In Islam, wisdom and the culmination of revelation are embodied in the personality of Muhammad, who is symbolically marked as the "Seal of the Prophets.

The Final Seal: Muhammad and the Universality of Revelation

In Islam, wisdom and the culmination of revelation are embodied in the personality of Muhammad, who is symbolically marked as the "Seal of the Prophets." The introduction of this concept signifies a transition from numerous prophetic messages to a single, universal teaching intended for all humanity and even the unseen realm of spirits. Muhammad’s core message is based on several unalterable principles: the finality of revelation, its immutability, and the fact that it serves as the ultimate guide for salvation. Unlike previous bearers of the divine word, his message transcends narrow communities by offering a universal path that unites both peoples and jinn. Therefore, the acceptance of this very teaching becomes a key condition for achieving true spiritual perfection, emphasizing that after Muhammad, no new prophet capable of bringing forth an equally complete and all-encompassing revelation can emerge.

Who, in your view, can be considered the last prophet, and what criteria determine this status?

From my perspective, when considering the issue from the standpoint of Islamic tradition, Muhammad can be regarded as the last prophet. His status is based on a number of criteria that distinguish his message from that of all previous prophets. Firstly, in Islam it is believed that there will be no other messengers after Muhammad, for he is the "Seal of the Prophets." This signifies that he delivered a final, complete, and uncorrupted revelation intended not for a select group of people but for all nations and even the spiritual world.

Secondly, an important criterion of a true prophet is the universality of the message. Unlike previous prophets, Muhammad’s message is addressed to all of humanity and the jinn, making his teaching a common guide for all people. The impossibility of the emergence of a new prophet is underscored by the assertion that accepting Muhammad as the final messenger is a necessary condition for attaining salvation.

In summary, the criteria determining the status of the last prophet include:
1. The finality and uncorrupted nature of the revelation.
2. A universal message intended for all people.
3. The fact that, according to tradition, no new messengers will appear after this prophet.

Supporting citation(s):
"Consequently, no messengers will come after him, and Muhammad is considered the last prophet, the 'Seal of the Prophets.' Unlike all those before, who were supposedly sent to specific peoples, Muhammad was sent to all people and jinn (spirits) and is, in the opinion of Muslims, the greatest prophet and the most perfect of humans, an unerring model to follow. His mission is universal, and without accepting him as a prophet, one cannot enter paradise." (source: link txt)