Deobandi (Qasim Nanotvi): If Another Prophet Comes Does not Affect Khatam an-Nabuwwah

The founder of the Deobandi sect, Mawlana Qasim Nanotawi, has famously denied the interpretation of Khatam an-Nabuwwah (Seal of Prophethood) which is believed in by the general public of the Muslims, in favor of a more nuanced and gnostic understanding. In his infamous book Tahdhir an-Nas, Qasim Nanotawi said:

بلکہ اگر بالفرض بعد زمانہ نبوی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کوئی نبی پیدا ہو تو پھر بھی خاتمیت محمّدی میں کچھ فرق نہ آئے گا۔

چہ جائیکہ آپ کے معاصر کسی اور زمین میں یا فرض کیجئے اسی زمین میں کوئی اور نبی تجویز کیا جائے۔

Translation: “Rather, if, hypothetically, after the time of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihi wasallam) another Prophet is born, even then it will make no difference to the Khaatamiyyat-e-Muhammadi (Seal of Prophethood of Muhammad) – similarly if another Prophet is his contemporary in another Earth, or even on this Earth another Prophet is made.”

Reference: Tahdhir-un-Nas (Idara al-Aziz); p.85