Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
In the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta’ala commanded Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to follow the millat (path) of Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) – the path of submission. Allah Ta’ala did not command Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to follow Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) himself, as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the leader of all the Ambiyaa including Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam).
Hence, even though Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) is an embodiment of submission, and submission was the hallmark in his life, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) even surpassed him in the level of submission which he displayed before Allah Ta’ala throughout his Mubaarak life.
Hence, in this world, on the occasion of the Mi’raaj, Allah Ta’ala exposed before the creation that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the imaam of all the Ambiyaa and Rasuls, and in the Hereafter as well, Allah Ta’ala will expose, before the entire creation, that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the imaam of all the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) and the greatest of Allah’s Ta’ala creation.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Being the Imaam in This World
On the occasion of Mi’raaj, when all the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) were assembled to meet Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in Bayt-ul-Muqaddas, then Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) held the hand of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and took him forward, making him the imaam to lead all the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) in salaah.
This imaamat signified that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the imaam of all the Ambiyaa and Rasuls (‘alaihimus salaam) – including Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam), as he was also present among the Ambiyaa.
Similarly, during the journey of Mi’raaj, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) passed by certain Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) when ascending in the heavens. He met Nabi Aadam (‘alaihis salaam) in the first heaven, Nabi Isa and Nabi Yahya (‘alaihimas salaam) in the second heaven, Nabi Yusuf (‘alaihis salaam) in the third heaven, Nabi Idrees (‘alaihis salaam) in the fourth heaven, Nabi Haaroon (‘alaihis salaam) in the fifth heaven and Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam) in the sixth heaven.
As for Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam), then he was in the seventh heaven – the highest heaven. This signified the high and lofty position which Hazrat Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) enjoyed among the galaxy of the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam).
However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) even surpassed him and ascended further, reaching Sidratul Muntaha and thereafter meeting Allah Ta’ala. Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had surpassed all the Ambiyaa, including Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam). (Sunan Nasaai #448)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the Most Beloved Servant of Allah Ta’ala
In the Mubarak Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) explained to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and the ummah that Allah Ta’ala had granted him the highest position among the entire creation and that Allah Ta’ala had divinely chosen him to be Habibullah – the most beloved servant of Allah Ta’ala.
Hazrat Ibnu Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that once a group of Sahaabah radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were sitting (in Musjid Nabawi) when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) emerged (from his home) and came towards them.
As he drew closer, he heard them engaged in a discussion among themselves. One of them said, “Indeed, Allah Ta’ala chose Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) as His khaleel (special friend).”
Another said, “Moosa (‘alaihis salaam) was chosen to be Kaleemulaah – the one who had the honour of conversing directly with Allah Ta’ala.”
A third said, “Isa (‘alaihis salaam) was chosen to be the kalimah and rooh of Allah Ta’ala (i.e. he was born with the command of Allah Ta’ala and the rooh was directly inserted into the womb of his mother without the medium of a father).”
A fourth said, “Allah Ta’ala had divinely selected and chosen Aadam (‘alaihis salaam) (to be the father of mankind).”
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then entered their gathering and addressed them saying, “I have overheard your discussion and (I have noticed) your surprise with regard to the esteemed status and lofty positions of the past Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam).
“Certainly, Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) is the khaleel of Allah Ta’ala, and there is no doubt in that. Similarly, Moosa (‘alaihis salaam) had the honour of conversing directly with Allah Ta’ala, and this is an established fact. Accordingly, Isa (‘alaihis salaam) is the kalimah and rooh of Allah Ta’ala, and this is certainly true. As for Aadam (‘alaihis salaam), then he has been divinely selected by Allah Ta’ala, and undoubtedly, he was chosen (to be the father of mankind).
“Behold, I am the habeeb (most beloved servant) of Allah Ta’ala and I say it without any pride. I will be the bearer of the banner of praise on the day of Qiyaamah (behind which will be Hazrat Aadam (‘alaihis salaam) and all those who came after him), and I say this without any pride. I will be the first person to intercede before Allah Ta’ala and the first person whose intercession will be accepted on the day of Qiyaamah, and I say this without any pride. I will be the first to shake the chain of the door of Jannah. Thereafter, Allah Ta’ala will command that the door be opened for me and I be made to enter, while with me will be the poor believers, and I say this without any pride. I am the noblest of all the former and latter people in the sight of Allah Ta’ala, and I say this without any pride.” (Sunan Tirmidhi #3616)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Being the Imaam in the Hereafter
On the Day of Qiyaamah as well, the position of Rasululah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), as the leader of all the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam), will be apparent to all. When mankind will be in a state of terror and anxiety, standing on the Plains of Resurrection, and people will be drowning in their own perspiration, they will be desperate for the reckoning to commence. People will go from Nabi to Nabi, asking them to intercede to Allah Ta’ala and beg Allah Ta’ala to commence the reckoning.
However, each Nabi will decline, until finally, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will go forward, fall into sajdah, and praise Allah Ta’ala for one week with such praises that Allah Ta’ala Himself will inspire Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) with at that time. Thereafter, he will intercede for the entire creation for the reckoning to commence, and his intercession will be accepted. (Saheeh Bukhaari #7510, Fathul Baari 11/437)
In this manner, Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) kindness and compassion will include all the Ambiyaa and Rasuls (‘alaihimus salaam) and their ummats, and it will be manifest to all that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the greatest servant of Allah Ta’ala.
