Source: Sermons of Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, compiled by: Tauheed.com
Brothers in Islam! The Chief of the Prophets, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is from the lineage of Prophet Ismail, son of Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon them. He, peace be upon him, is the servant of Allah and His final Messenger. He, peace be upon him, was sent to all mankind until the Day of Judgment, and with his mission, the chain of prophethood came to an end. He, peace be upon him, holds superiority and excellence over all the Prophets, peace be upon them. Similarly, the status of his Ummah is higher than all other nations. Allah Almighty has made obedience to him obligatory, and he possesses qualities that no other Prophet has. Therefore, let us mention the virtues, miracles, and some special characteristics of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
The Status of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and His Virtues
① Noble Lineage
The Holy Prophet ﷺ holds the highest and most exalted status in terms of lineage
Reference: (family)
.As Hazrat Wasila bin Al-Asqa’ رضي الله عنه states that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ اللّٰہَ اصْطَفٰی کِنَانَةَ مِنْ وَّلَدِ إِسْمَاعِیْلَ،وَاصْطَفٰی قُرَیْشًا مِّنْ کِنَانَةَ، وَاصْطَفٰی مِنْ قُرَیْشٍ بَنِیْ ہَاشِمٍ،وَاصْطَفَانِیْ مِنْ بَنِیْ ہَاشِمٍ))
“Indeed, Allah chose Kinana from the descendants of Prophet Ismail عليه السلام, then from Kinana He chose Quraysh, then from Quraysh He chose Banu Hashim, and from Banu Hashim He selected me.”
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 2276
Similarly, when the Roman Emperor
Reference: (Heraclius)
inquired from Hazrat Abu Sufyan رضي الله عنه
Reference: (who had not yet embraced Islam)
about the lineage of the Prophet ﷺ, he replied:(ھُوَ فِیْنَا ذُوْ نَسَبٍ)
“He is the highest in lineage among us.” Then Heraclius said:
(کَذٰلِكَ الرُّسُلُ تُبْعَثُ فِیْ نَسَبِ قَوْمِہَا)
“Indeed, such great Prophets عليه السلام are of noble lineage among their people.”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 2941
These texts prove that the Holy Prophet ﷺ had the highest lineage among all people.
② A Great Favor Upon Humanity
Indeed, the favors of Allah Almighty upon humanity are countless, but the greatest favor, which Allah Almighty has specifically mentioned in the Holy Quran, is the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Divine command is:
﴿لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿١٦٤﴾
"Indeed, Allah conferred a great favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom. And indeed, before that, they were in clear error."
Reference: Surah Al-Imran:164
At the time of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, humanity was misguided and wandering in the darkest valleys of ignorance, as Allah Almighty has stated in this verse that indeed they were all in clear error before that. Then Allah Almighty sent Prophet Muhammad ﷺ among them and brought them out of darkness and guided them towards the straight path through him. Thus, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was a mercy for humanity. The Divine command is:
﴿وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ ﴿١٠٧﴾
"And We have certainly sent you as a mercy to the worlds."
Reference: Surah Al-Anbiya:107
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
(( یَا أَیُّہَا النَّاسُ ! إِنَّمَا أَنَا رَحْمَةٌ مُہْدَاۃٌ))
"O people! Indeed, I am a mercy that has been sent as a gift to the people."
Reference: Silsilat al-Sahihah:3636
③ Bright Lamp
Allah, the Lord of Glory, has described the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as a "bright lamp." Just as darkness is dispelled by a lamp, similarly, through the Prophet ﷺ, the darkness of disbelief and polytheism was removed.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا ﴿٤٥﴾ وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا ﴿٤٦﴾
"O Prophet! We have sent you as a witness, a bringer of good tidings, a warner, one who invites to Allah by His permission, and as a bright lamp."
Reference: Surah Al-Ahzab: 45-46
④ Compassionate and Kind
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ is compassionate and kind to the Ummah. Allah Almighty, while mentioning some of the exalted attributes of the Prophet ﷺ, says:
﴿لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٢٨﴾
"There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful."
Reference: Surah At-Tawbah: 128
In this verse, Allah Almighty has mentioned four great attributes of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
◄ First, that you, peace be upon him, are from the human race. In the second verse, it is said:
﴿قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ﴾
"Say, I am only a man like you."
Reference: (Yes)
Revelation is sent to me that your God is one God.
Reference: Surah Al-Kahf:110
And He said:
﴿ قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّي هَلْ كُنتُ إِلَّا بَشَرًا رَّسُولًا﴾
"Say, my Lord is pure, and I am only a man who has been made a messenger."
Reference: Surah Al-Isra:93
◄ Secondly, every kind of hardship and difficulty is burdensome for this Prophet, peace be upon him. That is why he, peace be upon him, preferred ease in religion and would abandon any task that he felt was burdensome for the Ummah. There are many examples of this, one of which is that at the time of Mi'raj, when Allah Almighty prescribed fifty prayers, he repeatedly asked Allah for a reduction until it was reduced to five. Secondly, the Prophet, peace be upon him, led the Tarawih prayer in congregation for three nights, then on the fourth night he abandoned it and said: I fear that it may be made obligatory upon you. And thirdly, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "If I did not fear hardship for the Ummah, I would have ordered them to use the miswak at every prayer time."
These three examples
Reference: (and many other examples besides)
are evidence that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not want hardship for the Ummah.Also, the Prophet ﷺ said:
(( أَحَبُّ الْأَدْیَانِ إِلیَ اللّٰہِ تَعَالیٰ اَلْحَنِیْفِیَّةُ السَّمْحَةُ))
"Allah’s most beloved religion is the religion of Hanifiyyah, which is easy."
Reference: As-Silsilah As-Saheehah: 928
Similarly, the Prophet ﷺ said:
(( إِنَّ الدِّیْنَ یُسْرٌ،وَلَنْ یُّشَادَّ الدِّیْنَ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا غَلَبَہُ،فَسَدِّدُوْا وَقَارِبُوْا وَأَبْشِرُوْا،وَاسْتَعِیْنُوْا بِالْغُدْوَۃِ وَالرَّوْحَةِ وَشَیْئٍ مِّنَ الدُّلْجَةِ ))
"Indeed, the religion is easy, and whoever makes it difficult upon himself and tries to worship beyond his capacity, the religion will overpower him. Therefore, adopt moderation, and if you cannot complete an act of worship, then do it approximately, be pleased with the reward of worship, and seek help from Allah by worshipping in the morning, evening, and the last part of the night."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 39
And when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Hazrat Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) towards Yemen for the invitation to Islam, he instructed them:
(( یَسِّرَا وَلَا تُعَسِّرَا ، وَبَشِّرَا وَلَا تُنَفِّرَا،وَتَطَاوَعَا وَلَا تَخْتَلِفَا))
"Make things easy for the people and do not make things difficult for them, and give them good tidings and do not make them dislike the religion. And work together in harmony and do not differ among yourselves."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 3038
◄ And the third attribute is that the Messenger of Allah desires your guidance and worldly and hereafter benefits, and does not wish for you to enter Hell. That is why the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
(( إِنَّمَا مَثَلِیْ وَمَثَلُ النَّاسِ کَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اِسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا،فَلَمَّا أَضَائةُ مَا حَوْلَہُ جَعَلَ الْفِرَاشُ وَہٰذِہِ الدَّوَابُّ الَّتِیْ تَقَعُ فِی النَّارِ یَقَعْنَ فِیْہَا ، فَجَعَلَ الرَّجُلُ یَزَعُہُنَّ وَیَغْلِبْنَہُ، فَیَقْتَحِمْنَ فِیْہَا،فَأَنَا آخِذٌ بِحُجَزِکُمْ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأَنْتُمْ تَقْتَحِمُوْنَ فِیْہَا))
"Indeed, the example of me and the people is like a man who lights a fire, and when the fire illuminates the surroundings, moths and other creatures that jump into the fire begin to fall into it. The man who lit the fire pushes them away from the fire, but they overpower him and jump into the fire. And I also hold you by your waist and pull you so that you do not go into the fire of Hell, but
Reference: (you forcibly enter the fire of Hell after breaking away from me)
."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 6483
◄ And the fourth attribute is that the Prophet, peace be upon him, is extremely compassionate and very kind. Many examples can be presented in this regard. Here, we will suffice with only three hadiths:
① It is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
(( إِنِّیْ لَأقُوْمُ فِیْ الصَّلاَۃِ وَأَنَا أُرِیْدُ أُطِیْلُہَا،فَأَسْمَعُ بُکَاءَ الصَّبِیِّ فَأَتَجَوَّزُ فِیْ صَلاَتِیْ مِمَّا أَعْلَمُ مِنْ وَّجْدِ أُمِّهِ عَلَیْہِ مِنْ بُکَا ئِهِ))
"I stand for prayer intending to make it long, but when I hear the cry of a child, I shorten the prayer, because I know that the mother feels compassion for him due to his crying."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:709
② Hazrat Aisha (RA) reported that some villagers came to the presence of the Prophet (PBUH) and said: Do you kiss your children? The Prophet (PBUH) and the companions (RA) said: Yes. They said: By Allah! We do not kiss our children. Then the Prophet (PBUH) said:
(( وَ أَمْلِكُ إِنْ کَانَ اللّٰہُ نَزَعَ مِنْکُمُ الرَّحْمَةَ))
"If Allah has taken mercy from your hearts, then what can I do?"
Reference: Sahih Muslim:2317
③ Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) recited the command of Allah Almighty regarding Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him):
﴿رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ ۖ فَمَن تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي ۖ وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣٦﴾
"O my Lord! Indeed, they have led many people astray, so whoever follows me is of me, and whoever disobeys me - indeed, You are Forgiving and Merciful."
Reference: Surah Ibrahim:36
And regarding Hazrat Isa (peace be upon him), he also recited this verse:
﴿إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١١٨﴾
"If You should punish them - indeed, they are Your servants; but if You forgive them - indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
Reference: Surah Al-Ma'idah:118
Then the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) raised his hands and said:
(( اَللّٰہُمَّ أُمَّتِیْ أُمَّتِیْ))
"O Allah, my Ummah, my Ummah!"
Reference: As-Silsilah As-Sahihah:2844
After that, he (peace be upon him) began to weep.
Thus Allah Almighty said:
"O Jibreel! Go to Muhammad
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. And your Lord, although He knows well, ask them why they are crying?" So Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) came and asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) why he was crying. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told him what he had said. And when Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) informed Allah Almighty
Reference: (although He already knew)
, Allah Almighty sent Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) again and said:(إِنَّا سَنُرْضِیْكَ فِیْ أُمَّتِكَ وَلاَ نَسُوْئُكَ )
"We will please you concerning your Ummah and will not cause you distress."
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 202
These three blessed hadiths are evidence that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was extremely compassionate and kind.
⑤ Mention of the Noble Qualities of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in the Torah and the Gospel
The mention of the noble qualities of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, is not only in the Holy Quran but also in the Torah and the Gospel, where he, peace be upon him, is praised. The Divine command is:
﴿الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الْطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ مَعَهُ ۙ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴿١٥٧﴾
"Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in their own scriptures—the Torah and the Gospel—he commands them to do what is right and forbids them from doing what is wrong, makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the impure, and removes from them their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So those who believe in him, support him, and follow the light which has been sent down with him—they are the successful ones."
Reference: Surah Al-A'raf:157
⑥ The Prayer of Ibrahim, peace be upon him, and the Fulfillment of the Glad Tidings of Isa, peace be upon him
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, is the fulfillment of the prayer of Ibrahim, peace be upon him, and the glad tidings of Isa, peace be upon him.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(( أَنَا دَعْوَۃُ إِبْرَاہِیْمَ،وَکَانَ آخِرُ مَنْ بَشَّرَ بِیْ عِیْسَی بْنُ مَرْیَمَ))
"I am the prayer of Ibrahim
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. And the glad tidings of my coming were given last by Isa bin Maryam
Reference: (peace be upon him)
.
Reference: Silsilat al-Sahihah:3596
When Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) completed the construction of the Kaaba, he made several prayers. One of those prayers was:
﴿رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴾
"O our Lord! Send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite Your verses to them, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah:129
Thus, Allah accepted the prayer of Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and sent Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from the descendants of Hazrat Ismail (peace be upon him).
And regarding the glad tidings of Hazrat Isa (Jesus) عليه السلام, Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ﴾
"And when Jesus, the son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah to you, confirming what was before me of the Torah and giving glad tidings of a messenger to come after me whose name is Ahmad." [Surah As-Saff: 6]
And someone has rightly said:
بَشَارَۃُ عِیْسٰی وَوَعْظُ الْکَلِیْمِ دُعَاءُ إِبْرَاہِیْمَ عِنْدَ الْحَطِیْمِ
جَمِیْعُ النَّبِیِّیْنَ وَالْمُرْسَلِیْنَ بِهِ بَشَّرُوْا مُنْذُ عَصْرٍ قَدِیْمِ
"The Holy Prophet ﷺ is the glad tidings of Hazrat Isa عليه السلام, the advice of Kalimullah [Hazrat Musa (Moses) عليه السلام], and the prayer of Hazrat Ibrahim عليه السلام near the Hatim of the Kaaba. And from ancient times, all the Prophets and Messengers عليه السلام have given glad tidings of him."
⑦⑦ Mention of Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ along with the remembrance of Allah
Allah Almighty has granted the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ a great status. Wherever the mention of Allah comes, the mention of the Prophet ﷺ also comes. In the declaration of faith, call to prayer, commencement of prayer, sermon, Tashahhud, and many other places, after the name of Allah Almighty, the name of the Prophet ﷺ is mentioned. Among the Prophets (peace be upon them) and angels, Allah Almighty has elevated the name of the Prophet ﷺ, and in this world and the Hereafter, the name of the Prophet ﷺ is renowned... All this is evidence of the greatness and honor of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Divine command is:
﴿أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ ﴿١﴾ وَوَضَعْنَا عَنكَ وِزْرَكَ ﴿٢﴾ الَّذِي أَنقَضَ ظَهْرَكَ ﴿٣﴾ وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ ﴿٤﴾
"O Prophet! Did We not expand your breast? And We removed from you your burden which had weighed heavily upon your back, and We exalted your name."
Reference: Surah Al-Inshirah: 1 to 4
Hazrat Hassan رضي الله عنه said beautifully!
وَضَمَّ الْإِلٰہُ اِسْمَ النَّبِیِّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ إِذَا قَالَ فِیْ الْخَمْسِ الْمُؤَذِّنُ أَشْہَدُ
وَشَقَّ لَہُ مِنِ اسْمِهِ لِیُجِلَّہُ فَذُوْ الْعَرْشِ مَحْمُوْدٌ وَہٰذَا مُحَمَّدُ
"Allah Almighty has combined the name of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم with His own name when the Mu'adhdhin says five times while giving the call to prayer
Reference: (Ashhadu)
. And He took your name from His own name to honor you, thus the One on the Throne is Mahmood and this is Muhammad."⑧ Covenant with the Noble Prophets عليه السلام
Allah Almighty took a covenant from all the Prophets, peace be upon them, that they would believe in Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and support and assist him. Therefore, if Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, had been sent during the time of any one of them, they would have had no option but to follow him. Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ لَمَا آتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَابٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُ ۚ قَالَ أَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِي ۖ قَالُوا أَقْرَرْنَا ۚ قَالَ فَاشْهَدُوا وَأَنَا مَعَكُم مِّنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ﴿٨١﴾ فَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ ﴿٨٢﴾
"And [remember] when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets, [saying], 'Whatever I give you of the Scripture and wisdom and then there comes to you a Messenger confirming what is with you, you must believe in him and support him.' Allah said, 'Do you agree and accept this obligation?' They said, 'We agree.' He said, 'Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.' So whoever turns away after that - they are the defiantly disobedient." [Surah Al-Imran: 81-82]
Through this era, Allah Almighty established the superiority of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over all other Prophets, peace be upon them.
⑨ The Miracle of Mi'raj
Allah Almighty bestowed upon the Prophet ﷺ the miracle of Isra and Mi'raj, which holds great significance because through it Allah also established the superiority of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over all other Prophets and Messengers, peace be upon them. Accordingly, the Prophet ﷺ led the prayers of the Prophets, peace be upon them, at Masjid al-Aqsa. Then the Prophet ﷺ was taken above the heavens, as far as Allah willed, and during this blessed journey, the Prophet ﷺ met many Prophets, peace be upon them. He was shown Paradise and five daily prayers were made obligatory upon him ﷺ... This entire journey is evidence of the greatness and importance of the Prophet ﷺ and his superiority.
Some Miracles of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
Allah, the Lord of Glory, granted Prophet Muhammad ﷺ many miracles that indicate his exalted status. Among them, the most important miracle is the Holy Quran, which, in terms of eloquence, rhetoric, and comprehensiveness, poses a challenge that humbles all the world's literati and orators. Indeed, even if all jinn and humans were to unite, they would not be able to produce a single chapter like it until the Day of Judgment.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَىٰ أَن يَأْتُوا بِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا ﴿٨٨﴾
"Say: If all mankind and jinn were to come together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help."
Reference: Surah Al-Isra: 88
Besides this, listen to the mention of some other miracles of the Prophet ﷺ.
◄ عن أنس رضی اللہ عنہ قَالَ:حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاۃُ فَقَامَ مَنْ کَانَ قَرِیْبَ الدَّارِ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ یَتَوَضَّأُ وَبَقِیَ قَوْمٌ،فَأُتِی النَّبِیُّ صلي الله عليه وسلم بِمِخْضَبٍ مِنْ حِجَارَۃٍ فِیہِ مَاءٌ ، فَوَضَعَکَفَّہُ،فَصَغُرَ الْمِخْضَبُ أَنْ یَبْسُطَ فِیہِ کَفَّہُ،فَضَمَّ أَصَابِعَہُ فَوَضَعَہَا فِی الْمِخْضَبِ، فَتَوَضَّأَ الْقَوْمُ کُلُّہُمْ جَمِیْعًا،قُلْتُ: کَمْ کَانُوا؟ قَالَ: ثَمَانُونَ رَجُلاً۔
◄ Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that once the time for prayer came, and those people whose houses were near the mosque went and performed ablution, but many others remained who did not have water to perform ablution. So, a stone bowl was brought to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) which had a little water in it. He (peace be upon him) wanted to put his whole hand in it, but the bowl was so small that his whole hand could not fit in it. Therefore, he (peace be upon him) gathered his fingers together and put them into the bowl. Then all the people performed ablution. I asked: How many were they? They said: They were the same individuals.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 3575
◄ Another similar miracle is narrated by Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه as follows:
وعنہ أیضا أَنَّ نَبِیَّ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم وَأَصْحَابَہُ بِالزَّوْرَائِ ( قَالَ : وَالزَّوْرَاءُ بِالْمَدِیْنَةَ عِنْدَ السُّوقِ وَالْمَسْجِدِ فِیْمَا ثَمَّہْ)،دَعَا بِقَدَحٍ فِیْہِ مَاءٌ،فَوَضَعَ کَفَّہُ فِیْہِ،فَجَعَلَ یَنْبُعُ مِنْ بَیْنِ أَصَابِعِه، فَتَوَضَّأَ جَمِیْعُ أَصْحَابِه،قَالَ،قُلْتُ: کَمْ کَانُوا یَا أَبَا حَمْزَۃَ ؟ قَالَ:کَانُوا زُہَاءَ الثَّلاَثِمِائَة۔
The Holy Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and his companions رضي الله عنهم were at Al-Zawra, which is a place near the market and close to the mosque in Madinah Munawwarah. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked for a bowl containing water. Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم placed his blessed hand in it, from between his fingers water began to flow. Consequently, all the companions رضي الله عنهم performed ablution. The narrator
Reference: (Qatadah)
says that I asked them: How many were they? Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه replied: They were nearly three hundred.
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 2279
◄ Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that on the day of Hudaybiyyah, people were extremely thirsty and they had no water to drink. However, there was a vessel of water in front of the Prophet (peace be upon him) from which he began to perform ablution. Consequently, people came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a state of panic and distress. He asked: What has happened to you? They replied: We have no water to drink or to perform ablution, and at this moment, the only water here is that which is in front of you. So the Prophet (peace be upon him) placed his blessed hand in that vessel, from which water began to gush out like springs between his fingers. Therefore, we drank plenty of water and also performed ablution. I [the narrator] asked: How many of you were there? He [Hazrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him)] said: Even if we had been one hundred thousand, the water would have sufficed; however, that day we were one thousand five hundred people.
◄ عن عبد اللہ قَالَ : کُنَّا نَعُدُّ الآیَاتِ بَرَکَةٌ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعُدُّوْنَہَا تَخْوِیْفًا،کُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم فِی سَفَرٍ فَقَلَّ الْمَاءُ،فَقَالَ:(اُطْلُبُوْا فَضْلَةً مِنْ مَّاءٍ)، فَجَاؤُا بِإِنَاءٍ فِیْہِ مَاءٌ قَلِیْلٌ،فَأَدْخَلَ یَدَہُ فِی الْإِنَاءِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : (حَیَّ عَلَی الطَّہُوْرِ الْمُبَارَكَ وَالْبَرَکَةُ مِنَ اللّٰہِ )،فَلَقَدْ رَأَیْتُ الْمَاءَ یَنْبُعُ مِنْ بَیْنِ أَصَابِعِ رَسُولِ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم ،وَلَقَدْ کُنَّا نَسْمَعُ تَسْبِیْحَ الطَّعَامِ وَہُوَ یُؤْکَلُ۔
Hazrat Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that we used to consider the miracles of the Prophet as a source of blessing, while you think that they were only to frighten the
Reference: (disbelievers)
. Once, we were traveling with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) when the water became scarce. He (peace be upon him) said: "Bring the remaining water." The companions (may Allah be pleased with them) brought a vessel with a little water in it. The Prophet (peace be upon him) placed his hand in it and then said: "Come to the blessed water, and the blessing is only from Allah." I saw water flowing from between the fingers of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). And sometimes, when food was being eaten, we used to hear the sound of tasbih (glorification) from it.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:3579
◄ Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that once Hazrat Abu Talha (RA) said to Hazrat Umm Salim (RA): I felt weakness in the voice of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) today, and perhaps it is due to hunger! So, do you have any food? She said: Yes, I do. Then she took out some barley bread. After that, she wrapped the bread in a part of her shawl and gave it into my hands, covering me with the remaining part of the shawl, and sent me to the presence of the Messenger of Allah (SAW). Hazrat Anas (RA) narrates that when I reached the mosque, I saw that some other people were also present with the Prophet (SAW). I went and stood near them. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked me:
Did Abu Talha send you? I said: Yes. He (SAW) said: Did he send you with food? I said: Yes. Then the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to all the people sitting with him: Stand up. Then the Prophet (SAW) set out with all the people.
I went ahead of all of them and reached Abu Talha, may Allah be pleased with him, and informed him about the arrival of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and the noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them. Abu Talha, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Umm Salim! The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, has arrived with the people, and we have nothing to feed them! Umm Salim, may Allah be pleased with her, said: Allah knows best, and His Messenger, peace be upon him, knows best!
Then Abu Talha, may Allah be pleased with him, went and welcomed the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and brought him into the house along with the others.
Reference: In a narration in Sahih Muslim, Abu Talha, may Allah be pleased with him, said: O Messenger of Allah! The food is very little. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
(ہَلُمَّہْ،فَإِنَّ اللّٰہَ سَیَجْعَلُ فِیْہِ الْبَرَکَةَ )
"Bring whatever there is; Allah will bless it."
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 2040
Upon entering the house, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
(ہَلُمِّیْ یَا أُمَّ سُلَیْمٍ مَا عِنْدَكَ)
"O Umm Salim! Bring whatever you have."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 3578
Thus, Umm Salim (may Allah be pleased with her) brought those same breads, and according to the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him), they were broken into pieces, and Umm Salim (may Allah be pleased with her) poured ghee over them, so it was like a stew. After that, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) recited over it whatever Allah willed.
Reference: In a narration in Sahih Muslim, it is mentioned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) touched the food and prayed for its blessing
and said: (إِئْذَنْ لِعَشَرَۃٍ) "Allow ten people to come in." So they called in ten people.
Reference: In a narration in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (كُلُوْا وَسَمُّوا اللّٰہَ) "Say Bismillah and start eating."
They ate their fill and then got up and left. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said: (إِئْذَنْ لِعَشَرَۃٍ ) "Allow ten people to come in." So they called in another ten people, who also ate their fill and then got up and left. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said: (إِئْذَنْ لِعَشَرَۃٍ ) "Allow ten people to come in." So they called in another ten people, who also ate their fill and then got up and left. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said: (إِئْذَنْ لِعَشَرَۃٍ) "Allow ten people to come in." In this way, all the people ate their fill, and these were no more than forty individuals.
Reference: In a narration in Sahih Muslim, it is mentioned that after this, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the rest of the household ate, and there was still food left, so they sent it to the neighbors.
◄ Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) narrates that during the days when the trench was being dug, I saw the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in a state of severe hunger. I went to my wife and asked her: Do you have any food? Because I saw the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had become thin due to extreme hunger! So she took out a bag containing one Sa'
Reference: (approximately two and a half kilograms)
of barley. Besides that, we also had a young pet goat which I slaughtered. When my wife finished kneading the flour, she came to me. I cut the meat into pieces and put it in her pot and set off towards the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). When my wife was leaving, she said to me
Reference: (since the food was little)
, do not embarrass me in front of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and his companions (RA). So I presented myself before the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and requested confidentially: O Messenger of Allah! We had a small goat which we have slaughtered and my wife has prepared one Sa' of barley flour, so please come to our house with some of your companions. Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said loudly:◄ (( یَا أَہْلَ الْخَنْدَقِ،إِنَّ جَابِرًا قَدْ صَنَعَ لَکُمْ سُوْرًا،فَحَیَّہَلاَ بِکُمْ))
"O people of the trench! Indeed Jabir (RA) has prepared food for you, so all of you come."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 3070
And the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) addressed me and said:
(( لاَ تَنْزِلَنَّ بُرْمَتَکُمْ ، وَلاَ تَخْبِزَنَّ عَجِیْنَتَکُمْ حَتّٰی أَجِیْئَ ))
"Do not remove your pot and do not start baking bread until I come."
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 2039
Now I returned to my home, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also came with the people. I went straight to my wife, and she said: Today you will be disgraced! I said: I have only done what you told me.
Then I went to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the flour, and he put his saliva in it and prayed for blessing. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) turned to our pot, and he also put his saliva in it and prayed for blessing. After that, he said:
(( اُدْعِیْ خَابِزَۃً فَلْتَخْبِزْ مَعَكَ ، وَاقْدَحِیْ مِنْ بُرْمَتِکُمْ،وَلاَ تُنْزِلُوْہَا))
"Call another woman who bakes bread to bake with you, and keep pouring gravy from your pot into bowls, and do not remove it."
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 2039
The number of people was one thousand, and I swear that all of them ate, and still, food was left over. And when they returned, our pot was still boiling as before, and the bread was still being baked.
Reference: (Meaning neither the curry was finished nor the flour)
◄ Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (RA) narrates that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to stand by a tree or a date palm on Fridays. An Ansari woman or man said: O Messenger of Allah! Shall we prepare a pulpit for you? The Prophet (PBUH) said: "If your heart desires, then it is fine."
So they prepared a pulpit for the Prophet (PBUH), and when Friday came, the Prophet (PBUH) turned towards that pulpit to deliver the sermon, but the date palm tree began to cry like small children. Then the Prophet (PBUH) came down from the pulpit and embraced it to his chest. It then began to sob as a crying child sobs when being comforted.
Then the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(( کَانَتْ تَبْکِیْ عَلٰی مَا کَانَتْ تَسْمَعُ مِنَ الذِّکْرِ عِنْدَہَا))
He was crying over the fact that he had lost the mention he used to hear nearby.
Reference: (Now he has gone far from it.[Sahih al-Bukhari:3584
◄ It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(( إِنِّیْ لَأعْرِفُ حَجَرًا بِمَکَّةَ کَانَ یُسَلِّمُ عَلَیَّ قَبْلَ أَنْ أُبْعَثَ،إِنِّیْ لَأعْرِفُہُ الْآنَ ))
"Indeed, I know the stone in Makkah which used to greet me before the Prophethood. And I still recognize it."
Reference: Sahih Muslim:2277
We have mentioned some of the virtues and miracles of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and it is clear that in this brief sermon, it is not possible to cover all the virtues and miracles of the Prophet (peace be upon him)...
We pray to Allah Almighty to grant us all the ability to recognize the status and rank of this great Messenger (peace be upon him). Ameen.
Dear respected ones! After listening to some of the virtues of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), now let us listen to some of his special qualities as well.
Characteristics of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ possesses qualities that no one else has; some of these qualities are:
① Seal of the Prophets
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the prophet and messenger for all people until the Day of Judgment, and no other prophet will come after him. Thus, he is the guide and leader for the entire human race.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٨﴾
"We have sent you as a bringer of good tidings and a warner to all people, but most people do not know."
Reference: Surah Saba:28
He also said:
﴿قُلْ یَا أَیُّہَا النَّاسُ إِنِّیْ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ إِلَیْکُمْ جَمِیْعًا﴾
"Say, O people! I am the Messenger of Allah to you all."
Reference: Surah Al-A'raf:158
He also said:
﴿مَا کَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أبَا أَحَدٍ مِنْ رِّجَالِکُمْ وَلٰکِنْ رَّسُوْلَ اللّٰہِ وَخَاتَمَ النَبِیِّیْنَ﴾
"Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets."
Reference: Surah Al-Ahzab:40
That is, prophethood and messengership have been concluded with you; now whoever claims prophethood after you will certainly be a liar and a deceiver. The Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
(( إِنَّ مَثَلِیْ وَمَثَلَ الْأنْبِیَاءِ مِنْ قَبْلِیْ کَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ بَنٰی بَیْتًا فَأَحْسَنَہُ وَأَجْمَلَہُ ، إِلَّا مَوْضِعَ لَبِنَةٍ مِنْ زَاوِیَةٍ ، فَجَعَلَ النَّاسُ یَطُوْفُوْنَ بِهِ وَیَعْجَبُوْنَ لَہُ وَیَقُوْلُوْنَ : ہَلَّا وُضِعَتْ ہٰذِہِ اللَّبِنَةُ ؟ قَالَ : فَأَنَا اللَّبِنَةُ،وَأَنَا خَاتَمُ النَّبِیِّیْنَ))
"The example of me and the prophets before me is like a man who built a house, constructed it very beautifully, and decorated it well, but left one brick missing in a corner. Then people would walk around it, marvel at its beauty, and say, 'Why was this brick not placed?' I am indeed that last brick, and in this respect, I am the Seal of the Prophets."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 3535
From this hadith, it is proven that in the palace of prophethood, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is the last brick, and after his mission, there is no room for any addition to this palace.
② The Ummah of Muhammad is the Most Excellent Ummah
The Ummah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the most excellent and the best Ummah compared to all previous nations.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا﴾
And thus We have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.
Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah:143
He also said:
﴿كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ﴾
You are the best nation produced
Reference: (because)
you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and you believe in Allah.
Reference: Surah Aal-e-Imran:110
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"Your duration compared to the duration of previous nations is like the time from Asr prayer until sunset. And your example and that of the Jews and Christians is like a man who brought some laborers and said: Who will work for one qirat from morning until noon? The Jews worked for one qirat until noon. Then he said: Who will work for one qirat from noon until Asr prayer? The Christians worked for one qirat from noon until Asr prayer. Then he said: Who will work for two qirats from Asr prayer until sunset?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Beware! You are the ones who worked for two qirats from Asr prayer until sunset, beware! Your reward is doubled. Then the Jews and Christians became angry and said: We worked more but received less reward? So Allah Almighty said: Did I deprive you of your right and wrong you? They said: No. Allah said: Then this is My grace, I give it to whom I will."
③ Six Characteristics
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, mentioned some of his characteristics as follows:
(( فُضِّلْتُ عَلَی الْأنْبِیَاءِ بِسِتٍّ :أُعْطِیْتُ جَوَامِعَ الْکَلِمِ ، وَنُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ،وَأُحِلَّتْ لِیَ الْغَنَائِمُ،وَجُعِلَتْ لِیَ الْأرْضُ طَہُوْرًا وَّمَسْجِدًا،وَأُرْسِلْتُ إِلَی الْخَلْقِ کَافَّةً،وَخُتِمَ بِی النَّبِیُّوْنَ))
"I have been given superiority over other prophets by six things: First, that I was given comprehensive words; second, that I was supported with awe and grandeur; third, that the spoils of war were made lawful for me; fourth, that the earth was made pure and a mosque for me; fifth, that I was sent as a messenger to all people; and sixth, that through me the chain of prophethood was ended."
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 523
In another narration, it is stated:
(( أُعْطِیْتُ خَمْسًا لَمْ یُعْطَہُنَّ أَحَدٌ قَبْلِیْ : کَانَ کُلُّ نَبِیٍّ یُبْعَثُ إِلٰی قَوْمِهِ خَاصَّةٌ ، وَبُعِثْتُ إِلٰی کُلِّ أَحْمَرَ وَأَسْوَدَ، وَأُحِلَّتْ لِیَ الْغَنَائِمُ ، وَلَمْ تُحَلَّ لِأَحَدٍ قَبْلِیْ، وَجُعِلَتْ لِیَ الْأرْضُ طَیِّبَةٌ طَہُوْرًا وَّمَسْجِدًا،فَأَیُّمَا رَجُلٍ أَدْرَکَتْہُ الصَّلَاۃُ صَلّٰی حَیْثُ کَانَ،وَنُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ بَیْنَ یَدَیْ مَسِیْرَۃِ شَہْرٍ، وَأُعْطِیْتُ الشَّفَاعَةَ ))
"I have been given five things which were not given to anyone before me: First, every prophet was sent to his own people, whereas I have been sent to both the white and the black. Second, the spoils of war have been made lawful for me, whereas they were not made lawful for anyone before me. Third, the earth has been made pure and a place of worship for me, so wherever the time for prayer comes, a person should pray there. Fourth, when I am a month’s journey away from the enemy, Allah instills awe and fear of me in the hearts of the enemy. Fifth, I have been granted permission to intercede [on the Day of Judgment].
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 521
④ The Seriousness of Lying About the Prophet ﷺ
One of the characteristics of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is that lying about him, that is, attributing any fabricated statement or false act to him (peace be upon him), is an extremely serious crime and a major sin. That is why the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(( إِنَّ کَذِبًا عَلَیَّ لَیْسَ کَکَذِبٍ عَلٰی أَحَدٍ ، فَمَنْ کَذَبَ عَلَیَّ مُتَعَمِّدًا فَلْیَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَہُ مِنَ النَّارِ))
"To lie about me is not like lying about any ordinary person. Whoever deliberately lies about me should prepare his place in Hell."
Reference: Sahih Muslim:4
Therefore, before attributing any hadith to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it is essential to investigate it. If it is proven with an authentic chain of narration, then it should be narrated; otherwise, it should be avoided. Especially in this era, the importance of this matter has increased even more because false and fabricated hadiths have become widely known among both the general public and scholars. Some less knowledgeable people even consider it permissible to narrate weak and false traditions in the virtues of deeds and do so with great enthusiasm.
⑤ Infallible
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is infallible and free from error in conveying the message of prophethood.
The Divine command is:
﴿وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ ﴿١﴾ مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ ﴿٢﴾ وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ ﴿٣﴾ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ ﴿٤﴾
“By the star when it descends, your companion
Reference: (Muhammad, peace be upon him)
is neither astray nor misguided. Nor does he speak from his own desire; it is only a revelation that is revealed.”
Reference: Surah An-Najm: 1 to 4
These verses prove that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is infallible in conveying the message of prophethood, and also that all the authentic and established commands of the Prophet ﷺ are the revelation of Allah Almighty, and following them is as necessary as following the Holy Quran.
And Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that whatever hadith I heard from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), I used to write it down with the intention of memorizing it. But the Quraysh forbade me from doing so and said: You write down whatever you hear from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), yet he is only a human. Sometimes he speaks in happiness and sometimes in anger! So I stopped writing. Then I mentioned this matter in front of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and he (peace be upon him) pointed to his blessed mouth with his finger and said:
(( اُکْتُبْ،فَوَالَّذِیْ نَفْسِیْ بِیَدِہٖ مَا یَخْرُجُ مِنْہُ إِلَّا حَقٌّ))
"Keep writing, for by the One in Whose hand is my soul! Nothing comes out of this mouth except the truth."
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 3646
⑥ Some Characteristics Related to the Day of Resurrection
Among the characteristics of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ related to the Day of Judgment, listen to a few mentioned in the Ahadith.
① It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(أَنَا سَیِّدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ ، وَأَوَّلُ مَنْ یَّنْشَقُّ عَنْہُ الْقَبْرُ، وَأَوَّلُ شَافِعٍ ، وَأَوَّلُ مُُشَفَّعٍ)
"I will be the leader of the children of Adam
Reference: ( عليه السلام )
on the Day of Judgment. And my grave will be opened first. I will intercede first, and my intercession will be accepted first."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 10985
② It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Saeed (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
(( أَنَا سَیِّدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ وَلَا فَخْرَ،وَبِیَدِیْ لِوَاءُ الْحَمْدِ وَلَا فَخْرَ،وَمَا مِنْ نَّبِیٍٍّ یَوْمَئِذٍ آدَمُ فَمَنْ سِوَاہُ إِلَّا تَحْتَ لِوَائِیْ،وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ شَافِعٍ،وَأَوَّلُ مُشَفَّعٍ،وَلَا فَخْرَ))
"I will be the leader of the children of Adam on the Day of Resurrection, and there is no pride in that. The banner of 'Al-Hamd' (Praise) will be in my hand, and there is no pride in that either. On that day, Hazrat Adam
Reference: (AS)
and all other Prophets will be gathered under my banner. I will intercede first, and my intercession will be accepted first, and there is no pride in that."
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi: 3148
③ It is narrated from Hazrat Anas (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
(( أَنَا أَکْثَرُ الْأنْبِیَاءِ تَبِعًا یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ ، وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ مَنْ یَّقْرَعُ بَابَ الْجَنَّةِ ))
"On the Day of Resurrection, I will have the most followers compared to all other Prophets, and I will be the first to knock on the gate of Paradise."
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 196
④ Maqam-e-Mahmood … Intercession for all people of the gathering
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
"I will be the leader of the people on the Day of Resurrection. Do you know how that will be? Allah will gather all people in an open plain where the voice of a caller
Reference: (caller)
can be heard by all, and everyone can be seen at a glance. The sun will come close, and the people will be in such a state of grief and distress that they will become helpless and unable to bear their troubles. Then they will say to one another: Do you not see what condition we are in? Do you not see the state of our distress? So, do you not seek someone who will intercede for you with your Lord? Then they will say to one another: Let us go to Adam
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. Then they will go to him and say: O Adam! You are the father of us and all humans. Allah created you with His own hands and breathed His spirit into you, and He commanded the angels, so they prostrated before you. Intercede for us with your Lord. Do you not see what condition we are in? Do you not see the state of our distress?"
Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him) will reply: Indeed, my Lord is angrier today than He has ever been before and will ever be again. And He had forbidden me from going near the tree, but I disobeyed Him.
(نَفْسِیْ نَفْسِیْ ) Today I am worried about myself; you go to someone else besides me, and my advice is that you go to Noah
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. So he will go to Noah (peace be upon him) and say: O Noah! You were the first messenger of Allah on earth, and Allah has declared you a grateful servant. Intercede with your Lord; do you not see what our condition is? Do you not see the state of our distress?Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) will reply: Indeed, my Lord is today more wrathful than ever before and will never be so again. And I had cursed my people, therefore ( نَفْسِیْ نَفْسِیْ ). Today I am concerned for myself; you go to Ibrahim
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. So he will go to Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and say to him:O Ibrahim! You are Allah’s prophet and the only one among all the people of the earth who was His friend (Khalil). Intercede with your Lord; do you not see what our condition is? Do you not see the state of our distress?
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) will respond: Indeed, my Lord is more angry today than ever before and will never be so again. And he
Reference: (Ibrahim (peace be upon him))
will remember his three mistakes and say: (نَفْسِیْ نَفْسِیْ) Today I am concerned only for myself, you go to Musa
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. So he will go to Musa (peace be upon him) and say to him:O Musa! You are the Messenger of Allah, Allah has honored you with His prophethood and has spoken with you, giving you superiority over others. Intercede with your Lord, do you not see what our condition is? Do you not see the state of our distress?
Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) will reply: Indeed, my Lord is more angry today than He has ever been before and will ever be again. And I have killed a soul which I was not commanded to kill. ( نَفْسِیْ نَفْسِیْ) Today I am concerned only for myself; you go to Jesus
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. So he will go to Jesus (peace be upon him) and say to him:O Jesus! You are the Messenger of Allah, you spoke to people while in your mother's lap, you were created from the Word of Allah
Reference: (Be)
which Allah cast upon Mary
Reference: (peace be upon her)
, and you are from the Spirit of Allah. So intercede with your Lord; do you not see what our condition is? Do you not see the state of our distress?Jesus (peace be upon him) will answer: Indeed, my Lord is today more angry than ever before and never will be again. And he will not remember any of his mistakes
Reference: ( but still he will say)
: (نَفْسِیْ نَفْسِیْ ) Today I am only concerned about myself, you go to someone else besides me. You go to Muhammad
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. So he will come and say: O Muhammad
Reference: (peace be upon him)
! You are the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets, and Allah has forgiven your past and future mistakes, intercede with your Lord, do you not see what our condition is? Do you not see the state of our distress?The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: I will set out and come under the Throne and prostrate before my Lord, then Allah Almighty will grant me expansion of the chest and inspire me with such words of praise and glorification that He has not inspired anyone before me. Then He will say:
(( یَا مُحَمَّدُ ، اِرْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ،سَلْ تُعْطَہْ، اِشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ))
O Muhammad! Raise your head and ask; your request will be granted. And you intercede; your intercession will be accepted. So I will raise my head and say: ( یَا رَبِّ أُمَّتِیْ أُمَّتِیْ) O my Lord! Forgive my Ummah
Reference: (forgive them)
save my Ummah
Reference: (from Hellfire)
.It will be said:
(( أَدْخِلِ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ مَنْ لَّا حِسَابَ عَلَیْہِ مِنَ الْبَابِ الْأیْمَنِ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَہُمْ شُرَکَاءُ النَّاسِ فِیْمَا سِوَی ذٰلِكَ مِنَ الْأبْوَابِ))
O Muhammad! Admit every person of your Ummah who is exempt from reckoning through the right gate of Paradise; these people will also have permission to come and go through the other gates of Paradise.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 4712
By the Being in Whose Hand is my life! Indeed, the distance between every two gates of Paradise will be as much as the distance between Makkah and Hijr or between Makkah and Basra.‘‘
Reference: (In Bukhari's narration, Makkah and Hamir are mentioned.)
It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that "On the Day of Resurrection, people will be prostrated on their knees; every nation will follow behind its Prophet and will say: O so-and-so! Intercede, O so-and-so! Plead, until intercession will be asked from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). And this is the very day when Allah Almighty will appoint you (peace be upon him) at the Praiseworthy Station (Maqam Mahmood)."
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"... people will be in severe distress three times. They will come to Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him) and say: You are our father, so intercede for us with your Lord on our behalf. He will say: I committed a sin for which I was sent down from
Reference: (Paradise)
to the earth, so go to Noah
Reference: (peace be upon him)
.
Reference: (They will then go to him and ask for intercession, but)
he will say: I cursed the people of the earth, and because of that, they were destroyed. So go to Ibrahim
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. They will come to Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him)
Reference: (and request intercession, but)
he will say: I told three lies, so go to Musa
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. They will come to Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him), but he will say: I killed a person, so go to Isa
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. They will come to Hazrat Isa (peace be upon him), but he will say: I was worshipped besides Allah, so go to Muhammad
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. They will then come to me, and I will go with them."Ibn Jid'an narrates that Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I seemed to see the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) when he was saying:
"I will come to the gate of Paradise and knock on the door. It will be asked: Who is it? It will be said: Muhammad
Reference: (peace be upon him)
. So they will open the door for me and welcome me. Then I will prostrate before Allah, and Allah will inspire me with words of praise and glorification. Then it will be said: (اِرْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ وَسَلْ تُعْطَ،وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ،وَقُلْ یُسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِكَ )Raise your head and ask; your request will be fulfilled. And intercede; your intercession will be accepted. And speak; your speech will be heard.
And this is the Praiseworthy Station about which Allah has said:
﴿عَسَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا﴾
Who is most deserving of the intercession of the Prophet (peace be upon him)?
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): Who among the people will be the most fortunate, for whom you will intercede on the Day of Judgment?
He (ﷺ) replied:
(( لَقَدْ ظَنَنْتُ یَا أَبَا ہُرَیْرَۃَ،أَنْ لَّا یَسْأَلَنِیْ عَنْ ہٰذَا الْحَدِیْثِ أَحَدٌ أَوْلٰی مِنْكَ لِمَا رَأَیْتُ مِنْ حِرْصِكَ عَلَی الْحَدِیْثِ،أَسْعَدُ النَّاسِ بِشَفَاعَتِیْ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ:مَنْ قَالَ: لَا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ خَالِصًا مِّنْ قِبَلِ نَفْسِهِ))
"O Abu Hurairah! I was certain that you would ask about this because you have a great eagerness to hear hadiths.
Reference: (So listen)
The one most deserving of my intercession on the Day of Judgment will be the one who sincerely says from the depths of his heart لا إلہ إلا اللہ."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 6570
⑨ The Pool of the Prophet (ﷺ)
One of the special attributes of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is that on the Day of Judgment, he (ﷺ) will be granted the Pool of Kawthar from which he (ﷺ) will give water to his followers to drink.
Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that one day the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was sitting with us, and suddenly he dozed off. Then the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) lifted his head smiling. We asked: Why are you smiling?
He (PBUH) said: A Surah has just been revealed to me. Then he (PBUH) recited this Surah:
﴿إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ ﴿١﴾ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ ﴿٢﴾ إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ ﴿٣﴾
After that, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: Do you know what Al-Kawthar is? We said: Allah and His Messenger
Reference: (peace be upon him)
know best. Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: It is a river which Allah has promised me, in which there is abundant goodness. It is a pond upon which the people of my Ummah will come on the Day of Judgment, and the number of its vessels is equal to the number of stars. Then some people will be pushed back. I will say: O my Lord! These are my followers! It will be said: You do not know what new things they innovated in the religion after you.And Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that I said: O Messenger of Allah! What are the vessels of the Pond? He (peace be upon him) said:
(( وَالَّذِیْ نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِیَدِہٖ لَآنِیَتُہُ أَکْثَرُ مِنْ عَدَدِ نُجُوْمِ السَّمَاءِ وَکَوَاکِبِہَا فِیْ اللَّیْلَةِ الْمُظْلِمَةِ الْمُصْحِیَةِ،آنِیَةُ الْجَنَّةِ مَنْ شَرِبَ مِنْہَا لَمْ یَظْمَأْ آخِرَ مَا عَلَیْہِ،یَشْخَبُ فِیْہِ مِیْزَابَانِ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ مَنْ شَرِبَ مِنْہُ لَمْ یَظْمَأْ ،عَرْضُہُ مِثْلُ طُوْلِهِ،مَا بَیْنَ عَمَّانَ إِلٰی أَیْلَةَ،مَاؤُہُ أَشَدُّ بَیَاضًا مِنَ الثَّلْجِ وَأَحْلٰی مِنَ الْعَسَلِ))
"By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad (peace be upon him)! Its vessels are more numerous than the stars that appear in a dark and cloudless night; they are the vessels of Paradise. Whoever drinks from them will never feel thirst again. Two rivers of Paradise will be flowing in it. Whoever drinks this water once will never feel thirst again. Its width is equal to its length, which is as much as the distance between 'Aman and Ailah. Its water will be whiter than ice and sweeter than honey." [Sahih Muslim: 2300]
And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar and bin Al-As رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
(( حَوْضِیْ مَسِیْرَۃُ شَہْرٍ،وَزَوَایَاہُ سَوَاءٌ،وَمَاؤُہُ أَبْیَضُ مِنَ الْوَرِقِ،وَرِیْحُہُ أَطْیَبُ مِنَ الْمِسْكَ،کِیْزَانُہُ کَنُجُوْمِ السَّمَاءِ،فَمَنْ شَرِبَ مِنْہُ فَلَا یَظْمَأُ بَعْدَہُ أَبَدًا))
"My pond is as long as a month's journey and its edges are equal
Reference: (meaning its width is equal to its length.)
Its water is whiter than silver and its fragrance is better than musk. And its drinking vessels
Reference: (containers)
are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Whoever comes to it and drinks from it once will never be thirsty again."
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 2292
And it is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
(( اَلْکَوْثَرُ نَہْرٌ فِیْ الْجَنَّةِ حَافَتَاہُ مِنْ ذَہَبٍ،وَمَجْرَاہُ عَلیَ الدُّرِّ وَالْیَاقُوْتِ،تُرْبَتُہُ أَطْیَبُ مِنَ الْمِسْكِ،وَمَاؤُہُ أَحْلٰی مِنَ الْعَسَلِ وَأَبْیَضُ مِنَ الثَّلْجِ))
Al-Kawthar is a river in Paradise whose banks are of gold and its flowing paths are of pearls and rubies. Its soil is better than musk and its water is sweeter than honey and whiter than ice.
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi: 3361
These were some of the special attributes of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.
In the end, the prayer is to Allah Almighty that on the Day of Judgment, He grants us the water of the Pond of Kawthar from the hands of the beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and grants us the intercession of the Prophet, peace be upon him. Ameen.
