Answer

Ja`far At-Talhawi

14 February, 2023

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

In this fatwa:

• Prophet Muhammad has a very special status among all prophets and messengers of Allah.
• It is no wonder that he led all the prophets and messengers in Prayer on the night of Al-Israa and Al-Miraj.

Responding to the question, the prominent Al-Azhar scholar Dr. Ja`far Ahmad At-Tahlawi states:

The fact that Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) let Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lead all the prophets in Prayer in Al-Aqsa Mosque on the night of the Prophet’s Ascension has much significance.

1. All the prophets who were sent to the Children of Israel, including Musa (Moses), willingly submitted to be guided and led by the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet said, “If Musa ibn Imran were resurrected among you now, he would just follow me.” (Ahmad)
2. It is an indication that sovereignty over that holy land and the surrounding places should be restricted to the Muslims who, in turn, should accept no bargaining, nor should they show any relinquishment regarding this issue.
3. It indicates close connection between the Sacred Mosque and Al-Aqsa Mosque. So whoever honors the sanctity of the Sacred Mosque and observes establishing its rituals should also endeavor to establish and observe the rituals of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
4. This event indicates the preference given by Allah to Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets, over all other prophets. Almighty Allah says: {Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others .} (Al-Baqarah 2:253), {… And We preferred some of the Prophets above others…} (Al-Israa’ 17:55), and {That is the bounty of Allah; which He gives unto whom He will…} (Al-Jumuah 62:4)

Almighty Allah knows best.

Editor’s note: This fatwa is from Ask the Scholar’s archive and was originally published at an earlier date.