Muhammad is dead. But
Jesus is alive. Doesn't that mean that Jesus Is superior to
Muhammad?
Muslims believe that Jesus and Muhammad were
both prophets and messengers of Allah. Peace be upon both of them. Muslims
will not belittle any of God's prophets or reject their message. The
Qur'an tells us to declare our faith in all of the prophets including
Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, and that we should make no distinction among
them (see Qur'an 2:136; 3:84; 2:285). This means that since each of them
preached the true message of God, it would be wrong to say we believe in
some but not in others.
The prophets themselves were humble
servants of God. They did not try to prove themselves superior to others.
It would be wrong for their followers to argue over who is superior. Once
a Muslim and a Jew were arguing. The Muslim said that Muhammad is superior
over all the people. The Jew said that Moses is superior over all the
people. When this was related to the prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace,
he said: Do not give me superiority over Moses (This is recorded in
Sahih al-Bukhari, vol.4, p.410, Arabic- English edition). He also said
"None should say that I am better than Jonah, son of Matta" (ibid,
p.413). He also instructed,"Do not give superiority to any prophet
among Allah's prophets" (ibid, p.414).
Once the prophet was asked,
"Who is the most honorable among the people?" He replied, "The most
God-fearing". When he was asked to name a specific individual, he
replied: The most honorable person is Joseph (i.e. the son of Jacob)
(ibid, p.390).
This humility was shared by other prophets too. The
prophet Jesus, on whom be peace, is reported to have said: I tell you
the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater
than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11).
But John the Baptist was
also humble. He did not claim that greatness for himself. He spoke of a
greater one who was to come after him. He is quoted as saying: After me
will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not
worthy to stoop down and untie (Mark 1:7).
When God sent the angel
Gabriel to take the prophet Muhammad to the Aqsa Mosque one night, the
prophet, on whom be peace, led the prayers there, and the other prophets
followed his lead. He also related the truth that on the Day of Judgement
he will lead the banner of Praise under which will be all the other
prophets. But the prophet Muhammad did not boast about this. He instructed
Muslims that they should not praise him as the people praised Jesus, son
of Mary. He said: Call me a slave of Allah and His Messenger (Bukhari,
vol.4, p.435).
What is important is not to try and prove one
prophet superior over another, but to believe in both of them. The prophet
Muhammad, on whom be peace, said: If a man believes in Jesus and then
believes in me, he will get a double reward (ibid.
p.435). |