◈ Prophets Praying to Be Included in the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ ◈
Derived from: Fatawa ad-Deen al-Khalis, Vol 1, p. 136
Is it established that the Prophets (عليهم السلام) prayed to be included in the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, due to its superiority over all other nations?
(Your brother: Shaukat)
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allāh. To proceed:
Imam Ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله mentioned in his book al-Wafāʼ (1/39-40) a narration from Kaʿb al-Aḥbār:
Kaʿb al-Aḥbār once saw a Jewish scholar weeping. When he asked him the reason, the scholar replied:
"I remembered something, and that made me weep."
Kaʿb al-Aḥbār said:
"By Allāh! If I tell you what it is that made you cry, will you affirm it?"
The scholar responded: "Yes!"
Kaʿb said:
"Do you not find in the Book of Allāh (the Torah) that Mūsa (عليه السلام) saw a nation mentioned and said:"
“I have found mention of a nation that has been brought forth for the benefit of mankind. They enjoin good and forbid evil. They believe in all the earlier and later Scriptures. They strive against the misguided, even against the Dajjāl. O Allāh! Make them my nation.”
Allāh responded:
"O Mūsa! This is the nation of Aḥmad ﷺ."
The Jewish scholar confirmed:
"Yes, that is true!"
In another narration, Mūsa (عليه السلام) looked again and said:
“O Lord! I find mention of a nation that abundantly praises (You), is diligent in prayer like guarding the sun, says ‘In shāʾ Allāh’ when intending something, and remains firm on their resolve. O Allāh! Make them my nation.”
Allāh replied:
"O Mūsa! They are the nation of Aḥmad ﷺ."
The Jewish scholar again affirmed:
"Yes, that is correct!"
Mūsa (عليه السلام) also found in the Torah:
"When they ascend heights, they proclaim ‘Allāhu Akbar’. When they descend into valleys, they praise Allāh. The earth has been made a mosque for them. Dust serves as purification (Tayammum) when water is not found. On the Day of Judgement, their faces and hands will shine due to the effects of Wudū."
Mūsa (عليه السلام) supplicated:
“O Allāh! Make them my nation.”
Allāh answered:
"O Mūsa! They are the nation of Aḥmad ﷺ."
The Jewish scholar said:
"Yes, this is absolutely true!"
Upon learning of the virtues of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, Mūsa (عليه السلام) yearned and said:
"Would that I were among the companions of Muhammad ﷺ!"
Allāh comforted him with revelation:
"يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي اصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِرِسَالَاتِي وَبِكَلَامِي"
(O Mūsa! I have chosen you over the people with My Messages and with My Speech.)
[Al-Aʿrāf: 144]
A similar narration has also been reported by Ibn al-Jawzi in al-Wafāʼ (1/38) as a marfūʿ ḥadīth, though its chain of transmission is weak.
Imām al-Baghawī رحمه الله recorded this incident in Maʿālim at-Tanzīl (2/205).
Imām Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله also narrated it in his Tafsīr under Sūrat al-Aʿrāf (7:157).
These narrations highlight the virtues of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, even though some contain weak chains. However, given their emphasis on the honor of the Prophets and the excellence of this Ummah, mentioning them is permissible.
✔ Prophet Mūsa (عليه السلام) supplicated to be included in the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, after recognizing its excellence. Allāh consoled him by reaffirming his own chosen status among the Messengers.
✔ This incident has been narrated by notable scholars like Ibn al-Jawzi, Imām al-Baghawī, and Ibn Kathīr, even though some narrations contain weak chains.
✔ These accounts clearly illustrate the immense virtue and superiority of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, something also established through the Qurʾān and authentic Hadith.
والله أعلم بالصواب
Derived from: Fatawa ad-Deen al-Khalis, Vol 1, p. 136
❖ Question
Is it established that the Prophets (عليهم السلام) prayed to be included in the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, due to its superiority over all other nations?
(Your brother: Shaukat)
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allāh. To proceed:
① The Supplication of Prophet Mūsa (عليه السلام)
Imam Ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله mentioned in his book al-Wafāʼ (1/39-40) a narration from Kaʿb al-Aḥbār:
Kaʿb al-Aḥbār once saw a Jewish scholar weeping. When he asked him the reason, the scholar replied:
"I remembered something, and that made me weep."
Kaʿb al-Aḥbār said:
"By Allāh! If I tell you what it is that made you cry, will you affirm it?"
The scholar responded: "Yes!"
Kaʿb said:
"Do you not find in the Book of Allāh (the Torah) that Mūsa (عليه السلام) saw a nation mentioned and said:"
“I have found mention of a nation that has been brought forth for the benefit of mankind. They enjoin good and forbid evil. They believe in all the earlier and later Scriptures. They strive against the misguided, even against the Dajjāl. O Allāh! Make them my nation.”
Allāh responded:
"O Mūsa! This is the nation of Aḥmad ﷺ."
The Jewish scholar confirmed:
"Yes, that is true!"
② Another Supplication of Prophet Mūsa (عليه السلام)
In another narration, Mūsa (عليه السلام) looked again and said:
“O Lord! I find mention of a nation that abundantly praises (You), is diligent in prayer like guarding the sun, says ‘In shāʾ Allāh’ when intending something, and remains firm on their resolve. O Allāh! Make them my nation.”
Allāh replied:
"O Mūsa! They are the nation of Aḥmad ﷺ."
The Jewish scholar again affirmed:
"Yes, that is correct!"
③ Special Characteristics of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ
Mūsa (عليه السلام) also found in the Torah:
"When they ascend heights, they proclaim ‘Allāhu Akbar’. When they descend into valleys, they praise Allāh. The earth has been made a mosque for them. Dust serves as purification (Tayammum) when water is not found. On the Day of Judgement, their faces and hands will shine due to the effects of Wudū."
Mūsa (عليه السلام) supplicated:
“O Allāh! Make them my nation.”
Allāh answered:
"O Mūsa! They are the nation of Aḥmad ﷺ."
The Jewish scholar said:
"Yes, this is absolutely true!"
④ The Desire of Prophet Mūsa (عليه السلام) to Be Among the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ
Upon learning of the virtues of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, Mūsa (عليه السلام) yearned and said:
"Would that I were among the companions of Muhammad ﷺ!"
Allāh comforted him with revelation:
"يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي اصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِرِسَالَاتِي وَبِكَلَامِي"(O Mūsa! I have chosen you over the people with My Messages and with My Speech.)
[Al-Aʿrāf: 144]
A similar narration has also been reported by Ibn al-Jawzi in al-Wafāʼ (1/38) as a marfūʿ ḥadīth, though its chain of transmission is weak.
⑤ Views of Other Mufassirīn
Imām al-Baghawī رحمه الله recorded this incident in Maʿālim at-Tanzīl (2/205). Imām Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله also narrated it in his Tafsīr under Sūrat al-Aʿrāf (7:157).These narrations highlight the virtues of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, even though some contain weak chains. However, given their emphasis on the honor of the Prophets and the excellence of this Ummah, mentioning them is permissible.
❖ Conclusion
✔ Prophet Mūsa (عليه السلام) supplicated to be included in the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, after recognizing its excellence. Allāh consoled him by reaffirming his own chosen status among the Messengers.
✔ This incident has been narrated by notable scholars like Ibn al-Jawzi, Imām al-Baghawī, and Ibn Kathīr, even though some narrations contain weak chains.
✔ These accounts clearly illustrate the immense virtue and superiority of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, something also established through the Qurʾān and authentic Hadith.
والله أعلم بالصواب
