Islam Rediscovered
17. Prophetic Vision
~ 300 ~
certainly not right. These spiritual personalities
have never made a claim in clear terms such as the
Prophet Muhammad did: No doubt, I am a Prophet
of God. (
Ibn Hisham
)
The first instance in this connection is that of
Musailama of Yamama (Arabia), a contemporary of
the Prophet, who died in 633 AD. It is said that he
claimed prophethood. But the fact is that his claim
was not that of being an independent Prophet but
rather of being a co-sharer in the Prophethood of
Muhammad.
He
sent
to
the
Prophet
Muhammad, may peace be upon him, in Madinah a
two-member delegation who brought with them a
letter from him in which it was clearly stated: “I
have been made a partner in this matter of
prophethood with him (Muhammad).” (
Seerat ibn
Hisham
, p. 244)
This makes it evident that Musailama had never
claimed independent prophethood. His claim, in
fact, was that of having been appointed as a partner.
This means that he himself referred the matter of
prophethood to the Prophet Muhammad, may
peace be upon him, himself. That is to say, that only
