The Final Messenger: Prophecies, Commissioning, and the Universal Message of Muhammad (PBUH)

I. The Finality and Scope of the Prophetic Mission

The commissioning of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) occurred during a period often referred to as the Dark Ages, centuries after the departure of Prophet Jesus.. Islam holds that Allah, in His universal mercy, sent prophets and messengers to all nations.. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was designated as the last and most comprehensive of this series, known as the Seal of the Prophets (Khatam an-Nabiyyīn).   

While previous prophets were often sent to a specific tribe with a particular mission at a specific time, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was commissioned for all mankind.. His message, the Qur’an, is considered the Final Revelation and the Complete Code of Life, possessing a universal and comprehensive character valid until the Last Day.. The foundational principle is that the truth stands out clearly from error, as affirmed in the Qur'an..   

II. The Infallible Character of the Messenger

A key characteristic required of all prophets is absolute integrity, ensuring the uncorrupted transmission of the divine message. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known for his excellent character and cultured manners, earning the nickname al-Amīn (The Trustworthy) among his people long before his commission..

This integrity is encapsulated in the Islamic doctrine of prophetic infallibility (‘Iṣmah). Prophets are the most noble of creation and are protected by Allah from committing major sins. This protection is necessary because obedience to the Messenger is tantamount to obeying Allah (Qur'an 4:80). If a prophet were fallible, believers would face an impossible dilemma—whether to obey the messenger and risk sin, or disobey the messenger and risk disobeying God.   

It is on this theological basis that Muslims reject narratives found in parts of the Old Testament that ascribe moral transgressions, such as fornication (e.g., Prophet Lot) or adultery and murder (e.g., Prophet David), to the messengers of God. Such actions contradict the role of a prophet as a moral and intellectual exemplar..   

III. Confirmation in Previous Revelations

The unity of the prophetic mission means that all messengers brought the same core message: the total submission to the Will of Allah (Tawḥīd—the worship of the Only True God).. Because the message is unified, Muslims are required to believe in and respect all messengers without exception, as stated in the Qur'an: “We make no distinction between any of them, and we devote ourselves to Him” (Q. 2:136).   

The commissioning of the final messenger was anticipated by earlier prophets, fulfilling their mission by pointing toward the one who would complete the divine code.

A. The Prophecy of the Comforter (Aḥmad)

Prophet Jesus (‘Īsā) is reported in the Qur'an to have foretold the coming of the final messenger. The Qur'an records Jesus addressing the Children of Israel:

“O children of Israel! I am truly Allah's messenger to you, confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving good news of a messenger after me whose name will be Aḥmad.” (Q. 61:6)    

Aḥmad is one of the revered names of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This reference in the Qur'an aligns with the Christian narrative where Jesus anticipated the advent of the "Counselor," the "Comforter," or the "Spirit of truth," who would guide humanity into all truth after his departure.. The Qur'an explains that the coming messenger would not speak on his own authority but would relay what he heard from God, indicating a subservient servant (a prophet) and not a divine being..

B. The Status of Jesus (‘Īsā)

Prophet Jesus is highly revered in Islam as the Messiah (al-Masīḥ) and a mighty messenger. However, the Qur'an rejects the assertion of his divinity or his status as the "Son of God". The extraordinary circumstance of his birth without a father is refuted as a basis for divinity by drawing an analogy to Adam:   

“Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, 'Be,' and he was.” (Q. 3:59)    

The logic presented by commentators is that since Adam was created with neither a father nor a mother, his creation represents an even greater miracle of God’s absolute power. If miraculous birth conferred divinity, Adam would have a stronger claim. Both are therefore recognized as human creations of Allah’s command.   

C. The Challenge of Distortion (Tahrīf)

While affirming the original divine source of all previous revelations, the Qur'an reminds believers that some previous messages have suffered distortion (Tahrīf).. Early scholars understood this distortion primarily as a corruption of the original interpretation (Tahrif al-ma'nā), where the People of the Book deliberately obscured or changed the understanding of verses, particularly those foretelling the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).   

IV. The Preservation and Completion of the Message

The Qur'an confirms the previous messages in essence while correcting errors introduced by human hands, thus completing the code of life.. The final revelation to Muhammad (PBUH) was meticulously recorded during his lifetime in both written form and memory, ensuring that it reached future generations in an uncorrupted state..

The Qur'an itself serves as the ultimate witness, not only by containing the universal, unadulterated message but also by confirming the dignity of previous prophets, such as glorifying Jesus and dedicating an entire chapter to his mother, Mary (Maryam).. The purpose of this final, preserved message is to guide mankind away from falsehood and toward total submission to the Creator, which brings complete peace mentally and physically..

Conclusion

The overwhelming evidence for the commissioning of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), particularly through the theological consistency of the prophetic chain, the purity of his character, and the prophecies contained within earlier scriptures, solidifies his role as the final, universal messenger. His message, which requires belief in all prophets, remains the complete and preserved code of life for all mankind until the Last Day.