Does the Hadith Claim Muhammad was the final messenger?

Nowhere in the Quran does it claim that Muhammad was the final messenger (rasool). The Quran only confirms that Muhammad was the final prophet (nabi).

[33:40] Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger of GOD and the final prophet. GOD is fully aware of all things.

 مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِنْ رِجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا

As discussed in previous articles, the verses of the Quran conflict with the claim that Muhammad was the final messenger. The Quran even warns of communities that received messengers who erroneously believed that the messenger that was sent to them was the last one.

[40:34] Joseph had come to you before that with clear revelations, but you continued to doubt his message. Then, when he died you said, “GOD will not send any other messenger after him. (He was the last messenger)!”** GOD thus sends astray those who are transgressors, doubtful.

 وَلَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِنْ قَبْلُ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِي شَكٍّ مِمَّا جَاءَكُمْ بِهِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَنْ يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ رَسُولًا كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُرْتَابٌ

When traditionalists are confronted with this fact, they claim that the Hadith confirms that Muhammad was the final messenger. When checking Ibn Kathir’s tafsir of the Quran for 33:40, the only citation he has that makes such a claim comes from the following Hadith.

Anas bin Malik narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: ‘Indeed Messengership and Prophethood have been terminated, so there shall be no Messenger after me, nor a Prophet.'” He(Anas) said: “The people were concerned about that, so he (s.a.w) said: ‘But there will be Mubashshirat.’ So they said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! What is Mubash-shirat?’ He said: ‘The Muslim’s dreams, for it is a portion of the portions of Prophethood.'”

حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الزَّعْفَرَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَفَّانُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ يَعْنِي ابْنَ زِيَادٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُخْتَارُ بْنُ فُلْفُلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ إِنَّ الرِّسَالَةَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ قَدِ انْقَطَعَتْ فَلاَ رَسُولَ بَعْدِي وَلاَ نَبِيَّ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَشَقَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَقَالَ ‏”‏ لَكِنِ الْمُبَشِّرَاتُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا الْمُبَشِّرَاتُ قَالَ ‏”‏ رُؤْيَا الْمُسْلِمِ وَهِيَ جُزْءٌ مِنْ أَجْزَاءِ النُّبُوَّةِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَحُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ أَسِيدٍ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَأُمِّ كُرْزٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ مِنْ حَدِيثِ الْمُخْتَارِ بْنِ فُلْفُلٍ ‏.‏

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2272
https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:2272

Mubashshirat literally means the things which bring news. Typically translated as glad-tidings, but based on the context, the news may cause either pleasure or pain.

The Issue

One problem with the above Hadith is that if we look at other narrations regarding Al-Mubashshirat, none of these narrations include the claim that Muhammad said he was the last messenger (rasool). The other narrations don’t even make any connection with messengership at all. All the other narrations are always in the context of prophethood (nabi).

Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “Nothing is left of the prophetism except Al-Mubashshirat.” They asked, “What are Al-Mubashshirat?” He replied, “The true good dreams (that conveys glad tidings).

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، حَدَّثَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏”‏ لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ إِلاَّ الْمُبَشِّرَاتُ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالُوا وَمَا الْمُبَشِّرَاتُ قَالَ ‏”‏ الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ ‏”‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 6990
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6990

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying: “All that is left of prophecy is the mubashshirat.”* He was asked what that meant and said it was a good vision.
Bukhari transmitted it. Malik added in the version of ‘Ata’ b. Yasar, “which a Muslim man sees, or which is shown to him.”

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ إِلَّا الْمُبَشِّرَاتُ» قَالُوا: وَمَا الْمُبَشِّرَاتُ؟ قَالَ: «الرُّؤْيَا الصالحةُ» . رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ
وَزَادَ مَالِكٌ بِرِوَايَةِ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ: «يَرَاهَا الرجل الْمُسلم أَو ترى لَهُ»

Mishkat al-Masabih 4606, 4607
https://sunnah.com/mishkat:4606

Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from Ata ibn Yasar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “All that will be left of prophecy after me are the mubashshirat.” They said, “What are the mubashshirat, Messenger of Allah?” He said, “The true dream which a man who is salih sees – or which is shown to him – is a forty-sixth part of prophecy.”

وَحَدَّثَنِي عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏”‏ لَنْ يَبْقَى بَعْدِي مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ إِلاَّ الْمُبَشِّرَاتُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالُوا وَمَا الْمُبَشِّرَاتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏”‏ الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ يَرَاهَا الرَّجُلُ الصَّالِحُ أَوْ تُرَى لَهُ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ وَأَرْبَعِينَ جُزْءًا مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Muwatta Malik
https://sunnah.com/malik/52/3

It was narrated that Umm Kurz Al-Ka’biyyah said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Prophecy is gone, but good dreams remain.’”

حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْحَمَّالُ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ سِبَاعِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أُمِّ كُرْزٍ الْكَعْبِيَّةِ، قَالَتْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ ذَهَبَتِ النُّبُوَّةُ وَبَقِيَتِ الْمُبَشِّرَاتُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sunan Ibn Majah 3896
https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3896

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) drew aside the curtain when he was sick, and the rows (of worshippers) were behind Abu Bakr. He said: ‘O people, nothing of the glad tidings of prophecy is left except a good dream that a Muslim sees or is seen about him.’”

حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ الأَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ سُحَيْمٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَعْبَدِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كَشَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ السِّتَارَةَ فِي مَرَضِهِ وَالنَّاسُ صُفُوفٌ خَلْفَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْ مُبَشِّرَاتِ النُّبُوَّةِ إِلاَّ الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ يَرَاهَا الْمُسْلِمُ أَوْ تُرَى لَهُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sunan Ibn Majah 3899
https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3899

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “All that is left from Prophethood is the glad tidings.” He was asked what the glad tidings were, and he said, “The good dream.” [Al-Bukhari].

وعن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال‏: ‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏: ‏ ‏”‏لم يبق من النبوة إلا المبشرات‏”‏ قالوا‏: ‏ وما المبشرات‏؟‏ قال‏: ‏ ‏”‏الرؤيا الصالحة‏”‏ (( رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيُّ))‏.‏

Riyad as-Salihin 837
https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:837

Narrated AbuHurayrah: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished the dawn prayer, he would ask: Did any of you have a dream last night? And he said: All that is left of Prophecy after me is a good vision.

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ، عَنْ زُفَرَ بْنِ صَعْصَعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا انْصَرَفَ مِنَ صَلاَةِ الْغَدَاةِ يَقُولُ ‏”‏ هَلْ رَأَى أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمُ اللَّيْلَةَ رُؤْيَا وَيَقُولُ ‏”‏ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ يَبْقَى بَعْدِي مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ إِلاَّ الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sunan Abi Dawud 5017
https://sunnah.com/abudawud:5017

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “The Prophet (ﷺ) drew back the curtain when the people were in rows behind Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and said: ‘O people, there is nothing left of the features of Prophethood except a good dream that a Muslim sees or is seen by others for him.’ Then he said: ‘Verily, I have been forbidden from reciting the Qur’an when bowing or prostrating. As for bowing, glorify the Lord therein, and as for prostration, strive hard in supplication for it is more deserving of a response.'”

أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ سُحَيْمٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَعْبَدِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كَشَفَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم السِّتَارَةَ وَالنَّاسُ صُفُوفٌ خَلْفَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ – رضى الله عنه – فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْ مُبَشِّرَاتِ النُّبُوَّةِ إِلاَّ الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ يَرَاهَا الْمُسْلِمُ أَوْ تُرَى لَهُ – ثُمَّ قَالَ – أَلاَ إِنِّي نُهِيتُ أَنْ أَقْرَأَ رَاكِعًا أَوْ سَاجِدًا فَأَمَّا الرُّكُوعُ فَعَظِّمُوا فِيهِ الرَّبَّ وَأَمَّا السُّجُودُ فَاجْتَهِدُوا فِي الدُّعَاءِ قَمِنٌ أَنْ يُسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sunan an-Nasa’i 1045
https://sunnah.com/nasai:1045

Ibn ‘Abbas said: The Prophet(ﷺ) lifted the curtain (and saw that) the people were standing in rows(of prayers) behind Abu Bakr. He said: O people, there remained nothing that gives good tidings from prophethood except a true dream which a Muslim has himself or which another Muslim has for him. I have been prohibited to recite the Qur’an while bowing or prostration. As regards owing, exalt the Lord in it, and as to prostration, make supplication with exertion in it, that is worthy of being accepted.

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ سُحَيْمٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَشَفَ السِّتَارَةَ وَالنَّاسُ صُفُوفٌ خَلْفَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْ مُبَشِّرَاتِ النُّبُوَّةِ إِلاَّ الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ يَرَاهَا الْمُسْلِمُ أَوْ تُرَى لَهُ وَإِنِّي نُهِيتُ أَنْ أَقْرَأَ رَاكِعًا أَوْ سَاجِدًا فَأَمَّا الرُّكُوعُ فَعَظِّمُوا الرَّبَّ فِيهِ وَأَمَّا السُّجُودُ فَاجْتَهِدُوا فِي الدُّعَاءِ فَقَمِنٌ أَنْ يُسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sunan Abi Dawud 876
https://sunnah.com/abudawud:876

Final Prophet Hadith

Yet, we see many Hadith where it is stated that Muhammad was the final prophet.

Amir b. Sa’d b. Abi Waqqas reported on the authority of his father that Muawiya b. Abi Sufyan appointed Sa’d as the Governor and said: What prevents you from abusing Abu Turab (Hadrat ‘Ali), whereupon be said: It is because of three things which I remember Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) having said about him that I would not abuse him and even if I find one of those three things for me, it would be more dear to me than the red camels. I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) say about ‘Ali as he left him behind in one of his campaigns (that was Tabuk). ‘Ali said to him: Allah’s Messenger, you leave me behind along with women and children. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said to him: Aren’t you satisfied with being unto me what Aaron was unto Moses but with this exception that there is no prophethood after me. And I (also) heard him say on the Day of Khaibar: I would certainly give this standard to a person who loves Allah and his Messenger, and Allah and his Messenger love him too. He (the narrator) said: We had been anxiously waiting for it, when he (the Holy Prophet) said: Call ‘Ali. He was called and his eyes were inflamed. He applied saliva to his eyes and handed over the standard to him, and Allah gave him victory. (The third occasion is this) when the (following) verse was revealed: “Let us summon our children and your children.” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) called ‘Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Husain and said: O Allah, they are my family.

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبَّادٍ، – وَتَقَارَبَا فِي اللَّفْظِ – قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا حَاتِمٌ، – وَهُوَ ابْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ – عَنْ بُكَيْرِ بْنِ مِسْمَارٍ، عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ أَمَرَ مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ سَعْدًا فَقَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَسُبَّ أَبَا التُّرَابِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا مَا ذَكَرْتُ ثَلاَثًا قَالَهُنَّ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَنْ أَسُبَّهُ لأَنْ تَكُونَ لِي وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ حُمْرِ النَّعَمِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ لَهُ خَلَّفَهُ فِي بَعْضِ مَغَازِيهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ خَلَّفْتَنِي مَعَ النِّسَاءِ وَالصِّبْيَانِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسَى إِلاَّ أَنَّهُ لاَ نُبُوَّةَ بَعْدِي ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ يَوْمَ خَيْبَرَ ‏”‏ لأُعْطِيَنَّ الرَّايَةَ رَجُلاً يُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيُحِبُّهُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَتَطَاوَلْنَا لَهَا فَقَالَ ‏”‏ ادْعُوا لِي عَلِيًّا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَأُتِيَ بِهِ أَرْمَدَ فَبَصَقَ فِي عَيْنِهِ وَدَفَعَ الرَّايَةَ إِلَيْهِ فَفَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏{‏ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ‏}‏ دَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلِيًّا وَفَاطِمَةَ وَحَسَنًا وَحُسَيْنًا فَقَالَ ‏”‏ اللَّهُمَّ هَؤُلاَءِ أَهْلِي ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sahih Muslim 2404d
https://sunnah.com/muslim:2404d

Narrated ‘Amir bin Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas: from his father, saying “Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan ordered Sa’d, saying ‘What prevented you from reviling Abu Turab?’ He said: ‘Three things that I remember from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prevent me from reviling him. That I should have even one those things is more beloved to me than red camels. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) speaking to ‘Ali, and he had left him behind in one of his battles. So ‘Ali said to him: “O Messenger of Allah! You leave me behind with women and children?” So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: “Are you not pleased that you should be in the position with me that Harun was with Musa? Except that there is no Prophethood after me?” And on the Day of (the battle of) Khaibar, I heard him saying: “I shall give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him.” So we all waited for that, then he said: “Call ‘Ali for me.” He said: ‘So he came to him, and he had been suffering from Ramad (an eye condition), so he (ﷺ) put spittle in his eye and gave the banner to him, then Allah granted him victory. And when this Ayah was revealed: ‘Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women…’ (3: 61) the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called ‘Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husain and said: “O Allah, these are my family.”

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَاتِمُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، عَنْ بُكَيْرِ بْنِ مِسْمَارٍ، عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ أَمَّرَ مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ سَعْدًا فَقَالَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ أَنْ تَسُبَّ أَبَا تُرَابٍ قَالَ أَمَّا مَا ذَكَرْتُ ثَلاَثًا قَالَهُنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَنْ أَسُبَّهُ لأَنْ تَكُونَ لِي وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ حُمْرِ النَّعَمِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ لِعَلِيٍّ وَخَلَفَهُ فِي بَعْضِ مَغَازِيهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ تُخَلِّفُنِي مَعَ النِّسَاءِ وَالصِّبْيَانِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ أَمَا تَرْضَى أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسَى إِلاَّ أَنَّهُ لاَ نُبُوَّةَ بَعْدِي ‏”‏ ‏.‏ وَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ يَوْمَ خَيْبَرَ ‏”‏ لأُعْطِيَنَّ الرَّايَةَ رَجُلاً يُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيُحِبُّهُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَتَطَاوَلْنَا لَهَا فَقَالَ ‏”‏ ادْعُ لِي عَلِيًّا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَأَتَاهُ وَبِهِ رَمَدٌ فَبَصَقَ فِي عَيْنِهِ فَدَفَعَ الرَّايَةَ إِلَيْهِ فَفَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ ‏.‏ وَأُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏: ‏ ‏(‏ فَقلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ ‏)‏ الآيَةَ دَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلِيًّا وَفَاطِمَةَ وَحَسَنًا وَحُسَيْنًا فَقَالَ ‏”‏ اللَّهُمَّ هَؤُلاَءِ أَهْلِي ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ ‏.‏

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3724
https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:3724

Another chain from Abu Hurairah who narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “I have been honored over the Prophets with six (things): I have been given Jawami’ Al-Kalam, I have been aided by (the ability to cause in the enemy) fright, the spoils of war have been made lawful for me, the Earth has been made as a Masjid and purifier for me, and I have been sent to all creatures, and with me Prophethood is sealed.“

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ فُضِّلْتُ عَلَى الأَنْبِيَاءِ بِسِتٍّ أُعْطِيتُ جَوَامِعَ الْكَلِمِ وَنُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ وَأُحِلَّتْ لِيَ الْغَنَائِمُ وَجُعِلَتْ لِيَ الأَرْضُ مَسْجِدًا وَطَهُورًا وَأُرْسِلْتُ إِلَى الْخَلْقِ كَافَّةً وَخُتِمَ بِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1553
https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:1553

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon hlmg) said: I have been given superiority over the other prophets in six respects: I have been given words which are concise but comprehensive in meaning; I have been helped by terror (in the hearts of enemies): spoils have been made lawful to me: the earth has been made for me clean and a place of worship; I have been sent to all mankind and the line of prophets is closed with me.

وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، – وَهُوَ ابْنُ جَعْفَرٍ – عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ فُضِّلْتُ عَلَى الأَنْبِيَاءِ بِسِتٍّ أُعْطِيتُ جَوَامِعَ الْكَلِمِ وَنُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ وَأُحِلَّتْ لِيَ الْغَنَائِمُ وَجُعِلَتْ لِيَ الأَرْضُ طَهُورًا وَمَسْجِدًا وَأُرْسِلْتُ إِلَى الْخَلْقِ كَافَّةً وَخُتِمَ بِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sahih Muslim 523a
https://sunnah.com/muslim:523a

https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3455

Final Brick Hadith

Another frequently cited Hadith to support the idea that Muhammad explicitly declared himself the final messenger (rasool) is a narration attributed to Abu Huraira, found in multiple Hadith collections. The narration compares the line of prophets to a beautifully built structure missing a single brick. Muhammad is presented as that final brick, completing the construction.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “The way in which I may be compared with the prophets is by a castle which was beautifully constructed, but in which the place of one brick was left incomplete. Sightseers went round admiring the beauty of its construction with the exception of the place for that brick. Now I have filled up the place of that brick, in me the building is completed and in me the messengers are complete.” A version has “I am the brick and I am the seal of the prophets.”

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ كَمَثَلِ قَصْرٍ أُحْسِنَ بُنْيَانُهُ تُرِكَ مِنْهُ مَوضِع لبنة فَطَافَ النظَّارُ يتعجَّبونَ من حُسنِ بنيانِه إِلَّا مَوْضِعَ تِلْكَ اللَّبِنَةِ فَكُنْتُ أَنَا سَدَدْتُ مَوْضِعَ اللَّبِنَةِ خُتِمَ بِيَ الْبُنْيَانُ وَخُتِمَ بِي الرُّسُلُ» . وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: «فَأَنَا اللَّبِنَةُ وَأَنَا خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ» . مُتَّفق عَلَيْهِ

Mishkat al-Masabih 5745
https://sunnah.com/mishkat:5745

However, again, we find a similar phenomenon that in all narrations of this Hadith in the Sittah, this expression “in me the building is completed and in me the messengers are complete” from Mishkat al-Masabiah is not found. Instead, the only piece that is found is that he is the final prophet (nabi).

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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.”

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ إِنَّ مَثَلِي وَمَثَلَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ مِنْ قَبْلِي كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ بَنَى بَيْتًا فَأَحْسَنَهُ وَأَجْمَلَهُ، إِلاَّ مَوْضِعَ لَبِنَةٍ مِنْ زَاوِيَةٍ، فَجَعَلَ النَّاسُ يَطُوفُونَ بِهِ وَيَعْجَبُونَ لَهُ، وَيَقُولُونَ هَلاَّ وُضِعَتْ هَذِهِ اللَّبِنَةُ قَالَ فَأَنَا اللَّبِنَةُ، وَأَنَا خَاتِمُ النَّبِيِّينَ ‏”‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 3535
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3535

Abu Hurairh reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles before me is that of a person who built a house quite imposing and beautiful, but for one brick in one of its corners. People would go round it, appreciating the building, but saying: Why has the brick not been fixed here? He said: I am that brick and I am the last of the prophets.

وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ، وَابْنُ، حُجْرٍ قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، – يَعْنُونَ ابْنَ جَعْفَرٍ – عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ السَّمَّانِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُ الأَنْبِيَاءِ مِنْ قَبْلِي كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ بَنَى بُنْيَانًا فَأَحْسَنَهُ وَأَجْمَلَهُ إِلاَّ مَوْضِعَ لَبِنَةٍ مِنْ زَاوِيَةٍ مِنْ زَوَايَاهُ فَجَعَلَ النَّاسُ يَطُوفُونَ بِهِ وَيَعْجَبُونَ لَهُ وَيَقُولُونَ هَلاَّ وُضِعَتْ هَذِهِ اللَّبِنَةُ – قَالَ – فَأَنَا اللَّبِنَةُ وَأَنَا خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Sahih Muslim 2286c
https://sunnah.com/muslim:2286c

This pattern suggests that the more embellished expression—“in me the messengers are complete”—is not part of the earliest or most widely accepted transmission. Rather, it appears to be a narrative interpolation, likely inserted by later transmitters to reinforce the doctrine of finality.

Another reason to question this entire Hadith is the obvious parallel between this Hadith and biblical language. The metaphor of a stone or brick completing a building echoes Psalm 118:22, which says:

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”
— Psalm 118:22

Jesus Himself applies this verse to his own mission in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10–11, and Luke 20:17, portraying himself as the rejected but divinely appointed foundation of God’s plan. In these New Testament accounts, the metaphor becomes a claim to both rejection by men and divine selection—a cornerstone rather than merely a final brick.

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
— Matthew 21:42

“Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:
‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
— Mark 12:10–11

Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:
‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?”
— Luke 20:17

Here, Jesus speaks this after giving the Parable of the Tenants, where the tenants kill the landowner’s son. It is a veiled but clear reference to himself being rejected by the religious leaders, yet appointed by God as the foundation of God’s redemptive plan.

In sum, the Hadith comparing Muhammad to a final brick in a building has been interpreted by later narrators as an explicit claim of being the last messenger. However, the more authentic versions refrain from drawing that conclusion themselves. The expansion found in secondary sources like Mishkat al-Masabih appears to be theological extrapolation, not a direct quote.