Despite the undeniable fact that the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ is the last and final Prophet, there have been instances of people claiming Prophethood, even during his lifetime.
The finality of the Prophethood is clearly mentioned in the Quran as the “seal of the Prophets” (خاتم النبيين). The 40th verse of Surah Al-Ahzab mentions it as under:
Translation
Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but a messenger of God, and the seal of the prophets. God has knowledge of everything.
So, the unconditional belief in the finality of Prophethood with the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ is one of the basic elements of the Islamic faith. It implies that Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ is the last and final Prophet and that there will be no Prophet after him. However, there are many such instances reported in history where people claimed to be the Prophet, especially during the period immediately after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. All such claimants are termed as “false prophets – نبي كاذب” or simply “liars – كاذب” in the history of Islam.
The issue of False Prophets is also mentioned in various Hadiths, such as Hadith 7121 of Sahih Al-Bukhari:
Translation of the relevant part of Hadith
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The Hour will not be established (1) till two big groups fight each other whereupon there will be a great number of casualties on both sides and they will be following one and the same religious doctrine, (2) till about thirty Dajjals (liars) appear, and each one of them will claim that he is Allah’s Messenger.
After the passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, Islam had to face a number of challenges, including the emergence of false prophets, though they could not gain any positive response from the majority of the Muslims.
Emergence of False Prophets (نبي كاذب)
Although a false prophet did exist during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, the issue became more serious after his passing due to a potential leadership vacuum and a state of uncertainty. Many false prophets emerged during this period, such as Musaylimah, Sajah, Tulayha, and Al-Aswad.
However, this phase of uncertainty did not last too long and ended within a year or so, once the Rashidun Caliphate (ٱلْخِلَافَةُ ٱلرَّاشِدَةُ) was established with Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, taking charge of the affairs, in the capacity of the first Caliph. During a short period, he got hold of the issue of false prophets through military campaigns against them as part of the “Ridda Wars” (حُرُوب ٱلرِّدَّة).
These were the military campaigns launched by the first Caliph against the rebellious tribes and the false prophets immediately after the death of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. The issue of the false prophets was successfully settled by 633 CE, within a year after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
False Prophets in Early Islamic History
During the early days of Islam, especially after the death of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, several false prophets emerged. The most important among them was Musaylimah, who lived during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and had claimed to be a prophet. Some others claimed prophethood after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
· Musaylimah al-Kadhab (the Arch Liar)
Musaylimah Ibn Habib is the most famous among the false prophets. The exact date of his birth is not known. However, he lived during the lifetime of the Prophet Muahmmad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. He belonged to an ancient and prominent Arab tribe, Banu Hanifa. Musaylimah was based in Diriyah, which was a town in the vicinity of Riyadh, the present-day Capital of Saudi Arabia.
He is known as an arch-rival and enemy of Islam. He proclaimed that he was a prophet, which is not true; hence, Islamic history mentions the name “Musaylimah al-Kadhab” (Musaylimah the Arch Liar).
The earliest mention of Musaylimah can be found in 9 AH when different delegations used to visit Medina to meet the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. On one such occasion, Musaylimah is believed to be one of the members of a delegation, which met the Prophet and accepted Islam. Although, Musaylimah was a part of this delegation but he did not meet the Prophet and stayed outside of Medina to take care of the camels.
The other two members of the delegation, known as Nahar Ar-Rajjal and Mujaa Ibn Marara went on to meet the Prophet and accepted Islam. The Prophet, as per tradition gave them gifts. When they told the Prophet that one of their friends had stayed away to take care of camels, the Prophet also gave gifts to him (Musaylima).
Musaylimah was a skilled magician. Using his skill as a magician, he influenced many of his fellow tribesmen, who accepted him as a prophet. To further strengthen his claim of being a prophet, he also used to share self-created verses with the claim that these were revealed to him. This increased his followership a bit.
According to some traditions, he wrote a letter to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, inviting him to share power with him to rule the Arabian tribes. This was the year 10 AH. As per different Islamic historians, such as Al-Tabari, the content of his letter was:
Quote
“From Musaylimah, Messenger of God, to Muhammad, Messenger of God. Salutations to you. I have been given a share with you in this matter. Half the earth belongs to us and half to the Quraish. But the Quraish are people who transgress.”
Unquote
In response to the above, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ wrote him:
Quote
“From Muhammad, the Messenger of God, to Musaylimah, the arch-liar. Peace be upon him who follows (God’s) guidance. Now then, surely the earth belongs to God, who bequeaths it to whom He will amongst his servants. The ultimate issue is to the God-fearing.”
Unquote
From here on, he was named “Musaylima, the arch liar” (Musaylimah al-Kadhab) by Muslims.
After the passing of the Prophet, Sajah bint Al-Harith also claimed to be a prophetess. She tried to attack Medina with her 4000 followers but could not. Then, she joined Musaylimah, married him, and accepted Musaylimah as the prophet.
Immediately after passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, the first Rashidun Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ launched military campaigns, known as “Ridda Wars” against the rebellious tribes, the false prophets and those who denied paying zakat. One such campaign was led by Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ in 632 CE (10 AH). This is commonly known as the Battle of Yamama. The Muslim army won the war, and Musaylimah al-Kadhab was killed. With that, the chapter of false prophethood of Musaylima Al-Kadhab was closed forever.
· Tulayha Al-Asadi
Tulayha was a prominent tribal leader. He belonged to the Banu Asad tribe. Tulayha also claimed to be a prophet during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, around the same time, as was done by Musaylimah Al-Kadhab. Sometimes later, he withdrew his claim and accepted Islam. However, after passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, Tulayha again announced his prophethood.
Eventually, he launched a rebellious attack against the Rashidun Caliphate. This battle is also included in the Ridda Wars, launched by the first Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. Initially, he gave a tough time to the Muslim forces. Eventually, he was defeated by the Muslim army led by Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed.
Consequently, Tulayha surrendered and again embraced Islam. Later on, he also remained a part of the Muslim army, which conquered Persia. He died in 642 CE.
· Sajah bint Al-Harith
Sajah bin al-Harith is the only female false prophet in the early history of Islam. She belonged to the tribe of Banu Tamim. During the time of self-proclaimed prophethood by Musaylimah and Tulayha, she also claimed to be a prophet. She gathered an army of around 4000 soldiers to attack Medina. When she heard the news that the Muslim forces led by Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed had already defeated another false prophet, Tulayha, she abandoned her plan and sought the help of Musaylimah. In this endeavor, she married Musaylimah. Despite her strategic move of allying with Musaylimah al-Kadhab, she could not gain popularity as a (false) prophetess.
After the death of her husband, Musaylimah, in the Ridda War, she accepted Islam. Reportedly, she lived till 661 CE. Some other sources report that she went to Basra after accepting Islam and died there in 675 CE.
· Al-Aswad al-Ansi
Al-Aswad al-Ansi was another false prophet, emerged around the end of the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. He was the leader of the Banu Ans tribe. He mostly lived in Yemen. He used to cover his face with a veil in an attempt to create mystery. Due to this, he is often referred to as the “veiled prophet” or “Dhu al-Khimar.”
Al-Aswad is known for his magical performances, which influenced many people. He claimed to be a prophet and also used to recite some verses, claiming to have been revealed to him. After a successful battle with the ruler of Yemen, he overpowered him and declared himself the ruler of Yemen. However, his rule over Yemen did not last long. He was killed in a battle with a Persian Muslim, Fayruz al-Daylami. According to some historical accounts, this event took place just one day before the passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. However, his army continued to fight with the Muslim forces, even after his death, but eventually were defeated.
Elimination of False Prophets – Role of the Ridda Wars
After the passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, a wave of rebellion erupted among various tribes. Apart from this, the issue of false prophets also sparked. Different tribes refused to pay Zakat to the Caliphate with the plea that they would manage it on their own. All these were seen as a great threat to the unity and authority of the newly established Rashidun Caliphate, with Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ assuming the charge of affairs as the first Caliph. So, the Caliph decided to deal with all these issues with an iron hand.
His close companions suggested that the Caliph take soft action to avoid major conflict or war. In response, the Caliph said, I cannot allow anyone to alter the rules and jurisprudence of Islam; it won’t happen in my life. Eventually, the Caliph launched military campaigns against the rebellious tribes and the false prophet. These military campaigns are referred to as Ridda Wars (حُرُوب ٱلرِّدَّة) in Islamic history.
The most important of the Ridda Wars (wars of apostasy) is the Battle of Yamama. Musaylimah al-Kadhab gathered a large army of around 40,000 men. Musaylimah was killed in this war, which eliminated the issue of false prophethood. Similarly, another Ridda War was launched against the claimant of false prophethood, Tulayha Al Asadi. After a brief war, the Muslim forces defeated him. Tulayha surrendered and accepted Islam.
In this way, the Ridda wars played a vital role in the elimination of the issue of false prophets. This helped a lot in the consolidation and strengthening of the Rashidun Caliphate.
Political and Theological Implications of False Prophethood
The issue of false prophets emerged in the early history of Islam. Instances of false prophets did exist even during the last phase of the life of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. However, it posed a real threat to the political and religious unity of the Islamic state immediately after the passing of the Prophet in 632. These movements were more person-centric than any real religious ambitions by the claimants of false prophethood. They wanted to get a share in the power structure, which was the real threat to the newly established Rashidun Caliphate.
Hence, for the unity of the Muslim State, both politically as well as theologically, the Muslim leadership needed to snub any such movement. On the political front, it would have been fatal for the Muslim community by way of decentralization of the power structure. On the other hand, the concept of the finality of the Prophethood, with Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ being the last and final Prophet (seal of the Prophets), was also in danger. That’s why the first Rashidun Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, settled this emerging issue with complete resilience and commitment. Both these aspects were successfully protected by the newly established Rashidun Caliphate, led by Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ.
