Academic View
According to A. C. Welch, Muslim interpretation of khatim an-nabiyyin as the "last and greatest of the prophets" is most likely based on a later interpretation. Carl W. Ernst considers this phrase to mean that Muhammad's "imprint on history is as final as a wax seal on a letter". According to Arabic lexicon and the linguistic usage Khatam means to affix seal; to close, to come to an end; and to carry something to its ultimate end. Wilferd Madelung states that the meaning of this term is not certain. Muslims also believe that a messenger is a prophet who received a book from God.
Read more about this topic: Khatim An-Nabuwwah
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