Observations on the rank of the Prophet (saws) by Imam al-Sakhawi

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3 beautiful observations on the rank of the Prophet (saws) by Imam al-Sakhawi on the verse: 

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

“Indeed, Allah showers His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O believers! Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him, and salute him with worthy greetings of peace” (33:56).

  1. Allah uses the present tense verb ‘يصلون’ (send peace/blessings) which signifies longevity and continuity, indicating Allah and the angels will send peace and blessings upon the Prophet (saws) forever.
  1. In this verse, Allah praises the Prophet (saws) whilst the angels and believers are likewise commanded to send peace & blessings. Hence, *both* the heavenly abode and the lowest world engage in praise of the Prophet (saws).
  1. Finally, the number of angels is unknown though in an authentic hadith, the Prophet (saws) said; ‘Every day, 70,000 angels pray in al-Bayt al-Ma’mur (the frequented house) and when they leave, they never return again’ (al-Bukhari). In another hadith, ‘there is not a space of 4 fingers in the heavens except that an angel is prostrating’ (al-Tirmidhi). 

Imam al-Sakhawi says; ‘It is known that ALL the angels send blessings upon the Prophet (saws) however and wherever they are…’ (1/96). Just based on this point, we cannot fathom the virtue and supreme rank of the blessed Rasul (saws).

اللهم صلِّ وسلم على سيدنا محمد في الأولين وفي الآخرين، وفي كل وقت وحين، وفي الملأ الأعلى إلى يوم الدين