Speaciality of Name

Chapter on the Speciality of the Master of the Universe

Chapter Two

The Speciality of the Prophet ﷺ: His Blessed Name Written with the Name of Allah ﷻ on the ‘Arsh (Throne) and Throughout the Divine Kingdom

Forgive me for the sake…
Imam Hakim (d. 405 AH) (in al-Mustadrak), Imam Tabarani (d. 360 AH) in Saghir, Imam Abu Nu’aym (d. 430 AH) (in Dala’il al-Nubuwwah), and Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (d. 571 AH) narrate from Sayyiduna ‘Umar Ibn Khattab (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When the apparent lapse of (Sayyiduna) Aadam (عليه السلام) occurred, he requested: ‘O Allah! Forgive me for the sake of Muhammad ﷺ.’”

The chain of this hadith is declared sound (Sahih) by Imam al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak (2:651). Imam al-Hakim also declares sound another version through Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما). Imam al-Subki, Imam Baihaqi, and others have discussed its chain and meaning. Imam Subki’s mention of the narration of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas strengthens the meaning of the hadith narrated by Abdur Rahman ibn Zayd ibn Aslam as it supports its meaning.

To read or discuss the issues related to the lapses of the Noble Prophets (عليهم السلام) except in the recitation of the Qur’an or in narrations of the Hadith, is totally Haraam (forbidden). These lapses are based on thousands of wisdoms and good things. The good deeds of ordinary people have no significance in comparison to the deeds of the Prophets. These lapses are even more superior to the best deeds of the Siddiqeen. As mentioned: حسنات الأبرار سيئات المقربين — ‘Virtuous deeds of the righteous common people are inferior to even the lapses of the Chosen Ones.’ (Bahaar-e-Shari’at)

Allah ﷻ stated: ‘How do you know Muhammad ﷺ?’ He (عليه السلام) said: ‘I lifted my head when You created me with Your Power and You blew a soul from You into me and I saw written on the pillars of the Throne (‘Arsh): “There is no deity except Allah ﷻ, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” I understood that You would only join the name of the most beloved of creation in Your Court to Your Name.’ Allah ﷻ said: ‘O Aadam (عليه السلام)! You are correct. If it was not for Muhammad ﷺ, I would not have created you.’

Similar is mentioned in Tafsir of Imam Qurtubi under Surah 2, Verse: 37, and in the works of Imam Abu Hayyan Andalusi, Imam Thalabi, Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti, Imam Qadhi Iyadh, Imam Bayhaqi, Imam Ibn Jawzi, Imam Ibn Kathir, Imam Salihi Dimishqi, Imam Halabi, Imam Abdullah bin Siddiq Ghumari, Shaykh Mahmud Mamduh, and others. Ibn Taymiyya also cites this narration and considers it sound enough to be a witness for other narrations.

There are other similar narrations which point to this meaning too, such as: “Were it not for Muhammad ﷺ, I would not have created the spheres (al-aflak).” Imam al-‘Ajluni said: its meaning is correct.
Whenever you remember Allah ﷻ
Imam Ibn Asaakir (d. 571 AH) narrates from Sayyiduna Ka’b Ahbar (رضي الله عنه) that Allah ﷻ gave Sayyiduna Aadam (عليه السلام) sticks according to the number of Prophets and Messengers (عليهم السلام). He turned to his son, Sayyiduna Sheeth (عليه السلام) and said: “O my son! After me, you are my Khalifah (successor) so grasp it with piety and a firm knot. Whenever you remember Allah ﷻ, also mention the name of Muhammad ﷺ as I saw his name on the pillars of the Throne (‘Arsh) of Allah ﷻ when I was between soul and soil. Then I was taken around the Heavens and I saw the name of Muhammad ﷺ written in every place. Then my Lord ﷻ granted me residence in Paradise and I saw the name of Muhammad ﷺ on every palace and every room, on the chests of the Heavenly Maidens (Hoor), on the branches of the trees of paradise, on the leaves of the highest tree (Tuba), on the leaves of the lote-tree of the last boundary (Sidrat-ul-Muntaha), on the corners of the veil and in between the eyes of the Angels. So, remember him ﷺ abundantly because the Angels remember him ﷺ all the time.”
Written on the pillars
Imam Ibn ‘Adi (d. 365 AH) and Imam Ibn ‘Asaakir (d. 571 AH) narrate from Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated: “When I was taken on the Journey of Mi’raj, I saw that it was written on the pillars of the ‘Arsh (Throne):”

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللهِ أَيَّدْتُّهُ بِعَلِيٍّ

‘There is no deity except Allah ﷻ, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I supported him through ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه).’
Written on the ‘Arsh (Throne)
Imam Ibn ‘Asaakir (d. 571 AH) narrates from Sayyiduna ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When I was taken on the night journey, I saw that it was written on the ‘Arsh (Throne):”

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللهِ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ عُمَرُ الْفَارُوقُ عُثْمَانُ ذُو النُّورَيْنِ

‘There is no deity except Allah ﷻ, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr is Al-Siddeeq, Umar is Al-Farooq, Uthman is Dhun-Noorayn.’
Written in the Heavens
Imam Abu Ya’la (d. 458 AH), Imam Tabarani (d. 360 AH) in Al-Awsat, Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (d. 571 AH), and Imam Hasan Ibn ‘Arafah (d. 257 AH) narrate from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “I was raised to the heavens during the night in which I was taken on the night journey. Whichever heaven I passed by, I found that it was written upon it: ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeq (رضي الله عنه)’ was written on the other front of me.”
Written in the Heavens (another narration)
Imam Bazzaar (d.292 AH) narrates from Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When I was raised to the Heavens, whichever heaven I passed by, I found written upon it, ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’”
Written on the green veils of the ‘Arsh
Imam Daara-Qutni (d. 385 AH), Imam Khateeb (d. 463 AH), and Imam Ibn ‘Asaakir (d. 571 AH) narrate from Sayyiduna Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “On the night I was taken on the night journey, I saw green veils on the ‘Arsh (Throne), on which was written with illuminated white letters:”

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللهِ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ عُمَرُ الْفَارُوقُ

‘There is no deity except Allah ﷻ, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Abu Bakr is Al-Siddeeq, Umar is Al-Farooq.’
Written on the doors of Paradise
Imam Ibn Asaakir (d. 571 AH) narrates from Sayyiduna Jabir (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “It is written on the doors of Paradise:”

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله

‘There is no deity except Allah ﷻ, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’
Written on the leaves of the trees of Paradise
Imam Abu Nu’aym (d. 430 AH) in his book ‘Al-Hilyah’ narrates from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There is no tree in Paradise without a leaf that does not have written on it:”

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله

‘There is no deity except Allah ﷻ, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’
Written on the ‘Arsh (Throne) upon water
Imam Hakim (d. 405 AH) narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) and classed the narration as authentic that Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas said: “Allah ﷻ revealed to Sayyiduna ‘Isa (عليه السلام), stating, ‘Believe in Muhammad ﷺ and command whomsoever from your nation reaches him that they believe in him. If it was not for Muhammad ﷺ, I would not have created Aadam (عليه السلام), nor Paradise and nor Hell. When I created the ‘Arsh (Throne) upon water, it shook. So, I wrote upon it:”

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله

‘There is no deity except Allah ﷻ, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It stopped.’”

Imam Al-Dhahabi stated that there is ‘Amr Ibn Aws in its chain who is unknown.
Written between the shoulders of Aadam (عليه السلام)
Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (d. 571 AH) narrates through a chain of Sayyiduna Abu Zubair (رضي الله عنه) from Sayyiduna Jabir (رضي الله عنه) who stated: “It was written between the shoulders of Aadam (عليه السلام):”

مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللهِ خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ

‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the Seal of the Prophets ﷺ.’