The Distinctive Grandeur of the Leader of Both the Worlds

The Prophet Muhammad SAW has special distinctive notabilities. This was the reason that on the auspicious occasion of the Ascent (M'iraj), he was made the Imam (leader) of all the Prophets AS at Baitulmuqaddis. Similarly, on the Day of Judgement, too, it will be the Prophet Muhammad SAW who will act as an intercessor to implore Allah Most High to give His Judgements. This is the same Lauded Station (Maqam Al-Mahmud) which does not befit anyone but the Prophet Muhammad SAW. All the eminent Prophets AS and all the Holy Messengers AS, on that day, will not dare to act as the intercessor. Only the Prophet Muhammad SAW alone will stand at that station.

The eminent classical scholar - Ibn Hajar Al-Haythami Al-Makki says that Allah Most High has bestowed upon Rasulullah SAW all kinds of superiority over all other Prophets AS and Messengers AS. Ordinarily, the Prophet SAW's special qualities would require volumes upon volumes of kitabs for even the greatest of scholars to describe; and of these, there are Three Special Notabilities which are most obvious, clear and apparent. We shall cover these notabilities in this brief treatise.


THE FIRST SPECIAL NOBILITY

The Prophet Muhammad SAW was called for the Ascent (Mi'raj) with the corporeal i.e. external and physical body and this honour has not been achieved by anyone, save our Holy Prophet SAW, the Chosen Muhammad SAW, and the glory of his singularity is also displayed by the honours and dignity with which he was called.

In Baitulmuqaddis, the Prophet Muhammad SAW was made the Imam, to lead the Solat (prayer) of all the Angels and the Prophets AS. When the prayer was over, the Angel - Jibril AS introduced all the Prophets AS to him and they all congratulated him and paid tributes of praise.

Then the Prophet Ibrahim AS, praising Allah SWT said:

"Allah Alone deserves laudation, Who made me His Khalil (intimate friend) and bestowed upon me a vast spiritual realm, and made me an obedient ummah (as though one obedient man is equal to thousands of obedient men); and exalted me with His messages and took me out from Namrud's fire and made it cool and the cause of safety for me."

Then the Prophet Musa AS said:

"All praise is for that Lord Who made me His Kalim (i.e. gave me the privilege of speaking with Himself) and exalted me; and revealed the Taurat upon me and accomplished Pharaoh's destruction and the Israelites' emancipation at my hands."

Then the Prophet Dawud AS said:

"Allah Alone is worthy of praise Who invested me with Kingdom, revealed the Zabur upon me, made iron soft for me and made mountains subservient to me so that they and the birds used to glorify the Lord along with me; and bestowed upon me common sense and the capacity for deciding cases."

Then the Prophet Sulaiman AS said:

"Allah Alone deserves praise Who subjugated the winds, the Jinkind and the Mankind to me and made the Shaytaans obedient to me so that they used to make whatever I wished them to make - like fortresses, statues, pond-like troughs and cauldrons that would remain fixed at a place and would not admit any shaking. And He taught me the language of the animals and flowed a stream of molten copper so that I did not have to melt it and got made large vessels at the hands of the Jinnkind, and He bestowed on me such a vast empire which does not befit anyone."

The Prophet Isa AS said:

"Allah Alone is worthy of praise for He gave me knowledge of the Torah and the Injil and made me such that, by Allah's order, I could heal the stone-blind and the lepers and revive the dead to life, and He lifted me to the sky and kept me safe from the infidels' deceit and evil, and gave me and my mother shelter from the condemned Shaytaan and never allowed Shaytaan to have any power over us."

After all had spoken, the Noble Prophet Muhammad SAW began and said:

"You all have lauded your Lord and so I too eulogise my Lord that Allah Alone is worthy of praise who sent me as mercy for the whole Universe and as a harbinger of good and a warning for all the human beings, and He revealed the Qur'an unto me in which there is mention of every necessary thing, and He made my Ummah better than all other ummahs that came to this world, and made my Ummah the middle ummah, and made my Ummah such that as regards honour - it precedes all; and as regards appearance - it is the last of all. He (Allah) caused my bosom to dilate and eased me of my burden and exalted my remembrance; and me alone. He (by the award of prophethood) made first and (as regards advent) the last." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Then the Prophet Ibrahim AS addressed all the Prophets AS and said:

"It is on account of these merits that Allah Most High has given superiority to Muhammad (SAW) over (all of) you."

The above long hadith about the Holy Prophet SAW's superiority over all other Prophets AS has been mentioned by the grand classical scholar of Qur'anic exegesis - Hafiz Ibn Kathir RA.

Since in this Hadith the Holy Prophet SAW has himself mentioned his notabilities, there remains nothing to write about. But the Arabic-knowing persons and religious scholars know full well how concise and succinct are the Holy Prophet SAW's sentences, for while the other Prophets AS mentioned their miracles instead of their specialities, the Holy Prophet SAW described only the latter. Moreover, in accordance he has expressed in a few words so many meanings - as if - he (SAW) has filled up the sea in a cup, and it is truly a fact that the words of kings are the kings of words. Even as he has had leadership over all the Prophets AS, Humankind and Jinnkind, his words also command superiority over all other words of the Creation of Allah SWT.


THE SECOND SPECIAL NOBILITY

The second special and important feature amongst the Prophet Muhammad SAW's special features is - his leadership over all Mankind and Jinnkind. The Prophet SAW is the leader of all the Prophets AS and Messengers AS, rather, the entire Humankind and Jinnkind.

It is narrated that - the Sovereign of the Two Worlds and the Pride of the Two Worlds has said:

"I am myself the leader of Mankind on the Day of Judgement and I am not proud of it. The Banner of Divine Praise shall be in my hands and on this too I take no pride, and the whole Mankind, rather the entirety of creatures, shall be under my banner and of this too I am not proud."

It is stated in another Hadith:

"I am the Friend (Habib) of Allah and I do not take pride on it and it is I who will be holding the Banner of Divine Praise but I am not proud of it, and it is I who shall be the first intercessor whose intercession will be accepted first and yet I do not pride over it. And I will be the first to knock at the door of Paradise which Allah Most High will get opened for me and at that time the poor Believers will be with me; and I am the most respectable amongst all the ancient and the modern ones but I don't take pride on it."

It is further stated in another Hadith, whereby the Prophet Muhammad SAW reports it from Jibril AS and Jibril AS from Allah Most High - that Allah Most High told His Prophet SAW:

"I have specially obliged and rewarded you with seven things : the first amongst them all is that I, in My View, have not created anyone more respectable than you in the Heavens and the Earth."

It is stated in another Hadith:

The Prophet Muhammad SAW states that the Angel Jibril AS told him:

"There is glad tidings and good news for you that you are most superior amongst all the Creation of Allah Most Glorious, and accept this good news that Allah Most High has saluted you in such a manner in which He has never saluted any favourite Angel nor any commissioned Prophet; and the Beneficent Most High has fixed a rank for you near the highest Heaven which was neither given to any inhabitant of the skies nor any denizen of the earth to reach there so far. May Allah Most Glorious make this great post and His salutation auspicious for you!"

It is reported from Abu Hurairah RA:

"On the Day of Judgement I will be the leader of all mankind." (Bukhari)

The Prophet Muhammad SAW is narrated to have said:

"I am the chief of the whole world." (Baihaqi)

Due to this position of leadership the Prophet Muhammad SAW will be awarded the "Lauded Station" on the Day of Judgement, and gracing that post he will request and intercede in the Divine Court to begin the audit of all the creatures. This is the Supreme Intercession and this intercession will be made on that day when all the human beings and Prophets AS will approach Prophet Adam AS, Prophet Nuh AS, Prophet Ibrahim AS, Prophet Musa AS and Prophet Isa AS; and will appeal to them to request Allah Most Glorious so that:

"...either take our account or throw us into Hell for we cannot bear the severity of this place..."

At this each one of the Prophet AS, remembering something about themselves, will say:

"Nafsi, nafsi."
("I am concerned about myself, I am concerned about myself.")

But on that day and at that time, our Master and Leader - the Noble Prophet Muhammad SAW will say:

"Ana laha, ana laha."
(I will perform this, I will perform this.")

All the creatures on that day will be in need of the Prophet Muhammad SAW's glance of magnanimity; their high ones as well as their low ones; their great Prophets AS as well as their Messengers AS. On that day, for that supreme intercession, none save the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW shall be able to say anything.

Anas bin Malik RA reports that the Holy Prophet SAW said:

"Standing there I will be waiting for my Ummah that it may easily cross the Bridge when, all of a sudden, will approach Prophet Isa AS and say:

"O, Muhammad - These great Prophets have come to you for this reason that you may invoke that Allah Most High may disperse this multitude of all the ummahs from this Plain of Resurrection, and send them, as per the load of their sins, to the places where they are to be sent, because the people are drowning in perspiration."

However, perspiration will be flowing like catarrh from the believer, but death will be almost throttling the Unbeliever (Kafir).

The Holy Prophet SAW will say:

"O, Isa! Wait here. I will return quickly."

Saying this the Holy Apostle (SAW) will go and stand under the Divine Throne. Accordingly, he will receive that proximity to Allah that neither any favourite Angel could get nor any Prophet nor any Apostle. Then Allah Most High will tell Holy Jibril to tell Muhammad (SAW):

"Raise your head and ask. Whatever you request will be granted, intercede; and for whomsoever you intercede, your intercession will be admitted." "


THE THIRD SPECIAL NOTABILITY

The third notability of the Noble Prophet Muhammad SAW - which the grand scholar, Ibn Hajar Al-Haythami Al-Makki RA has mentioned concerns those innumerable miracles of his which will last forever, is as follows:

"And by way of a miracle, the Qur'an itself is sufficient which will last till the approach of the Day of Doom; and in itself the Holy Prophet's (SAW) countless miracles and unlimited merits and praises have been described."

The Maidens Of Paradise

The temporary life of this world is a great test for man. Temptations are many and man is weak. Of all the temptations, the temptation relating to the opposite sex is the highest. If the sexual urge of a man is left unchecked and unregulated, there will be total anarchy and mischief in the world.

To control and regulate this desire any form of illicit affiliation with the opposite sex is strictly forbidden. To maintain a high level of morality, Islam has ordained very strict laws and many restrictions to curtail the unlawful, carnal desires of man.

All of these strict restrictions weigh heavily on the 'Nafs' - the desire. The nafs constantly seeks gratification and indulgence of its desires. To control these wild desires is not an easy task. There is a constant struggle that exists between man and his desires in this world. For the young, the struggle is even more intense and great.

For those people who restrain and control the desires of the nafs in this world, Allah has promised immense rewards in the Hereafter. Man sometimes forgets these rewards and becomes inclined in sin. If he is reminded about these rewards, his resolve to control the nafs becomes stronger and more vigorous. It becomes easier to sacrifice the desires in view of these great rewards in the Hereafter.

In this post, only a glimpse of the rewards of the Hereafter - especially those relating to the the Hurs (Maidens) of Jannah are mentioned. By pondering about the beauties of Jannah and its beautiful maidens, we will feel a renewed vigour to fight our carnal desires and strive for the pleasure of Allah by doing righteous deeds. Furthermore, the beauty of the woman of this world will appear pale and insignificant before the beauty of those stunning damsels in Jannah.

Allah has put in every human being the natural desire and inclination for gold, silver, money, transportation, land and other items of this world. Similarly, Allah has placed in every person the natural desire for the opposite sex, and out of the desires of a person, the greatest test for a Muslim is how he fulfils this desire. He can either fail this test by unlawfully satisfying this desire, or pass this test by controlling this desire lawfully through marriage.

In order to motivate us to pass this test, it is very important for us to understanding the reward for controlling one's desires and staying away from evil.

Jannah is a place where a person will have all that he desires, and he will live a perfect and everlasting life. Each pleasure at Jannah will be far more superior than the pleasure found in this world.

Similarly, the women in Jannah will be far more superior to the women living in this world. Once a person gets to know of this, it will become easier for him to stay away from evil and corruption and it will become easy for him to work towards the Hereafter.

This post attempts to provide a rather detailed description of these women based on the verses of the Holy Qur'an, its Tafsir, the Hadith and stories of the Prophets AS.

Those celestial women specially created for the people of Jannah are known as Hur'ayn. A Hur is young, gorgeous, wide-eyed beauty, a fair skinned woman with intensely dark eyes. The meaning of " 'ayn" is a woman with big, attractive eyes, which is also considered a sign of beauty.

The following is a narration from the Sahabahs RA. It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Abbas RA, Anas RA, Abu Salman RA and Mujahid RA that the Hurs will be created from 'saffron'. When the present creation of mankind which is created from sand has the best of forms and beauty, then you can imagine the beauty of women created from saffron.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'an:

"And they will have pure wives in Jannah and they will stay there forever."

With regards to the term "pure" - Qatada RA mentions that these women will be pure from all external impurities such as menstruation, urine excreta and saliva. They will also be free from all evil and internal qualities such as malice, hypocrisy, swearing etc. Thus they will not have within them the smallest amount of disobedience to their husbands.

Allah SWT says:

"And they will have fair females with big, lovely eyes who will be like hidden pearls."

The women of Jannah will be like fresh pearls because of their cleanliness and fair skin colour.

Anas RA narrates that Rasullullah SAW said:

"Definitely, the inhabitants of Jannah will visit a market every Friday. A northly wind will blow and it will spread goodness upon their faces and clothes causing them to increase in beauty. They will then return to their wives after having become more beautiful than they were before. Their wives will say to them, "We swear by Allah, you have definitely increased in beauty". They will also say to their wives, "We swear by Allah, you have also increased in beauty."

In Paradise, the menn who have been gifted entrance will be granted by Allah with more power to enjoy the pleasures with their wives. This is explained in Sahih Bukhari:

"The believer will be given great sexual potency in Jannah. He will be granted potency equal to that of one hundred men." (Sahih Bukhari)

A Hadith narration in Sahih Muslim adds on:

"The person that enters Jannah will be in perpetual Pleasures, Never will he be afflicted in anyway, nor will his clothing wear away and Never will he loose his youth." (Sahih Muslim)

The wives of Jannatis will sing melodiously:

"The women of Jannah will sing so melodiously for their husbands, that the human ear has never heard such melody. Amongst their songs will be the following verses: 'we are the chosen beauties, wives of most honourable husbands, who look with the coolness of eyes, who are perpetual, never dying, who are chaste, never feared, ever present, never absent." (Sahih Bukhari)

As human beings, we have our own understanding of beauty which is confined to our limited and deficient knowledge and its respective standards. Allah, in his infinite knowledge and wisdom had described the women of Jannah as BEAUTIFUL. Beautiful according to the standards of the creating abilities of Allah Almighty. So we cannot comprehend how beautiful these women must actually be.

May Allah grant us the ability to strive for His pleasure in this world and grant us death with Imaan.

Ameen.

Description In The Qur'an About Paradise

My respected brothers and sisters in Islam,

Our final destination - is the life of the Hereafter.

Where we end up, whether it be Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell) depends on what we worked towards in this life.

Paradise is the aim and the hope of every Muslim. But like trying to attain any goal, in order to achieve success, one must have a well-defined plan, and it must be implemented to be successful.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and seek means of nearness to Him and strive hard in His way that you may be successful." (Surah 5: Ayat 35)

To prepare for our journey, we need to find out what our destination is like; who are its people, and most importantly, how to get there.

The Prophet SAW, told us that within Paradise are things that no eyes have ever seen, nor ears have ever heard, and that things in it are beyond our imagination and comprehension. Nevertheless, we all have our own personal ideas of what eternal bliss would probably be like. The ultimate truth is - what Allah has in store for the believers is so much more than this. Allah SWT in His Book, and through His Messenger, Nabi Muhammad SAW, has given us a clear picture of our goal, so that we can keep it in front of us at all times. By keeping our eyes on the prize, no matter whatever our hardships are in this temporary worldly life, we can live to strive much harder for what is more and most superior. Everlasting.

Allah has promised in the Qur'an:

"And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as he ought to strive and he is a believer; (as for) these, their striving shall surely be accepted." (Surah 17: Ayat 19)

Allah has also described Paradise in many places in the Qur'an. So let us now take a look at what Allah has in store for the believers.

"A similitude of the Garden which those who keep their duty (to Allah) are promised - are rivers of water, the taste and smell of which are never changed. Rivers of milk - the taste of which will remain unchanged. Rivers of wine - that will be delicious to those who drink from it and rivers of clear, pure honey. For them will be every kind of fruit and forgiveness from their Lord." (Surah 47: Ayat 15)

And further Allah SWT describes in the Qur'an:

"And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient. Reclining on raised thrones, they will see there neither the excessive heat of the sun, nor the excessive bitter cold, (as in Paradise there is no sun and no moon). The shade will be close upon them, and bunches of fruit will hang low within their reach. Vessels of silver and cups of crystal will be passed around amongst them, crystal-clear, made of silver. They will determine the measure of them according to their wishes. They will be given a cup (of wine) mixed with Zanjabeel, and a fountain called Salsabeel. Around them will (serve) boys of perpetual youth. If you see them, you would think they are scattered pearls. When you look there (in Paradise) you will see a delight (that can not be imagined), and a Great Dominion. Their garments will be of fine green silk and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink." (Surah 76: Ayats 12 to 21)

Further mentioned in the Qur'an:

"And those foremost (In Tauhid and obedience to Allah and His Messenger in this worldly life) will be foremost (in Paradise). They will be those nearest to Allah in the Gardens of Delight. A multitude of those (the foremost) will be from the first generation (who embraced Islam) and a few of those (the foremost) will be from the later (generations). They will be reclining, face to face, on thrones woven with gold and precious stones. They will be served by immortal boys, with cups and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine, from which they will have neither any headache, nor any intoxication. They will have fruit from which they may choose, and the flesh of fowls that they desire. There will be Houris with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for the pious), like preserved pearls, a reward for deeds that they used to do. They will hear no vain or sinful speech (like backbiting, etc.) but only the saying of: Salam, Salam, (greetings of peace).

And those on the Right Hand, who will be those on the Right Hand? They will be among thorn-less lote-trees among Talh (banana trees) with fruits piled one above another, in long-extended shade, by constantly flowing water, and fruit in plenty, whose season is not limited, and their supply will not be cut off. They will be on couches or thrones raised high. Verily, We have created for them (maidens) of equal age, loving (their husbands only). For those on the Right Hand." (Surah 56: Ayats 10 to 38)

Allah SWT has promised in the Qur'an:

"Verily, the dwellers of Paradise that Day, will be busy in joyful things. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds), and all that they will ask for. (It will be said to them): "Salamun" (Peace be on you), a Word from the Lord, Most Merciful." (Surah 36: Ayats 55 to 58)

Can we imagine? Is it absolutely imaginable, that is to say our imaginations have effected our Imaan and life for the better? Wearing the finest silk clothing and sitting on chairs made of gold and precious stones? Those who disbelieve in the words of Allah, say that this is all a fairy-tale, made up by a would-be prophet (na'udzubillah).

But we know, that Allah is the Truthful and that His Messenger, Muhammad SAW, spoke only what was revealed to him (SAW) from the Most Truthful.

And even though Allah describes Paradise for us in the Qur'an, LET US REMEMBER THIS:

Allah SWT still says about Paradise in the Qur'an:

"So no soul knows the delights of the eyes which is hidden for them; a reward for what they did." (Surah 32: Ayat 17)

Apart from the Qur'anic descriptions of Paradise, the Prophet Muhammad SAW himself would often describe Paradise to his companions.

His (SAW) descriptions were oftentimes so vivid and moving, that many-a-companion would hurriedly rush towards it.

This was the case, as Anas narrated that the Messenger of Allah SAW and his (SAW) Companions RA proceeded towards Badr (prior to the Battle of Badr) and arrived there before the disbelievers (of Makkah).

When the disbelievers arrived, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

"None of you should step forward ahead of me to do anything."

Then the disbelievers advanced (towards us), and the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

"Rise to enter Paradise whose width is equal to the Heavens and the Earth."

Umayr Ibnul Humam Al-Ansari (RA) asked:

"O Messenger of Allah, is Paradise equal in width to the heavens and the earth?"

He (SAW) said:

"Yes."

Umayr (RA) said, "Bak'hin! Bak'hin!" (An Arabic word denoting excitement and astonishment)

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked him:

"What made you say these words: Bak'hin, Bak'hin?"

He (Umayr RA) said:

"Messenger of Allah, nothing but the desire to be amongst its residents."

He (SAW) said:

"You are surely among its residents."

He (Umayr RA) then took some dates form his bag and began to eat them.

Then he said:

"If I were to live until I had eaten all of these dates, indeed this life would be too long."

Anas RA then said:

"He (Umayr RA) threw away the remaining dates he had with him. He then fought (the disbelievers) until he was killed."

(The above episode is narrated by Muslim)

Tell Me About Paradise - 101

It is our belief as Muslims that Almighty Allah Ta'ala sent us to this world to test our obedience to Him.

We also believe in resurrection from the grave and accountability in the court of Allah Ta'ala.

If we are SUCCESSFUL in the court of Allah, we will be favoured with the Mercy of Allah through His bounties in Jannah (Paradise).

If we are UNSUCCESSFUL, then if Allah wishes He may forgive us and grant us Jannah or punish us through Jahannam (Hell).

The realities of Jannah are beyond our understanding, therefore, Rasulullah SAW said:

"The bounties of Jannah have not been seen by any eye, heard by any ear or have not passed the imagination of any heart." (Mishkaat)

However, Rasulullah SAW did describe some features of Jannah which may be fairly grasped according to our limited understanding of a human being in this world...

The ground in Jannah will be of strong musk, thereby giving out the most beautiful scent. (Ibid)

The pebbles of Jannah will be of precious pearls and rubies. (Ibid)

The bricks of the palaces in Jannah will be of gold and silver. The cement attaching the bricks will also be of musk. (Ibid)

The carpets in the palaces will be as thick as the distance between the skies and the earth. (Ibid)

There will be four streams of milk, honey, wine and crystal clear water.

The Jannah of the lowest person (i.e. the last person to enter Paradise because of his sins) will be ten times this world. (Bukhari)

No person in Jannah will be regarded low, irrespective of his position. (Mishkaat)

After having witnessed and enjoyed all the bounties of Jannah, Allah will grant the opportunity to witness His magnificent countenance.

Every dweller of Jannah will be dumb stricken by that view and will continuously stare at Allah. (Ibid)

A person will continuously stare at Allah for at least 80 million years.

Thereafter, that opportunity will be afforded to individuals according to their closeness and sacrifices they made in this world for the cause of Deen.

Lastly, but not least, Allah will announce to His successful servants that He has favoured them with His Eternal Pleasure and that He will NEVER be displeased with them. (Ibid)

There would not be any great pleasure in Jannah that being conferred with the pleasure of Allah.

We make Du'a to Allah to forgive us, our parents, our families and relatives - past & present, our wives and all our children and the entire Ummah of Rasulullah SAW - and to favour us with His Jannah.

Ameen. Ameen. Ameen.

Loving Paradise & Fearing Hell - Shirk ?

There is this misunderstanding in the Ummat today where some people say that when a person loves Paradise or hates Hell, then he or she has committed Shirk. This is incorrect.

The definition of Shirk is to ascribe partners to Allah.

A person loving Jannah (Paradise) and hating Jahannam (Paradise) does not ascribe partners with Allah in doing so. In fact, that person is following the order of Allah in doing so, to much of Allah SWT's pleasure.