Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Very often we come across comments / explanations that Prophet Muhammad (PBHU)  is the Imaam of the Prophets (AS)  or He (PBHU) is superior to other Prophets(AS). I remember a an Ayat which means that we dont differentiate between the Prophets, in this Ayat Allah (SWT) even names some Prophets (AS). How can we reconcile these two things which are at variation. I was explaining Ayaat 117 of Al Maida in a discussion which indicates that Jesus (AS) had no knowledge of what happened on earth once he was lifted up by Allah (SWT). When I said Prophet Muhammad's (PBHU)  case is the same (ie after leaving earth he may be aware of what is happening on earth), one gentleman said that logic coud not be applied since Prophet (SWT) was superior to Jesus (AS), ( this gentleman was arguing that Prophet (PBHU) was alive in his grave and from time to time whenever someone sends Durood, Angels convey it to him PBHU).

Could you also clarify what are the Priviliges Prophet Muhammad (PBHU) enjoys over other Prpohets (AS). And priviliges Prophet Muhammad (PBHU) enjoys over the ordinary Muslims of his Ummah, example He (PBHU) was given the permission to have more than four wives against only four for ordinary Muslims. Which Quranic injunctions should be considered to be applicable to the Prophet (PBHU) exclusively and which ones applicable only to Ummah, How can we differentiate between these?

Looking forward to your response.

Khuda Hafiz

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Is Prophet Mohamed superior to other prophets?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Q-1: Very often we come across comments / explanations that Prophet Muhammad (PBHU)  is the Imaam of the Prophets (AS)  or He (PBHU) is superior to other Prophets(AS). I remember a an Ayat which means that we dont differentiate between the Prophets, in this Ayat Allah (SWT) even names some Prophets (AS). How can we reconcile these two things which are at variation.

Beloved brother in Islam, the truth is there is absolutely no variation or contradiction in the two thoughts, as both thoughts are from the Glorious Quran!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 285: The Messengers believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His Messengers." And they say: "We hear and we obey; (We seek) Thy forgiveness Our Lord and to Thee is the end of all journeys."

What the above Aayah basically means is that the Messengers and the true believers make no distinction between the Prophets of Allah, and say they believe in some and disbelieve the others; it is a condition of faith for believers that they must believe in each and every one of Allah’s Messengers without exception! A muslim who claims to deny even one of the Messengers of Allah, will leave the fold of Islam and will become a disbeliever.

The Jews disbelieved in Prophet Isa (a.s.) and were declared disbelievers by Allah Subhanah; and the Christians disbelieved in Prophet Mohamed (saws) and suffered the same fate! But as a muslim, it is a condition of our faith that we believe in each and every one of Allah’s Messengers (peace be upon them all) without exception.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 253: Those Messengers We endowed with ‘fadhal’ (privileges, gifts, bounties, etc.), some above others: to one of them Allah spoke; others He raised to degrees (of honor); to Jesus the son of Mary We gave clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit.

In the above Aayah of Surah Baqarah Allah Subhanah Himself declares that he has given more privileges to some Prophets above others, and raised some Prophets above others. And there is absolutely no doubt that the Last Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws) is the leader and Imaam of all the previous Prophets, which is declared by the Messenger of Allah (saws) in several authentic narrations. Besides, it is also reported in authentic narrations that the Messenger of Allah (saws) was given the privilege to lead all the other Prophets of Allah Subhanah as their Imaam in prayer at the Mosque in Jerusalem during his Night Journey (Israa).

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 5764 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

The Prophet (saws) said, "I am the leader (Qa'id) of the Messengers, and this is no boast; I am the Seal of the Prophets, and this is no boast; and I shall be the first to make intercession and the first whose intercession is accepted, and this is no boast."

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (r.a.) said, "When you invoke blessings upon the Prophet do it in the best manner, because you don't know whether or not your blessings may be presented to him.” The Companions asked him to teach them how to do it. He replied, 'Say, "Allahumma 'ij'al salawataka wa rahmataka wa barakataka 'ala sayyidil mursalin, wa imamal mutaqadimin wa khatimin nabiyyin muhammadin 'abduka wa rasuluka imamal khair wa qaidil khair wa rasulir rahmati. Allahumma b'athu maqaman yaghbatuhu bihil awalun. Allahumma salli 'ala muhammadin wa 'ala ali muhammadin kama sallaita 'ala ibrahima wa ali ibrahima innaka hamidum majeed . Allahumma barik 'ala muhammadin wa 'ala ali muhammadin kama barakta 'ala ibrahima wa 'ala ali ibrahima innak hamidum majeed.

(O Allah, shower Your blessings, mercy, and favors on the Chief of the Messengers, and the Chief of the Foremost, the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad, Your servant and Your Messenger, the leader of the virtuous, the chief of the virtuous, the Messenger of Mercy, grant him a station that is the happy goal of the most excellent. O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. You are indeed Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, give baraka to Muhammad and his family as you gave baraka to Ibrahim and his family, You are indeed Praiseworthy and Glorious"'." (Related by Ibn Majah)

Unfortunately today, some ignorant muslims try to raise the honor of Prophet Mohamed (saws) by belittling the other Prophets of Allah (a.s.) or comparing the other Prophets as if in a competition; and that is incorrect. Each Prophet of Allah (a.s.) has been given his station and ‘maqaam’ by Allah Subhanah; and according to His Will and Wisdom, He has raised in Honor whom He Wills.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) himself disliked it when someone compared or tried to raise Mohamed (saws) above the other Prophets.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.626 Narrated by Abu Huraira

Once while a Jew was selling something, he was offered a price that he was not pleased with. So, he said, "No, by Him Who gave Moses superiority over all human beings!" Hearing him, an Ansari man got up and slapped him on the face and said, "You say: By Him Who Gave Moses superiority over all human beings although the Prophet (Muhammad) is present amongst us!" The Jew went to the Prophet (saws) and said, "O Abu-l-Qasim! I am under the assurance and contract of security, so what right does so-and-so have to slap me?" The Prophet (saws) asked the other, "Why have you slapped him?". He told him the whole story. The Prophet (saws) became angry, till anger appeared on his face, and said, "Don't give superiority to any Prophet amongst Allah's Prophets, for when the trumpet will be blown, everyone on the earth and in the heavens will become unconscious except those whom Allah will exempt. The trumpet will be blown for the second time and I will be the first to be resurrected to see Moses holding Allah's Throne. I will not know whether the unconsciousness which Moses received on the Day of Tur has been sufficient for him, or has he got up before me. And I do not say that there is anybody who is better than (Prophet)Yunus bin Matta."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.627 Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Prophet (saws) said, "None should say that I am better than (Prophet) Yunus bin Matta."

The Messenger of Allah (saws) specifically mentioned the excellence of Prophet Yunus (a.s.), because it might seem that Prophet Yunus (a.s.) apparently lapsed in his duty and as a result was put in a severe trial by Allah Subhanah, and was apparently ‘punished’ for his lapse in duty! But Prophet Mohamed (saws) was so humble in his greatness, that he (saws) did not even approve of anyone saying that he (saws) was better than Prophet Yunus (a.s.), the noble Prophet of Allah Subhanah.

Q-2: Could you also clarify what are the Priviliges Prophet Muhammad (PBHU) enjoys over other Prpohets (AS).

There are several privileges which Allah Subhanah blessed the Prophet Mohamed (saws) with above all the other Prophets of Allah.

1. All the other Prophets of Allah came to deliver Allah’s Message to ‘a’ people; the Message given to Prophet Mohamed (saws) was for all of mankind.
2. The Message of every Prophet of Allah had a limited period, until the advent of the next Prophet; but the Message of Prophet Mohamed (saws) is to last until the end of time!
3. The Message of all the other Prophets were distorted and altered with the advent of time; but the Message given to Prophet Mohamed (saws) holds the guarantee that it will be guarded by Allah Subhanah Himself until the end of time!

Q-3: And priviliges Prophet Muhammad (PBHU) enjoys over the ordinary Muslims of his Ummah, example He (PBHU) was given the permission to have more than four wives against only four for ordinary Muslims. Which Quranic injunctions should be considered to be applicable to the Prophet (PBHU) exclusively and which ones applicable only to Ummah, How can we differentiate between these?

Wherever Allah Subhanah has revealed specific commandments for the Messenger of Allah (saws) alone, Allah Subhanah has either mentioned it clearly that this injunction is for the Prophet (saws) alone and not all the believers, and at other times it is extremely evident from the tone of the commandment and in the context of the Quran.

Example-1: The specific permission for the Messenger of Allah (saws) making all his wives lawful.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 50:O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allah has assigned to thee; and daughters of thy paternal uncles and aunts, and daughters of thy maternal uncles and aunts, who migrated (from Mecca) with thee; and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her; this only for thee and not for the Believers (at large); We know what We have appointed for them as to their wives and the captives whom their right hands possess in order that there should be no difficulty for Thee. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

Example-2: The specific command to the Messenger of Allah (saws) that he should not pray the funeral prayers over the deceased hypocrite, nor stand at their graves. This command was specific for the Prophet (saws) and not for the believers at large.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 84: Nor do thou (O

Mohamed) ever pray for any of them that dies, nor stand at his grave: for they rejected Allah and His Messenger, and died in a state of perverse rebellion.

Example-3: The specific command making the Tahajjud or night prayers obligatory for the Messenger of Allah (saws); whereas it is voluntary for the believers at large.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 73 Surah Muzammil verses 1-4:

1 O thou folded in garments! (Mohamed (saws))

2 Stand (to pray) by night but not all night

3 Half of it or a little less

4 Or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow measured rhythmic tones.

Example-4: The specific permission that Prophet Mohamed (saws) does not have to do justice between his several wives. This was a leniency given only to the Messenger of Allah (saws); the other believers who have more than one wife must do justice between them in giving his time, wealth, property, gifts, etc. equally amongst them.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 51: Thou (O Mohamed) mayest defer (the turn of) any of them (his wives) that thou pleasest, and thou mayest receive any thou pleasest: and there is no blame on thee (O Prophet) if thou invite one whose (turn) thou hadst set aside.

Example-5: The specific command of Allah Subhanah that the wives of the Prophet (saws) cannot marry after his (saw’s) death; whereas it is absolutely legal for the widow of any believer to marry another man after her husband’s death.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 53 (part): Nor is it right for you (O believers) that ye should annoy Allah’s Messenger, or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah's sight, an enormity.

Example –6: The specific command that all the wives of the Prophet (saws) are the mothers of the believers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 6 (Part):The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers.

Then there are several injunctions in the authentic narrations of the Messenger of Allah (saws) which were specifically for him and not for the other believers. The Messenger of Allah (saws) forbade the taking of zakah and sadaqah on himself and his family of Banu Hashim. The Messenger of Allah (saws) also commanded that his wealth and property cannot be distributed amongst his heirs after his death, but must be deposited in the Bait-ul-Maal (Central Treasury) to be distributed amongst the needy and poor.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan