, whoever rejects it is outside the fold of Islam. If any so called prophecies of joan of arc were fulfilled, which I highly doubt, it was due to pure coincidence, NOT because she was a prophet.