Thus Fatara means not to express dos and don’ts. Arabic lexicology also proves this meaning. It is often said: So-and-so has ‘Fatara’ (given up) such-and-such need. Here it denotes giving up ones need not ones complete absence. Some people present two verses of Quran by way of argument. The first is:
That you may warn a people to whom no warner has come before you.18
And the other verse is:
And We have not given them any books which they read, nor did We send to them before you a warner.19
Our opponents use these verses to prove that no prophet, messenger or Divine Proof came between Prophet Isa عليه السلام and the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. Actually they are misinterpreting these verses. They are talking about a warner and warners are only messengers and the word of warner is not used for prophets and successors. As the Almighty Allah says to the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم:
You are only a warner and (there is) a guide for every people.20
Thus warners are only messengers and the prophets and successors are called guides. And the statement of Allah: ‘There is a guide for every people’ itself proves that the earth can never remain devoid of Divine Proof. It is necessary for the Almighty Allah to appoint prophets and Divine Proofs for the people of all time and of every community.
Thus for Allah, the Mighty and Sublime it was necessary that till the divine laws are binding on the people there should be uninterrupted guidance through prophets and successors as they will fulfill the duty of warning the people. Although it is possible that the series of warners may stop as was the case after Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and no warner came after him.
Commentary #4