and that he is the Seal of the Prophets, the leader of the God-fearing, the master of the messengers, and the Beloved of the Lord of all worlds.

Al-Mujtabā has the same meaning as al-Muṣṭafā (the Chosen One).

A prophet is someone to whom Allah reveals a law but who is not commanded to convey it, whereas a messenger is someone to whom a law is revealed and who is commanded to convey it. This is the most widely cited distinction between a prophet and a messenger. “Commanded to convey it” means that he is charged with obligating the people to follow it and, if need be, to fight them over what he has brought.

A prophet likewise receives revelation and calls people to Allah, but he follows the prophets before him and walks the path they laid down; he does not come with a law of his own. Such were the prophets of the Children of Israel: they upheld the Torah and summoned the people to the Torah that Allah had revealed to Moses, upon him be peace.

Al-Murtadā carries the same sense as al-Mujtabā and al-Muṣṭafā; it means that Allah has chosen him and is pleased with him. These are among his ﷺ noble attributes.

He is the Seal of the Prophets. The term khātam (“seal”) means that no prophet will come after him. A seal is placed upon something so that nothing may be added to it or taken from it. Thus Allah sealed the messages with Muhammad ﷺ, as He, exalted is He, says: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets” (al-Aḥzāb 33:40). Therefore, there is no need for another prophet after him, for the Quran is present, the Prophetic sunnah is preserved, and the godly scholars are with us, calling people to Allah and enlightening them;