Does Islam Teach That Prophet Jesus Is Superior To Prophet Muhammad? A Rebuttal to Sam Shamoun

 

By

 

Bassam Zawadi

 

 

Sam Shamoun has written a couple of articles (*,*) in which he attempts to show that Islam endorses the superiority of Prophet Jesus over Prophet Muhammad peace be upon them both.

 

 

This article will be divided up into two sections.

 

1)      Addressing Shamoun's Arguments

2)      Evidence that Islam teaches the superiority of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him over all mankind

 

 

 

 

Addressing Shamoun's Arguments

 

 

Sam quotes Surah 3:33 to show that Allah preferred the family of Imran above all His creatures. However, he forgets to point out that the same verse says the same thing about Abraham.

 

 

Lo! Allah preferred Adam and Noah and the Family of Abraham and the Family of Imran above (all His) creatures.

 

The Arabic word translated as family' is Çá (Aal). This word could also be used to mean 'followers of' or 'people of', or 'descendants of'.

 

Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani, says that it can refer to where a person's roots come from. i.e. lineage. (See Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani, Fathul Baari: Kitab Ahaadeeth Al Anbiyaa', Source)

 

For instance, if we look at the different translations for Surah 7:130, we would see that the Arabic word Çá (Aal) has been translated as 'people of'...

 

 

 

 

And if we were to look at the use of the word in Surah 40, Verse 46...

 

The fire - they shall be exposed to it morning and evening; and 'on the day the Hour shall arise,' enter, O people (Aal) of Pharaoh! into the keenest torment.

 

We see that the context supports that the word is referring to the followers of Pharoah (see commentaries of the Qur'an)

 

And if we were to look at the translations of Yusuf Ali or Hilali Khan for Surah 19, verse 6 you will see that they translated the word into posterity because it makes more sense in that context.

 

 

 

Ibn Kathir states in his commentary...

 

The Chosen Ones Among the People of the Earth

Allah states that He has chosen these households over the people of the earth. For instance, Allah chose Adam, created him with His Hand and blew life into him. Allah commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam, taught him the names of everything and allowed him to dwell in Paradise, but then sent him down from it out of His wisdom. Allah chose Nuh and made him the first Messenger to the people of the earth, when the people worshipped idols and associated others with Allah in worship. Allah avenged the way Nuh was treated, for he kept calling his people day and night, in public and in secret, for a very long time. However, his calling them only made them shun him more, and this is when Nuh supplicated against them. So Allah caused them to drown, and none among them was saved, except those who followed the religion that Allah sent to Nuh. Allah also chose the household of Ibrahim, including the master of all mankind, and the Final Prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him. Allah also chose the household of `Imran, the father of Marym bint `Imran, the mother of `Isa, peace be upon them. So `Isa is from the offspring of Ibrahim, as we will mention in the Tafsir of Surat Al-An`am, Allah willing, and our trust is in Him. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Source)

 

Imam Qurtubi has it in his commentary...

 

 

æóÝöí ÇáúÈõÎóÇÑöíø Úóäú ÇöÈúä ÚóÈøóÇÓ ÞóÇáó : Âá ÅöÈúÑóÇåöíã æóÂá ÚöãúÑóÇä ÇáúãõÄúãöäõæäó ãöäú Âá ÅöÈúÑóÇåöíã æóÂá ÚöãúÑóÇä æóÂá íóÇÓöíä æóÂá ãõÍóãøóÏ ; íóÞõæá Çááøóå ÊóÚóÇáóì : " Åöäøó Ãóæúáóì ÇáäøóÇÓ ÈöÅöÈúÑóÇåöíã áöáøóÐöíäó ÇöÊøóÈóÚõæåõ æóåóÐóÇ ÇáäøóÈöíø æóÇóáøóÐöíäó ÂãóäõæÇ æóÇóááøóå æóáöíø ÇáúãõÄúãöäöíäó " [ Âá ÚöãúÑóÇä : 68 ] æóÞöíáó : Âá ÅöÈúÑóÇåöíã ÅöÓúãóÇÚöíá æóÅöÓúÍóÇÞ æóíóÚúÞõæÈ æóÇáúÃóÓúÈóÇØ , æóÅöäøó ãõÍóãøóÏðÇ Õóáøóì Çááøóå Úóáóíúåö æóÓóáøóãó ãöäú Âá ÅöÈúÑóÇåöíã . æóÞöíáó : Âá ÅöÈúÑóÇåöíã äóÝúÓå

 

 

And in Bukhari it is reported that Ibn Abbas said: The family (Aal) of Abraham and family (Aal) of Imran are the believers from the family (Aal) of Abraham and family (Aal) of Imran and family (Aal) of Yaasin and family (Aal) of Muhammad. Allah the Most High says: "Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe (with him); and Allah is the Protecting Guardian of the believers."  (Surah 3:68). And it is said: The family (Aal) is Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Jacob], and that Muhammad peace be upon him is from the family (Aal) of Abraham, and it is said that it is the very family (Aal) of Abraham itself. (Abu 'Abdullah Al-Qurtubi's, Tasfir al Jami' li-ahkam al-Qur'an, Commentary on Surah 3:33, Source)  

 

 

So here we see that since Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him comes from the lineage of Ishmael (thus making him the family of Abaraham), he is included in the category of 'Family of Abaraham".

 

 

 

For sake of argument, lets say that the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him is excluded from the family of Abraham. Why is it that Abraham or Jesus' family is superior to Prophet Muhammad's family?

 

 

Al Suyuti says...

 

 

Lo! God preferred, He has chosen, Adam and Noah and the House of Abraham and the House of 'Imrān, meaning [He preferred] their selves [sc. Abraham and 'Imrān], above the worlds, by making prophethood reside in [them and] their progeny: (Jalal ud-Din Siyuti, Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Commentary on Surah 3:33, Source)

 

 

 

So the reason why the family of Jesus and Abraham (peace be upon them both) is superior to Prophet Muhammad's family is because Prophets come from their progeny.

The only thing that this shows is that the FAMILIES of Jesus and Abraham (peace be upon them both) are superior to the FAMILY of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Not that, they themselves are actually superior to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

 

 

Maybe an analogy will help...

 

The French soccer team is better than the Brazilian soccer team. However, Ronaldo is a better soccer player than any individual player on the French team.

 

 

Thus, Shamoun has failed to show how any Prophet is superior to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by using Surah 3:33.

 

 

 

 

Shamoun mentions the following hadith...

 

 

` Narrated Said bin Al-Musaiyab:
Abu Huraira said, "I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'There is none born among the off-spring of Adam, but Satan touches it. A child therefore, cries loudly at the time of birth because of the touch of Satan, EXCEPT MARY AND HER CHILD." Then Abu Huraira recited: "And I seek refuge with You for her and for her offspring from the outcast Satan" (3.36) (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 641; see also Volume 4, Book 54, Number 506)

 

 

This cited hadith has nothing to do with sinfulness or sinlessness; because Satan only misguides those who can distinguish between what is good and evil. At the time of birth, any person including Maryam and 'Isa is unable to recognize good and evil, so this touch has no effect on his/her sinfulness or sinlessness.

 

 

There is also evidence that God blessed John the Baptist with the same miracle...

 

The Birth of the Boy and His Characteristics

This also implies what is not mentioned, that this promised boy was born and he was Yahya. There is also the implication that Allah taught him the Book, the Tawrah which they used to study among themselves. The Prophets who were sent to the Jews used to rule according to the Tawrah, as did the scholars and rabbis among them. He was still young in age when Allah gave him this knowledge. This is the reason that Allah mentioned it. Because of how Allah favored him and his parents, He says,

[ííóÍúíóì ÎõÐö ÇáúßöÊóÜÈó ÈöÞõæøóÉò]

(O Yahya! Hold fast to the Scripture [the Tawrah].) Means, "Learn the Book with strength.'' In other words, learn it well, with zeal and studious effort.

[æóÂÊóíúäóÇåõ ÇáúÍõßúãó ÕóÈöíøÇð]

(And We gave him wisdom while yet a child.) This means he was given understanding, knowledge, fortitude, diligence and zeal for good and the pursuit of good. He was blessed with these characteristics even though he was young. Allah said,

[æóÍóäóÇäðÇ ãøöä áøóÏõäøóÇ]

(And (made him) Hananan from Us,) [19:13] Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said,

[æóÍóäóÇäðÇ ãøöä áøóÏõäøóÇ]

(And Hananan from Us, ) "This means mercy from Us.'' `Ikrimah, Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak all said the same. Ad-Dahhak added, "Mercy that no one would be able to give except Us.'' Qatadah added, "With it, Allah had mercy upon Zakariyya.'' Mujahid said,

[æóÍóäóÇäðÇ ãøöä áøóÏõäøóÇ]

(And Hananan from Us,) "This was gentleness from His Lord upon him.'' The apparent meaning is that Allah's statement Hananan (affection, compassion) is directly related to His statement,

[æóÂÊóíúäóÇåõ ÇáúÍõßúãó ÕóÈöíøÇð]

(and We gave him wisdom while yet a child.) meaning, "We gave him wisdom, compassion and purity.'' This means that he was a compassionate man, who was righteous. Hanan means the love for affection and tenderness (towards others). Concerning Allah's statement,

[æóÒóßóæÉð]

(and Zakatan,) This is related to His statement,

[æóÍóäóÇäðÇ]

(And Hananan) The word Zakah means purity from filth, wickedness and sins. Qatadah said, "The word Zakah means the righteous deed.'' Ad-Dahhak and Ibn Jurayj both said, "The righteous deed is the pure (Zakah) deed.'' Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said,

[æóÒóßóæÉð]

(and Zakatan,) "This means that he was a blessing.''

[æóßóÇäó ÊóÞöíøðÇ]

(and he was pious.)[19:13] meaning that he was pure and had no inclination to do sins. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Source)

 

Al Suyuti states...

 

 

and compassion, a mercy for mankind, from Us, from Our presence, and purity, a charity for them, and he was God-fearing - it is related that he never committed a sin, nor contemplated [committing] one; (Jalal ud-Din Siyuti, Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Commentary on Surah 19:13, Source)

 

Let us assume for sake of argument that Islam teaches that Jesus is sinless and that everyone else isn't. Does this prove his superiority? Well according to Islamic and Biblical teachings, no!

 

It comes in a qudsi hadith...

 

 

Saheeh Muslim

 

Book 37, Number 6620

 

Abu Sirma reported that when the time of the death of Abu Ayyub Ansari drew near, he said: I used to conceal from you a thing which I heard from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Had you not committed sins, Allah would have brought into existence a creation that would have committed sin (and Allah) would have forgiven them.

 

 

Here I get the impression that a repentant sinner is not inferior to the sinless person. On the contrary, I see it as vice versa.

 

Jesus allegedly teaches in the Gospels...

 

Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

 

 

Here I get the impression that a repentant sinner is not inferior to the sinless person. On the contrary, I see it as vice versa.

 

So if according to both Islamic and Biblical teachings, the repentant sinner is not inferior to the sinless one then why would Shamoun argue that Jesus being sinless is one of the signs of his superiority over Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him?

 

 

 

Shamoun then quotes Surah 3:42, which states that Maryam was preferred above all women. That is true, but how does that make Jesus peace be upon him superior over Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him? This would only show that Jesus' mother was a better woman than Prophet Muhammad's mother (peace be upon them both). So how does this establish Shamoun's case?

 

Shamoun in this article makes a big deal about the fact that the Prophet's parents are in hell. He says...

 

If I were a Muslim, I too would be greatly bothered by this fact.

 

How on earth does this degrade his status? Can't Prophets have relatives who died in disbelief? The Qur'an teaches that Prophets Lot's wife, Noah's son and Abraham's father died as disbelievers. Do we degrade their status in any way because of that? Is a Muslim who has believing parents necessarily better than a Muslim with parents as disbelievers? Of course not. On the contrary, some of the best Muslims that I see today are the converts whose parents happen to be disbelievers. So I don't see the argument.

 

Shamoun also says...

 

 

With the foregoing in perspective, one is left wondering what it is about Mary that makes her the most exalted of all women. Why is she the greatest woman who ever lived and will ever live? Why is she the only woman mentioned by name in the Muslim scripture and the only one with an entire chapter named after her? Why isn't Muhammad's mother given that honor seeing that Muslims claim that their prophet is the greatest creature of Allah?

 

 

Again, what evidence is Sam presenting for this correlation? Why does it necessitate that the greatest man's mother must also be the greatest woman?

 

The Prophet peace be upon him said that the wife of Pharoah, Asiya was one of the four greatest women that ever lived...

 

Saheeh Bukhari

 

Volume 5, Book 57, Number 113:

Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari:

Allah's Apostle said, "Many amongst men attained perfection but amongst women none attained the perfection except Mary, the daughter of Imran and Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh. And the superiority of Aisha to other women is like the superiority of Tharid (i.e. an Arabic dish) to other meals."

 

Using Shamoun's logic we should reject this hadith since Asiya can't be one of the greatest women since her husband, Pharoah was one of the most evil men that ever walked this planet.

 

The logic is absurd. Righteous people can have unrighteous relatives without degrading their status by one bit.

 

Thus, we can conclude that Prophet Jesus' mother is better than Prophet Muhammad's mother, but we can't necessarily conclude that this then makes Prophet Jesus better than Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them both).

 

Shamoun then quotes Surah 3:45-51 and states the following...

 

 

In the same Sura, Jesus is shown to have qualities and titles that no one else has such as being the only person called God's Word and honoured in the next life:

 

 

This is only showing something unique in regards to Jesus' titles. However, this proves nothing. Prophet Abraham peace be upon him was known as Allah's Khalil 'Friend'...

 

 

Malik's Muwatta

 

Book 45, Number 45.1.2:

Yahya related to me from Malik from Suhayl ibn Abi Salih from his father that Abu Hurayra said, "When people saw the first fruits of the season, they brought them to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, took them and said, 'O Allah! Bless us in our fruits. Bless us in our city. Bless us in our sa and bless us in our mudd. O Allah! Ibrahim is Your slave, Your Khalil and Your Prophet. I am Your slave and Your Prophet. He prayed to You for Makka. I pray to You for Madina for the like of what He prayed to You for Makka, and the like of it with it.' Then he called the smallest child he saw and gave him the fruits."

 

 

And Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him had several nicknames, which he mentions for himself...

 

Saheeh Muslim

Book 030, Number 5810:

Jubair b. Mut'im reported on the authority of his father that he heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I am Muhammad and I am Ahmad, and I am al-Mahi (the obliterator) by whom unbelief would be obliterated, and I am Hashir (the gatherer) at whose feet mankind will be gathered, and I am Aqib (the last to come) after whom there will be no Prophet.

 

These are powerful nicknames. We would like Shamoun to show us where Jesus peace be upon him has these names.

 

 

As for Jesus being honored in the Hereafter, this is not unique to him since Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him will also be honored in the Hereafter. As a matter of fact he will be more honored than Jesus peace be upon him or any other Prophet as we will see later on.

 

In conclusion, Shamoun has not given any solid facts to prove his point.

 

Evidence That Islam Teaches The Superiority of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him Over All Mankind

 

Thankfully, no primary research needed to be done on my end in regards to this subject. I will be simply quoting Sheikh Munajjid, mufti of www.islam-qa.com.

 

 

Taken from http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=83417&ln=eng...

 

 

Question:

Is there a verse in the Holy Qur'aan which states that the Messenger is superior to other Prophets?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

 

Firstly: 

 

We would point out to the brother who asked this question and to all our readers that it is not essential for every ruling to be mentioned in the Qur'aan. The evidence for sharee'ah is the Qur'aan and Sunnah, not only the Qur'aan. The rulings of Allaah may be mentioned in the Sunnah and not in the Qur'aan, or they may be mentioned in the Qur'aan and not in the Sunnah, or the ruling may be mentioned in general terms in the Qur'aan and explained in detail in the Sunnah. 

 

There is no single verse in the Book of Allaah which says that we should follow what it says in the Qur'aan and not that which is in the Sunnah. The one who claims to follow the Qur'aan only and not the Sunnah should quote as evidence a verse which will support his method and understanding, but he will not be able to do that. Rather, in the Book of Allaah there is the command to follow that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has brought, and to abstain from what he forbids. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)"

 

[al-Hashr 59:7] 

 

"And obey Allaah and the Messenger (Muhammad), and beware (of even coming near to drinking or gambling or Al‑Ansaab, or Al‑Azlaam) and fear Allaah. Then if you turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger's duty to convey (the Message) in the clearest way"

 

[al-Maa'idah 5:92] 

 

"O you who believe! Obey Allaah and His Messenger, and turn not away from him (i.e. Messenger Muhammad) while you are hearing"

 

[al-Anfaal 8:20] 

 

The Sunnah is the wisdom (al-hikmah) that is mentioned in the Book of Allaah in many verses, such as the following (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"Similarly (to complete My Blessings on you), We have sent among you a Messenger (Muhammad) of your own, reciting to you Our Verses (the Qur'aan) and purifying you, and teaching you the Book (the Qur'aan) and the Hikmah (i.e. Sunnah, Islamic laws and Fiqh (jurisprudence), and teaching you that which you used not to know"

 

[al-Baqarah 2:151] 

 

"And treat not the Verses (Laws) of Allaah as a jest, but remember Allaah's Favours on you (i.e. Islam), and that which He has sent down to you of the Book (i.e. the Qur'aan) and Al-Hikmah (the Prophet's Sunnah  '(legal ways) Islamic jurisprudence) whereby He instructs you. And fear Allaah, and know that Allaah is All-Aware of everything"

 

[al-Baqarah 2:231] 

 

The Qur'aan and Sunnah both come from the same source, both are Revelation (wahy) from Allaah. Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.

 

4. It is only a Revelation revealed.

 

5. He has been taught (this Qur'aan) by one mighty in power [Jibreel (Gabriel)]"

 

[al-Najm 53:3-5] 

 

Secondly: 

 

The Prophets (peace be upon them) vary in status over one another. This is something that has been stated by Allaah in His Book and by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in His Sunnah. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"Those Messengers! We preferred some of them to others; to some of them Allaah spoke (directly); others He raised to degrees (of honour); and to Eesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), We gave clear proofs and evidences, and supported him with Rooh-ul-Qudus [Jibreel (Gabriel)]"

 

[al-Baqarah 2:253] 

 

Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shanqeeti (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: With regard to the words "others He raised to degrees (of honour)", in other places it is indicated that among them is Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), such as the verses in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqaam Mahmoud (a station of praise and glory, i.e., the honour of intercession on the Day of Resurrection"

 

[al-Isra' 17:79] 

 

"And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not"

 

[Saba' 34:28] 

 

"Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allaah"

 

[al-A'raaf 7:158] 

 

"Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Qur'aan) to His slave (Muhammad) that he may be a warner to the Aalameen (mankind and jinn)"

 

[al-Furqaan 25:1] 

 

Elsewhere Allaah indicates that Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) is also one of them, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"And Allaah did take Ibraaheem (Abraham) as a Khaleel (an intimate friend)"

 

[al-Nisa' 4:125] 

 

"Verily, I am going to make you an Imam (a leader) for mankind (to follow you)'"

 

[al-Baqarah 2:124] 

 

Elsewhere Allaah indicates that Dawood is one of them, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

"And indeed, We have preferred some of the Prophets above others, and to Dawood (David) We gave the Zaboor (Psalms)"

 

[al-Isra' 17:55] 

 

Elsewhere Allaah indicates that Idrees is one of them, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

"And We raised him to a high station"

 

[Maryam 19:87] 

 

And here Allaah indicates that Eesa is one of them, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

"And We gave Eesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), clear signs and supported him with Rooh-ul-Qudus [Jibreel (Gabriel)"

 

[al-Baqarah 2:87] 

 

Adwa' al-Bayaan (1/184, 185) 

 

With regard to what is narrated in the Sunnah about it being forbidden to show preference to some of the Prophets over others, or to show preference to our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) - such as the hadeeths in al-Saheehayn, "Do not differentiate between the Prophets" and "Do not favour me over Moosa" - the scholars have resolved this confusion, but the scholars differed concerning that. 

 

Al-Khattaabi said: What this means is that we should not differentiate between them in the sense of belittling some of them, because that may lead to false beliefs concerning them and failing in the duty to give them their due rights. But it does not mean that we believe they are equal in status, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "Those Messengers! We preferred some of them to others." End quote.  

 

In Awn al-Ma'bood it says: This means: Do not prefer some of them over others based on your personal opinions. 

Al-Qurtubi mentioned other opinions which were along the same lines, then he said: 

 

The best of that is the view of those who say that refraining from differentiating between them means with regard to prophethood which is the same for all of them, with no difference. Rather the differentiation has to do with circumstances, characteristics, miracles, and words. As for prophethood itself, there is no differentiation; rather the differentiation has to do with other matters that are separate to that. Hence some of them were Messengers of firm resolve (ulu'l-azm), some were taken as close friends (khaleel), some of them were spoken to directly by Allaah, and some were raised in status. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"And indeed, We have preferred some of the Prophets above others, and to Dawood (David) We gave the Zaboor (Psalms)"

 

[al-Isra' 17:55] 

 

Then he said: This is a good view, as it reconciles between the verses and the ahaadeeth without abrogating anything. 

 

Tafseer al-Qurtubi (3/249) 

 

Thirdly: 

 

There is no difference of opinion among the scholars concerning the fact that our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is superior to all of his fellow-Prophets (peace be upon them). That is clear from the evidence of the Qur'aan and Sunnah, such as the following: 

1 - He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) will attain the station of praise and glory (maqaam Mahmoud) on the Day of Resurrection. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"And in some parts of the night (also) offer the Salaah (prayer) with it (i.e. recite the Qur'aan in the prayer) as an additional prayer (Tahajjud optional prayer ____ Nawaafil) for you (O Muhammad). It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqaam Mahmoud (a station of praise and glory, i.e., the honour of intercession on the Day of Resurrection)"

 

[al-Isra' 17:79] 

 

This refers to his intercession on the Day of Resurrection asking that judgement be passed among all of creation. That will happen after they have been gathered and stood for so long, and there befalls the people that which will befall them. The people will go to the Prophets and each one will excuse himself from interceding for them, until they come to our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He will go to his Lord and fall prostrate before Him, and he will ask to intercede for the people and it will be granted to him. It is called al-maqaam al-mahmoud (a station of praise and glory) because all of creation will praise Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for that status, because his intercession will be a cause of their suffering in the lengthy standing coming to an end. 

 

It was narrated that Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "On the Day of Resurrection the people will come on their knees, each nation following its Prophet, saying, O So and so, intercede!  O So and so, intercede!' until intercession comes to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). On that day Allaah will raise him to the station of praise and glory." Narrated by al-Bukhaari (4441). 

 

2 - He was given conciseness of speech, was supported with fear cast into the hearts of his enemies, war booty was permitted to him, the earth was made a place of prostration and a means of purification for him, the line of Prophets ended with him and he will be granted intercession. 

 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allaah is Ever All‑Aware of everything"

 

[al-Ahzaab 33:40] 

 

"Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Qur'aan) to His slave (Muhammad) that he may be a warner to the Aalameen (mankind and jinn)"

 

[al-Furqaan 25:1] 

 

It was narrated that Jaabir ibn Abd-Allaah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I have been given five things that were not given to any of the Prophets before me: I have been supported with fear (cast into the hearts of my enemies) for a distance of one month's travel; the earth has been made a place of prostration and a means of purification for me, so when the time of prayer comes for any man among my ummah, let him pray; war booty has been permitted for me; a Prophet would be sent only to his own people, but I have been sent to all of mankind; and I have been given the power of intercession." Narrated by al-Bukhaari (427) and Muslim (421). 

 

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I have been favoured over the other Prophets in six ways: I have been given the gift of concise speech; I have been supported with fear; booty has been made permissible for me; the earth has been made a means of purification and a place of prostration for me; I have been sent to all of mankind; and the (line of) Prophets ends with me." Narrated by Muslim (523). 

 

3 - He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) will be the first one among the Messengers who will be permitted to cross the Siraat. 

 

Al-Bukhaari (773) narrated a lengthy hadeeth from Abu Hurayrah, in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I will be the first one among the Messengers who will cross with his ummah." 

 

4 - He will be the first one for whom the grave will be opened, the first to intercede and the first whose intercession will be accepted. 

 

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I will be the leader of the sons of Adam on the Day of Resurrection, the first one for whom the grave is opened, the first one to intercede and the first one whose intercession will be accepted."  Narrated by Muslim (2278). 

 

5 - Allaah, may He be exalted, forgave him (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) all his sins, past and future. 

 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad) a manifest victory.

 

2. That Allaah may forgive you your sins of the past and the future, and complete His Favour on you, and guide you on the Straight Path"

 

[al-Fath 48:1-2] 

 

6 - He was called as a Prophet and Messenger 

 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"O Prophet (Muhammad)! Verily, We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner"

 

[al-Ahzaab 33:45] 

 

"O Messenger (Muhammad)! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message. Allaah will protect you from mankind. Verily, Allaah guides not the people who disbelieve"

 

[al-Maa'idah 5:67] 

 

His fellow Prophets were called by their names only. 

 

7 - Allaah commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to follow the guidance of the Prophets, peace be upon them. 

 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

 

"They are those whom Allaah had guided. So follow their guidance"

 

[al-An'aam 6:90] 

 

Shaykh Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa'di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This means: Walk, O noble Messenger, behind these good Prophets, and follow their way. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) obeyed the command and followed the guidance of the Messengers who came before him, thus acquiring all the qualities of perfection that they had which made him superior to all of creation. Thus he is the leader of the Messengers and the imam of the pious. May the blessing and peace of Allaah be upon them all. 

 

From this evidence the Sahaabah understood that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the best of all the Messengers. Tafseer al-Sa'di (p. 263). 

 

 

 

Taken from http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ref=10669&ln=eng...

 

 

Question:

I believe for sure that Rasulu'Llah Muhammad(swa) Is the best of all the prophets(asw) . But is there any envidence in the Quran or Sunna to support this? There is an aya in quran which says we(i) don't diffetiance(nufariq) amoung them(the prophets). 

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

(1)          Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

"We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers"

[al-Baqarah 2:285]. 

Ibn Katheer said in his Tafseer of this aayah:

The believers believe in all the Prophets and Messengers, and the books revealed from heaven to the slaves of Allaah, the Messengers and Prophets; they do not differentiate between any of them, believing in some and rejecting others. Rather they regard all of them as truthful, righteous, rightly-guided and guiding to the path of goodness, even though some of them abrogated the laws of others, until all of them were abrogated by the sharee'ah of Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, upon whose sharee'ah the Hour will cone.(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/736) 

With regard to the superiority of some of the Prophets over one another, Allaah has told us of this, when He said (interpretation of the meaning):

"Those Messengers! We preferred some of them to others; to some of them Allaah spoke (directly); others He raised to degrees (of honour)"[al-Baqarah 2:253] 

Allaah tells us that some of them are several degrees above others, hence the chosen ones among the Messengers are "those of strong will". Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (remember) when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you (O Muhammad), and from Nooh (Noah), Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosaa (Moses), and Eesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary). We took from them a strong covenant"[al-Ahzaab 33:7] 

And Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the best of them. This is indicated by the fact that he was their mam on th