Bahá’í Approach to the Claim of Finality in Islam

Abstract

Because it precludes the acceptance of Messengers of God after the Islamic dispensation, the concept of the finality of prophethood (khatm al-nubuwwa) is the major theological barrier between the Bahá’í Faith and Islam. This article surveys the philological, theological, and historical interpretations of the terms Prophet and Seal, and offers an approach based upon the Bahá’í writings to their meaning that reconciles the “Seal of the Prophets” doctrine with progressive revelation. In addition the related problem. of the finality of Islam is analyzed. The article argues the need for a multiplicity of interpretive methods in addressing problems of religious pluralism.