Question:
Is it true that in the hereafter all the prophets and messengers will be under the banner of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH??
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Hereafter is a place where each person will be judged for everything that they did by Allah SWT according to their deeds in this world:
- Allah SWT states:
أُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمْ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا ۚ وَاللَّـهُ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ
“Those will have a share of what they have earned, and Allah is swift in account.”
Surah al-Baqarah (202)
According to Imam Abu Hatim as cited by Atha’, what is meant by the above verse is the rewards for the good deeds of a person in this world. (See al-Dur al-Manthur, 1/561)
There is a mention that the Prophet PBUH will hold the banners of praise in the hereafter. This is the advantage given especially to the most honoured creation, the Prophet PBUH:
- From Abu Said RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
وَبِيَدِي لِوَاءُ الحَمْدِ وَلَا فَخْرَ
“The banner of praise will be in my hand on the Day of Resurrection, and it is no boast.”
Sunan al-Tirmizi (3615) [Imam al-Tirmizi evaluates the hadith as hasan]
According to the above question, there is a sahih hadith that state all prophets from the Prophet Adam AS will be under the banner of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. The hadith is narrated by Imam Ahmad in his musnad:
آدَمُ فَمَنْ دُونَهُ تَحْتَ لِوَائِي
“The Prophet Adam and who came after him will be under my banner (in the hereafter).”
Musnad Ahmad (2546)[Syeikh Syu’aib al-Arna’outh evaluate the hadith as hasan li ghairihi. HWile Syeikh Ahmad Syakir state the sanad of this hadith is sahih]
Furthermore, Imam al-Tirmizi also narrated that in the hereafter, all prophets will be under the banner of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH:
- From Abu Said RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
وَمَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ يَوْمَئِذٍ آدَمُ فَمَنْ سِوَاهُ إِلَّا تَحْتَ لِوَائِي
“There will not be a Prophet on that day, not Adam nor anyone other than him, except that he will be under my banner.” [Jami’ al-Tirmizi (3615)][Imam al-Tirmizi views this hadith as hassan]
Imam Iz al-Din bin Abdul Slam said in his book, this shows the greatest honour of the Prophet PBUH compared to all other prophets. Thus, there is no other meaning for the advantage except for the special status and eminence of the standing. (See Bidayah al-Sul, 49)
Conclusion
To conclude, there is a sahih hadith that states the Prophet of Muhammad PBUH will bring a banner of praise and all the prophets will be under his banner in the hereafter. Lastly, may Allah SWT make us from among those who are under the banner of our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH. Amin.
Wallahua’lam.