Encounters during the Mi’raj: Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) Lead All the Prophets in Prayer

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

During the night of the Mi’raj, the Prophet (s.a.w.), accompanied by Jibril (a.s.), travelled until they reached the city of the Hallowed House, and he entered it by its southern gate.  He dismounted the Buraq, and tied it at the gate of the mosque, using the ring by which the prophets tied it before him.  One narration states that Jibril (a.s.) came to the Rock and placed his fingers in it, piercing it, then he tied the Buraq using the spot he had hollowed out. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) entered the mosque from a gate through which the Sun and the Moon could be seen when they set.  He prayed two cycles of prayer and did not tarry long before a large throng of people had gathered.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) recognised all the prophets, some standing in prayer, some bowing, some prostrating.  Then, a caller called out to the prayer and the final call to prayer was made.  They rose and stood in lines, waiting for the one who would lead them.  Jibril (a.s.) took the hand of the Prophet (s.a.w.) and brought him forward.  He led them in two raka’at of swalah. 

Shaykh Muhammad al-Hasan ibn ‘Alawi al-Maliki (q.s.) said, “This took place before his Ascension according to the highest probability.” 

Shaykh Najm ad-Din al-Ghaytsi (r.a.) said, “The narrations agree to the fact that the Prophet (s.a.w.) prayed among the other prophets in Jerusalem before his Ascension.” 

This is one of the two possibilities mentioned by Qadhi Abu al-Fadhl ‘Iyadh ibn ‘Amr al-Yahsubi (r.a.).  Imam Shihab ad-Din Abu al-Fadhl Ahmad ibn ‘Ali ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalani (r.a.) said, “This is apparently the case.  The second possibility is that he prayed among them after he came down from Heaven, and they came down also.”  Hafizh ‘Imad ad-Din Abu al-Fida’ Isma’il ibn ‘Umar ibn Katsir (r.a.) also declared the former scenario as the sound one. 

Some said, “What is the objection to the possibility that the Prophet (s.a.w.) prayed among them twice, since some of the hadits mention that he led them in prayer after his Ascent?” 

The following as related from Sayyidina Ka’b ibn Malik (r.a.) is that Jibril (a.s.) raised the call to prayer.  The angels descended from Heaven.  Allah (s.w.t.) Gathered all the Messengers and prophets.  Then, the Prophet (s.a.w.) prayed as the leader of the angels and Messengers.  When he left, Jibril (a.s.) asked him, “O Muhammad, do you know who prayed behind you?”  He said no.  Jibril (a.s.) said, “Every single prophet whom Allah has ever Sent.” 

Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah ‘Abd ar-Rahman ibn Sakhr ad-Dawsi az-Zahrani al-Azdi’s (r.a.) narration, related by Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah al-Hakim an-Nishaburi (r.a.) who declared it sound, and by Imam Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn Husayn al-Bayhaqi (r.a.), stated that then the Prophet (s.a.w.) met the spirits of the prophets.  They glorified their Lord, after which Ibrahim (a.s.) said, “Praise to Allah Who has Taken me as His intimate friend, Who has Given me an immense kingdom, Who has Made me a prayerful ummah and one by whom prayer is led, Who has Rescued me from the fire and made it cool and safe for me!” 

Then, Musa (a.s.) glorified his Lord and said, “Praise be to Allah Who has Spoken to me directly, Who has Brought to pass the destruction of Pharaoh and the Salvation of the Children of Israel at my hands, and Who has Made, from among my ummah, a people who guide others through truth and establish justice upon it!” 

Then, Dawud (a.s.) glorified his Lord and said, “Praise be to Allah Who has Brought me an immense kingdom, Who has Softened iron for my hands, and Subjected to me the mountains and the birds which laud Him, and has Given me wisdom and unmistakable judgement in my speech!” 

Then, Sulayman (a.s.) glorified his Lord and said, “Praise be to Allah Who has Subjected the winds to my command as well as the devils, so that they did as I wished and constructed for me elevated sanctuaries, images, large bowls the size of ponds, and vessels fixed in their spot due to their size, Who has Taught me the language of birds and has Brought me a part of every good thing, Who has Subjected to me the armies of the devils and the birds and has Preferred me over many of His believing servants, Who has Brought me an immense kingdom which no one after me may possess, and Who has Made my kingdom a goodly one wherein there is no reckoning nor punishment!” 

Then, ‘Isa ibn Maryam (a.s.) glorified his Lord and said, “Praise be to Allah Who has Made me His Word, Who has Fashioned me after Adam’s likeness whom He Created out of earth then Said to him, ‘Be’, and he was, Who has Taught me the Book and the Wisdom and the Torah and the Evangel, Who has Caused me to heal the blind and the leper and to raise the dead by Allah’s Permission, Who has Raised me and Cleansed me and Granted my mother and I Protection against the cursed devil, so that the devil had no path by which to harm us!” 

Every prophet then glorified his Lord in the best of language, and the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “All of you have glorified their Lord, and I am going to glorify my Lord also: 

Praise Belongs to Allah Who has Sent me, a mercy to the worlds,

Sent to all without exception, a bearer of glad tidings and a warner,

Who has Caused to descend upon me the Qur’an in which there is a perfect exposition of all things,

Who has Made my ummah the best ummah ever brought out for the benefit of mankind,

Who has Made my ummah a means and a middle,

Who has Made my ummah, in truth, the first and the last of all umam,

Who has Expanded my breast and has Relieved me of my burden,

Who has Exalted my name,

And has Made me the Opener and the Sealer!” 

Upon hearing this, Ibrahim (a.s.) said, “In this has Muhammad bested you!”