Evidence of the Prophet ﷺ Leading the Prophets in Prayer on the Night of MiʿrājSource: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 145
❖ Question:
Is it authentically established that the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ led the Prophets (عليهم السلام) in prayer during the night of Miʿrāj?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd...
Yes, it is indeed established through authentic ḥadīth that the Prophet ﷺ led the Prophets (عليهم السلام) in prayer during the night of Miʿrāj (Ascension).
Ḥadīth Evidence
It is narrated from Abū Hurayrah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“I found myself in Ḥaṭīm, and the Quraysh were asking me about my journey of Miʿrāj. They questioned me regarding some details of Bayt al-Maqdis which I couldn’t recall, and I experienced great distress — such distress I had never felt before. Then Allah presented Bayt al-Maqdis before me, and I answered all their questions accurately.”
Then the Prophet ﷺ continued:
“I saw myself among a gathering of Prophets. I saw Mūsā (AS) standing and performing prayer — he was of medium stature, resembling a man from the tribe of Shanūʾah. I also saw ʿĪsā (AS), who was also standing and praying, and the person who most resembled him was ʿUrwah ibn Masʿūd ath-Thaqafī. I then saw Ibrāhīm (AS) standing and praying, and I found myself to be the one who resembled him the most.
Then the time for prayer arrived, and I led them in prayer.”
(Musnad Abī ʿAwānah, 1/131 — with a ṣaḥīḥ chain)
❖ Ḥadīth Authentication and Implication
✔ This ḥadīth is authentically narrated (ṣaḥīḥ) and free from any significant weakness or objection.
✔ It explicitly states that the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ led all the Prophets in prayer during the night of Miʿrāj.
❖ Significance of the Event
This incident signifies:
◈ The unique status of the Prophet ﷺ as “Imām al-Anbiyāʾ” (Leader of the Prophets).
◈ Though he was the last to be sent, he was given precedence in leadership over all previous Prophets.
◈ It also reflects the unity of the divine message and the supremacy of the final Prophethood.
❖ Conclusion
The incident of the Prophet ﷺ leading the Prophets in prayer on the night of Miʿrāj is clearly and authentically established through sound ḥadīth, and it emphasizes the exalted position of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ among all the Messengers (عليهم السلام).
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
And Allah knows best.
