Characteristics of Prophets and Messengers; P.3.
Selections from the Book ‘’Lot (peace be upon him) and his Mission in Confronting Corruption and Sexual Deviance’’ …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (15)
- Their eyes sleep but their hearts do not sleep:
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported in the Hadith of the Night Journey: "for the eyes of the Prophet were closed when he was asleep, but his heart was not asleep. This is characteristic of all the prophets: Their eyes sleep but their hearts do not sleep''.
It is authentically reported from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: "Indeed, we, the assembly of prophets, sleep while our eyes sleep, but our hearts remain awake". This characteristic establishes that the visions of the prophets are true and are followed by revelation.
- Their choice upon death:
On the authority of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, she said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him) say: “There is no Prophet who fell sick but he was given the choice between this world and the Hereafter”. She said: ''When he became sick with the illness that would be his last, (his voice) became hoarse and I heard him say: 'In the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His grace, of the Prophets, the true believers, the martyrs, and the righteous’’.
- The Prophet is buried where he dies:
It is authentically reported from him (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him) that he said: “A Prophet is not to be buried except where he died”. That is why the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) buried the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him) in the room of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), where he was arrested.
- The earth does not consume the bodies of the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them):
Allah the Almighty honored His prophets and messengers (peace and blessings be upon them), so no matter how much time passes, their bodies remain preserved from decay. This is confirmed by the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): "Indeed, Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the prophets".
- Alive in their graves:
It was authentically reported from him (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him) that he said: “The prophets are alive in their graves, praying”. It was also proven from him (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him) that he said: “ I happened to pass by Moses on the occasion of the Night journey near the red mound (and found him) saying his prayer in his grave”.
As for the nature of this life, it is a matter of the unseen, beyond the realm of human reason. Since it has been authentically reported by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), it must be believed without questioning its nature. However, we believe it is a life in the Barzakh (the period between death and the Day of Resurrection), which is different from the life they lived in this world. Therefore, it is not permissible to ask them for help at their graves or to seek aid from them, as they can neither benefit nor harm. Allah Almighty says: {And do not invoke besides Allah that which neither benefits you nor harms you,} [Yunus: 106].
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, Lot (peace be upon him) and his Mission in Confronting Corruption and Sexual Deviance, pp. 72-74.
- Classes, Muhammad bin Saad bin Muni’ al-Zuhri, edited by: Ali Muhammad Omar, Al-Khanji Printing Library, Cairo, 1st edition, 1421 AH, 2001 AD, 1/171; See: Series of Authentic Hadiths, Al-Albani, Al-Ma’arif Library for Publishing and Distribution, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1415 AH - 1995 AD, No. 1705.
- Educational Pauses in the Light of the Holy Qur’an, Abdul Aziz Nasser Al-Jalil, 3/33-34.
- Sahih Al-Jami’ Al-Saghir and its addition Al-Fath Al-Kabir, Al-Albani, No. 5201.
- The Series of Authentic Hadiths, Al-Albani, No. 621.
- Sahih Sunan Abi Dawud, Al-Albani, Dar Al-Maaref for Publishing and Distribution, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1st edition, 1419 AH, 1998 AD, No. 925.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of ‘’Lot (peace be upon him) and his Mission in Confronting Corruption and Sexual Deviance’’ on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
