THE SUPERIORITY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD ﷺ
If all the accomplishments of all the Prophets, from Hazrat Adam(alaihis salaam) to Hazrat Isa(alaihis salaam) is assembled in one place, it would still not reach the exalted rank of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The point where the superiority of the entire Prophets end, from here the superiority of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ begins.
The miracles performed by the Prophets are undoubtedly beyond the comprehension of human intelligence. But the miracles performed by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are totally obscure. For example, Hazrat Musa(alaihis salaam) would hit the rocks with his stick and draw water. We all know that water is in the ground and digging can draw it. But the superiority of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is that once he spread out his fingers and water was gushing out from his fingers.
Allah Ta'ala made the iron soft in the hands of Hazrat Daud(alaihis salaam). However, we all know that iron can become soft by heating. During the Battle of Uhud, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ rested his blessed head against a stone and the stone became soft. We all know that stones are such that it cannot be softened by any means.
Prophet ﷺ once gazed at Mount Uhud and remarked: 'I love Uhud, and Uhud loves me'. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ adores the mountain and the mountain fills with warmth of love. In normal circumstances, mountains don't have love.
All the Prophets came and preached their religion to their nations. Allah Ta'ala sent torment to those people who did not follow the straight path. But when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ came, there was no torment.
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'And Allah is not one to punish them, while O Beloved Prophet you are in their midst. And, also Allah will not punish them while they are seeking forgiveness'
(Surah An'faal. verse 33)
Hereof we learn that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is with every believer at all times. It is for this reason we are not being punished for our sins.
Prophets came from the time of Hazrat Adam(alaihis salaam) till Hazrat Isa(alaihis salaam), but infidelity and polytheism was still prevalent. But when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ came, along with the people, the jinnat also recited the kalima and became Muslims. Everybody is born with a demon inside them (ego), but the demon born with
Prophet ﷺ also recited the kalima and became a Muslim.'
Hazrat Abu Hurairah(Radi Allaahu Anhu) narrates that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ suddenly got up from the gathering of the companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum) and went away. The absence was prolonged so Hazrat Abu Hurairah(Radi Allaahu Anhu) went in search of Prophet ﷺ in a flower garden of Madina. Outside the garden, Hazrat Abu Hurairah(Radi Allaahu Anhu) became confident that Prophet ﷺ was in the garden. The pleasant scent of Prophet
Muhammad ﷺ overwhelmed the fragrance of the flowers and reached Hazrat Abu Hurairah(Radi Allaahu Anhu).
Hazrat Ibn Abbas(Radi Allaahu Anhu) narrates that the blessed face of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was always shinning as the moonlight.
During the journey of Me'raj, upon reaching the Sidra, Hazrat Jibreel(alaihis salaam) stepped back and said that he could not go beyond that point. The knowledge of the angels stop at this point. But Prophet Muhammad ﷺ went beyond the Sidrat al-Muntaha to meet Allah Ta'ala.
After the arrival of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the whole system, the arrangement and the administration of the world changed.
For the revelation of the books, Allah Ta'ala summoned the Prophets to certain locations. Hazrat Musa(alaihis salaam) was summoned at Mount Tur for the revelations. But for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the verses were revealed 'wherever Prophet ﷺ was present at the time.
Of all the creations, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was granted the most knowledge. It is narrated in a hadith that Prophet ﷺ has said: 'everything is revealed to me and I have the knowledge of all of them'. (Tirmizi and Bukhari)
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
'And they ask you about the spirits. Say, 'The spirit is a thing in the command of my Lord and you did not receive the knowledge but a little'.'
(Surah Bani Israel. verse 85)
Allah Ta'ala is asking Prophet ﷺ to declare to the infidels that it is them who have been given less knowledge, and not me (Prophet ﷺ ).
'And Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and taught you what you did not know. And great is the grace of Allah upon you'
(Surah An-Nisa. verse 113)
We learn that Allah Ta'ala has blessed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with all types of knowledge, including the knowledge of the unseen. The entire world is but one small portion of the Prophet ﷺ domain.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the 'mercy for all the worlds' (rahmatul lil alameen). By the mercy of Prophet ﷺ, the mu'mins were granted faith (imaan). The mercy of
Prophet ﷺ is in the entire existence.
The level of devotion Prophet Muhammad ﷺ commanded to his ummatis, he performed more than that. There are five obligatory prayers for the ummati, but Prophet ﷺ performed six obligatory prayers. For the ummati, fasting was prescribed from dawn till sunset. But Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself observed the fast of wisal- observe fast continuously without eating or drinking by day and night, may be for a day or two or more.
'Remain arisen (to pray) in the night except some portion thereof'
(Surah Al-Muzammul. verse 2)
Allah Ta'ala is telling Prophet ﷺ to spend most of the time at night in the worship, but do take some time to rest.
Once, the companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum) were having a conversation. One companion(Radi Allaahu Anhu) said that Hazrat Adam(alaihis salaam) is 'the pure of Allah' (Safiullah). Another companion(Radi Allaahu Anhu) said that Hazrat Ibrahim(alaihis salaam) is 'friend of Allah' (Khalilullah). The third companion(Radi Allaahu Anhu) said that Hazrat Isa(alaihis salaam) is 'the spirit of Allah' (Roohullah). Just then, Prophet ﷺ in and heard their conversation and said 'I am the beloved of Allah' (Habibullah). And I am not proud of it.
This is the superiority of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
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This article is an abridged English translation of an Urdu sermon delivered by his eminence, Peer Syed Imroz Dean Saifi, Hanfi, Maturidi of Masjid Anwaar e Madina, Surrey BC Canada
If there is an inaccurate translation, please pardon it and not let it be a means to negatively reflect on the honoured presenter.
