Do Muslims believe in prophets after Muhammad?
No. Muslims believe Muhammad ﷺ is the last prophet, the "seal of the prophets." No new prophet and no new scripture will come after him. Muslims do believe Jesus will return before the end of time, but as a follower of the final message, not as a new prophet bringing a new religion.
The seal of the prophets
This belief comes straight from the Quran, which calls Muhammad ﷺ the final link in the long chain of prophets:
A seal closes something. In Islam, the message that began with Adam was completed with Muhammad ﷺ, and the Quran was preserved so that no further revelation would be needed.
What the Prophet ﷺ said
The Prophet ﷺ explained it with a simple picture. He compared the prophets to a beautiful house with one brick missing in the corner, and said: "So I am that brick, and I am the last of the Prophets" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3535).
He also said: "There will be no prophet after me, but there will be Caliphs" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3455). In other words, after him there would be leaders and scholars who teach and serve, but none who receive new revelation. See Do I have to believe in all the prophets to become Muslim?
What about Jesus' return?
Many people ask how this fits with the Islamic belief that Jesus will come back. The Prophet ﷺ said the son of Mary "will soon descend amongst you and will judge mankind justly" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3448).
Scholars explain that Jesus was already a prophet before Muhammad ﷺ, so his return doesn't add a new prophet. He will follow and rule by the final message rather than bring a new one.
Groups that claim new prophets
Over the centuries, some people have claimed to be prophets after Muhammad ﷺ. Mainstream Sunni and Shia scholars agree that anyone claiming new prophethood is outside the Islamic consensus. For example, the Ahmadiyya movement's view of its founder is a well-known point of disagreement with other Muslims.
If you're new, this is one of the clearest beliefs you'll meet: it's part of what you affirm when you say Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of God. See How do I take my shahada?
Respect for scholars, saints and good teachers is welcome, but none of them brings revelation. See Do I have to choose Sunni or Shia to become Muslim?
- Muhammad ﷺ is the last prophet (Quran 33:40).
- No new scripture comes after the Quran.
- Jesus' return is not a new prophethood.
- Claims of later prophets are rejected by mainstream Islam.
People also ask
Do Muslims believe in the Holy Spirit?
Yes, but differently: Muslims believe the Holy Spirit (Ruh al-Qudus) is the angel Gabriel, who brought revelation. Honoured, not God.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe in the Trinity?
No, Muslims don't believe in the Trinity. Islam teaches God is One with no son or partner. Here's what the Quran says about Jesus.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims and Christians share the same prophets?
Yes, Muslims and Christians share many prophets, from Adam and Noah to Moses and Jesus. See who they are and where the two faiths differ.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe in the virgin birth?
Yes, Muslims believe in the virgin birth: Mary gave birth to Jesus without a father, by God's command, a sign of His power, not divinity.
Read the full answer →Do Muslims believe Jesus will come back?
Yes, Muslims believe Jesus will come back before the Day of Judgment to rule justly, defeat the Dajjal, then die naturally.
Read the full answer →