Islam Question and Answer - The reason why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) led the other Prophets in prayer during the Isra’ (Night Journey)

 

The reason why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) led the other Prophets in prayer during the Isra’ (Night Journey)

What is the reason why the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) led the other prophets in prayer on the night of the Isra’? What does this indicate?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

The reason why the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) was made to go forward to lead the other Prophets in
prayer in al-Masjid al-Aqsa, which is the home of the Prophets from
Ibraaheem al-Khaleel (peace be upon him) is that our Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the greatest leader, as was
stated by al-Haafiz ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) at the
beginning of his commentary on Soorat al-Isra’. He also said, when
discussing how the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
led the other Prophets in prayer: “Then his honourable status and
superiority to them was manifested when he was made to go forward to lead
them in prayer, when Jibreel (peace be upon him) indicated to him that he
should do so.” 

Undoubtedly our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) is the foremost among the Prophets. He (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I will be the leader of the sons of
Adam on the Day of Resurrection and the first for whom the grave will be
opened and the first to intercede and the first whose intercession will be
accepted.”

Narrated by Muslim, 2278. 

One of the scholars suggested another reason why he
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was made to go forward to lead
the Prophets in prayer. He said: The Prophet’s words, “I led them (in
prayer)” indicate – and Allaah knows best – that this ummah took over the
position of leading mankind.  

And Allaah knows best.