Is it true that it is not permissible to prefer one prophet over another by specifying who is preferred?
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Question:
Some people say that it is not permissible to prefer one prophet over another by specifying who is preferred. Is this correct?
Answer:
It is not specified in a particular way. No one has said that this specific person is preferred over that specific person. Our Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best of the prophets, and he is specified. After our Prophet, the best of the prophets are the Ulul 'Azm (those of firm resolve). The rest are the best of the prophets. So, it is permissible to prefer one specifically, provided one does not do so out of boasting or belittling the one who is less preferred. That is what is forbidden: preferring one out of boasting and belittling the other. As for preferring one out of gratitude for the blessing and to state the reality, there is nothing wrong with it. And the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 4308Sahih (Darussalam) Yes, and Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Baqarah 2:253] Allah preferred some of the prophets over others by their specific identities; He preferred some of them over others by their specific identities.
And I have told you, how many times, O people, leave off inventing words and things on your own. Follow what the righteous Salaf (the earliest generations) were upon. Study the creed and follow it. Do not answer with your own independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) and your own derivations, for you will go astray and lead people astray. Yes.
Some people say that it is not permissible to prefer one prophet over another by specifying who is preferred. Is this correct?
Answer:
It is not specified in a particular way. No one has said that this specific person is preferred over that specific person. Our Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best of the prophets, and he is specified. After our Prophet, the best of the prophets are the Ulul 'Azm (those of firm resolve). The rest are the best of the prophets. So, it is permissible to prefer one specifically, provided one does not do so out of boasting or belittling the one who is less preferred. That is what is forbidden: preferring one out of boasting and belittling the other. As for preferring one out of gratitude for the blessing and to state the reality, there is nothing wrong with it. And the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
I am the leader of the sons of Adam, and it is no boast
أَنَا سَيِّدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ وَلاَ فَخْرَThose messengers - some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them were those to whom Allah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree. And We gave Jesus, the Son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him with the Pure Spirit.
تِلْكَ الرُّسُلُ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ مِّنْهُم مَّن كَلَّمَ اللَّهُ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَاتٍ وَآتَيْنَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَيَّدْنَاهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِAnd I have told you, how many times, O people, leave off inventing words and things on your own. Follow what the righteous Salaf (the earliest generations) were upon. Study the creed and follow it. Do not answer with your own independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) and your own derivations, for you will go astray and lead people astray. Yes.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، هل صحيح أنه لا يجوز التفضيل بين الأنبياء على وجه التعيين؟ للشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.