مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًا 40
Translations
Muḥammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allāh and seal [i.e., last] of the prophets. And ever is Allāh, of all things, Knowing.
Transliteration
Mā kāna Muhammadun abā aḥadin min rijālikum wa-lākin rasūla -llāhi wa-khātama -n-nabiyyīn, wa-kāna -llāhu bi-kulli shay'in ʿalīmā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah clarifies that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was not the biological father of any living man among the believers, but rather he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets—meaning no prophet will come after him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note this was revealed in the context of the Prophet's adopted son Zayd, to clarify that adoption does not create the same kinship as biological lineage, while simultaneously affirming Muhammad's supreme status as the final and greatest prophet.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Madinah during the account of the Battle of the Confederates (Ahzab). It addresses the matter of Zayd ibn Harithah, the Prophet's adopted son, whose marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh was dissolved. The revelation clarified Islamic law regarding adoption while establishing the doctrine that Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets (Khātam al-Nabiyyīn).
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3531): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'I am the seal of the prophets; there is no prophet after me.' Also related: Muslim (2278) reports that the Prophet emphasized this status when he said no messenger will come after him.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Prophet Muhammad's role as the final messenger is a fundamental Islamic doctrine that provides guidance until the Day of Judgment, requiring Muslims to follow his Sunnah without expecting additional prophets. It also reminds us that while social bonds like adoption are important, they do not override biological realities, and Islamic law distinguishes between different types of relationships with wisdom.