Day of Protection of the Finality of Prophethood in Pakistan
Safeguarding the Geographical and Ideological Boundaries
The first week of September holds special significance for the Muslims of Pakistan.
On September 6, 1965, India violated Pakistan’s international borders and launched a cowardly attack. In response, the Pakistan Armed Forces, with the full support of the entire nation, made sacrifices for the defense of the homeland, thwarted the enemy’s ambitions, and protected the geographical frontiers of Pakistan.
And the date of September 7 is important in this regard because, on September 7, 1974, the Parliament of Pakistan unanimously made a significant and historic decision against Mirza Qadiani and his followers. Mirza Qadiani had attacked one of the most important and fundamental beliefs of Islam—the belief in the Finality of Prophethood (ﷺ), which is the very foundation and basis of the religion. On this matter, the Parliament unanimously declared Mirza Qadiani and his followers as non-Muslims and outside the fold of Islam, thereby safeguarding the ideological frontiers of Pakistan.
Khatm-e-Nubuwwat Day in Pakistan
September 7, 1974, was a momentous and historic day in Pakistan’s history, when the belief in the Finality of Prophethood was implemented into the Constitution in its complete essence. On this day, the unanimous law was passed declaring that only the one who believes in the Oneness of Allah and acknowledges the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the Last Prophet would be considered a Muslim. The credit for this goes not only to the religious leadership of that time but also to the political leaders and the then-ruler, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It was the most significant and historic achievement in the legislative history of the country.
To be a Muslim, it is essential to believe in the Oneness of Allah and to accept the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as the Final Prophet. Without this, no one can enter the fold of Islam, and this very principle is also enshrined in the law of our beloved homeland. With the approval of this law, the Qadianis were declared non-Muslims.
The State’s Responsibility Regarding the Belief in the Finality of Prophethood
There is a need that, prior to employment in every government institution, an oath affirming the belief in the Finality of Prophethood should be taken. This is so that in our nation’s defense, governance, education, training, and other most important sectors, individuals who might, God forbid, reach crucial positions with the intention of teaching our future generations false concepts regarding the belief in the Finality of Prophethood—thus conspiring to drive them out of the fold of Islam—are completely barred.
In this matter, the rulers must immediately, through an official decree, obtain the oath affirming the belief in the Finality of Prophethood from all government employees.
The rulers must, under all circumstances, ensure that under the pretext of protecting minorities, no kind of betrayal or tampering with the belief in the Finality of Prophethood should ever be permitted. This is especially crucial because, under international pressure, compromises on this matter have been repeatedly made in our country.
Even a street dog is better than us if we cannot protect the belief in the Finality of Prophethood
You can realize how extremely important the protection of the belief in the Finality of Prophethood is from this incident of ʿAllāmah Anwar Shāh Kashmīrī قدس سرّه (may his secret be sanctified):
On 26th August in Bahawalpur, he was to lead the Jumuʿah prayer. The mosque was so full that not even a spot remained, and the surrounding streets and alleys were also filled with worshippers. After the prayer, as he began his address, he stated:
“It has become clear to us that even a street dog is better than us if we cannot protect the belief in the Finality of Prophethood.” (Reference: Kamālāt-e-Anwarī)
Sacrifices for the Finality of Prophethood
Allama Syed Muhammad Anwar Shah Kashmiri’s Declaration among those who rendered outstanding services for the protection of the belief in the Finality of Prophethood during the twentieth century, the name of Hazrat Mawlānā Syed ʿAtāʾullāh Shāh Bukhārī stands foremost. He said:
“As for the people who were martyred in the Khatm-e-Nubuwwat Movement, am I not accountable for their blood? They were slain in the love of the Messenger (ﷺ). I call Allah Almighty as my witness that it was I who had kindled within them the spirit of martyrdom.”
Through the movement of Hazrat ʿAtāʾullāh Shāh Bukhārī نور الله مرقده (may Allah illuminate his resting place), an awakening was created within the Ummah for the protection of the Finality of Prophethood, and the Muslims of India, with full passion and zeal, leapt into the battlefield.
Hazrat Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (رضي الله عنه) also sacrificed seven thousand ḥuffāẓ of the Qur’an for the sake of safeguarding the Finality of Prophethood.
In summary, during the Islamic era of governance, whenever anyone attacked or spoke against the belief in the Finality of Prophethood, the Muslim caliphs and rulers brought them to justice. Hundreds of such examples are recorded in the annals of history. In particular, the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent made great sacrifices in this cause.
Indeed, the chain of deniers of the Finality of Prophethood began in the blessed era of the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) himself. After him, the noble Companions (رضي الله عنهم) and all segments of the Ummah continued, at every level, to protect this core belief.
The Unanimous Decision of the National Assembly
On 30 June 1974, a unanimous resolution concerning the Qadianis was presented in the National Assembly, after which the entire Assembly was declared a Special Committee to deliberate on the matter. At that time, the Prime Minister, Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, announced that whatever decision the National Assembly would take, the government would accept it.
Thereafter, for 90 days, continuous discussions and debates took place. Mirza Nasir Ahmad, who was then the head of the Qadianis and their self-proclaimed “caliph,” was given the opportunity to clarify and present his position before the Assembly for 11 days. His arguments were heard and discussed in detail. After listening to both sides and fulfilling all requirements of justice, it was unanimously decided that the Qadianis are outside the fold of Islam.
Accordingly, on 7 September 1974, a bill was presented in both the National Assembly and the Senate, which stated:
“Any person who does not believe in the Finality of Prophethood and regards any false claimant of prophethood as a prophet or reformer shall, under the purposes of the Constitution and the law, not be considered a Muslim.”
This bill was unanimously passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate. Finally, on the night of 7 September 1974 at 8 p.m., Radio Pakistan announced that the National Assembly and Senate had unanimously declared the Qadianis to be a non-Muslim minority.
The moment this announcement was heard, people came out onto the streets in joy, congratulating one another. This decision not only represented the sentiments of the people of Pakistan and the entire Muslim Ummah, but also enhanced the honor of Pakistan in the Muslim world—showing that the Muslims of Pakistan would never allow anyone to encroach upon the belief in the Finality of Prophethood.
Therefore, this is not an issue belonging to any single religious party, sect, or merely the scholars. Rather, it is the collective, unanimous belief and consensus of the entire Muslim Ummah. The protection of the belief in the Finality of Prophethood is, in fact, the protection of the whole religion and of faith itself.
May Allah Almighty grant us complete attachment to this belief, and safeguard us from every kind of false trial and mischief.
