(Arabic, derived from the root n-b-示 meaning 鈥榯o utter鈥 or 鈥榯o inform鈥), also in the fifth form as tanabba示a, to claim for oneself the gift of prophecy or office of a prophet’. Hence, nubuwwa means prophethood. It is a definitive aspect of Muslim religious belief, being the primary means by which God communicates to humankind. Nubuwwa is a rich and central topic in the Qur’an which refers to a continuous chain of revelation-bearers who were related genealogically. According to the Quran, this chain starts with Adam, and ends with the khatam al-anbiy膩示 (the seal of Prophets), that is, the Prophet Muhammad. Theologians developed a theory of the distinctive signs of prophethood (dal膩示il, 士al膩m膩t, or im膩rat al-nubuwwa). These included receiving the revelation (wa岣), that the Prophet is of a noble descent, having a mark between his shoulders, having miraculous powers, and being supported with marvels which prove his status. By the 13th century, theologians went on to develop the doctrine of 士i峁a (infallibility/impeccability) as a fundamental sign of nubuwwa and this was applied broadly to the Prophet Muhammad.
