What is the ruling on one who rejects the statement "Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the noblest of Allah's creation" and cites the saying of Allah the Exalted: "And He creates what you do not know"?
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The questioner : One of the professors at the university says: that our saying about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "the noblest of Allah's creation" is not correct, and that this is one of the expressions of Sufism. He cited the saying of Allah the Exalted: [An-Nahl 16:8] He says: We do not count the creation of Allah the Exalted to the extent that we claim that our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is among the noblest of them?
The Shaykh : It is well-known among many scholars to use this expression that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best of creation, as the poet said:
"And the best of creation absolutely *** is our Prophet, so be weary of discord"
But the most cautious and safest thing is for us to say: Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the master of the children of Adam, the best of humans, the best of the prophets, and the like of that, following what came in the text. And I have not known up to this moment that it came that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best of creation absolutely in everything.
As for citing the verse:[An-Nahl 16:8] it is not in its proper place, because this verse is about riding animals. Allah the Exalted said: [An-Nahl 16:8] meaning: from what you ride. And He also creates what we do not know from other than what we ride. But citing this verse to prove that He may create a creation better than Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is questionable. The safest thing is for a person in these matters to seek what came in the text.
For example, if someone said: Did Allah prefer the children of Adam over all created things? The children of Adam in general, yes? No, it is not correct, because Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Isra 17:70] He did not say over everyone We created. So in such generalizations, a person should restrict himself to what came in the text only and not go beyond it.
And praise be to Allah, we know that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the seal of the prophets, the noblest of the messengers, the best of them, and the most honorable of them in the sight of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And he is the seal of the prophets, and the evidence for this is well-known and recognized. As for what has no correct evidence, the precaution is to refrain from it. Yes, as for whether this is from the expressions of the Sufis or non-Sufis, I do not know. Whether the Sufis are the ones who say this or not, but it is well-known among many scholars. You find them saying: Muhammad is the noblest of creation.
And He creates that which you do not know.
وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَThe Shaykh : It is well-known among many scholars to use this expression that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best of creation, as the poet said:
"And the best of creation absolutely *** is our Prophet, so be weary of discord"
But the most cautious and safest thing is for us to say: Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the master of the children of Adam, the best of humans, the best of the prophets, and the like of that, following what came in the text. And I have not known up to this moment that it came that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best of creation absolutely in everything.
As for citing the verse:
And He creates that which you do not know.
وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَAnd [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.
وَالْخَيْلَ وَالْبِغَالَ وَالْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَFor example, if someone said: Did Allah prefer the children of Adam over all created things? The children of Adam in general, yes? No, it is not correct, because Allah the Exalted said:
And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ وَحَمَلْنَاهُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَاهُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَفَضَّلْنَاهُمْ عَلَى كَثِيرٍ مِمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلاًAnd praise be to Allah, we know that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the seal of the prophets, the noblest of the messengers, the best of them, and the most honorable of them in the sight of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And he is the seal of the prophets, and the evidence for this is well-known and recognized. As for what has no correct evidence, the precaution is to refrain from it. Yes, as for whether this is from the expressions of the Sufis or non-Sufis, I do not know. Whether the Sufis are the ones who say this or not, but it is well-known among many scholars. You find them saying: Muhammad is the noblest of creation.