The very first to step across the threshold of Paradise

والصَّلَاةُ والسَّلاَمُ عَلَى سَيّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَشْرَفِ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيّبِيْنَ الطَّاهِرِيْن

His saliva is sweeter than honey, and his cheeks are more radiant than roses, while his sweat is more fragrant than an-nadd [a type of perfume blended with musk].

His hair resembles strands of gold, and his gait reflects the grace of one descending from a height, exuding strength and vitality, moving with elegance and agility, embodying a powerful stride and an elevated presence above the ground.

A Prophet, for whom the moon cleft asunder into two parts, the tree hastened towards him, and the stone glorified Him within his hand. A Prophet whose command is from Allah, whose obedience is to Allah, and whose allegiance is to Allah. A Prophet who has neither strayed nor gone astray, and who does not speak from whims; rather, he speaks solely according to the revelation revealed to him.

A Prophet whom Allah has named 'nur,' meaning light, and established as a luminous lamp. A Prophet to whom Allah took a covenant from the prophets and honoured with ascension above the seven heavens. A Prophet for whom Allah perfected the religion, completed His grace upon him, and made his followers the finest of nations. A Prophet whom Allah selected, chose, safeguarded, purified, sheltered, supported, and sufficed—granting him victory in every place and being his Guardian.

How could it be otherwise, when he is the wellspring of light, the fountain of secrets, and the leader of the righteous? How could it be otherwise, when he is the most noble of servants, the foremost in devotion? How could it be otherwise, when he is the Beloved of Allah, the master of the children of ‘Adam, the first to intercede and whose intercession is granted, and the first to cross the threshold of Paradise!

O servants of Allah, lighten the burdens of heavy sins from your backs, free your necks from chains and shackles, and yearn for the bliss of the eternal abode of majesty, by invoking blessings upon Muhammad, the Messenger of [Allah] Al-Kabir[1], Al-Muta^al[2].

Muslim narrated in his Sahih from ^Abdu l-Lah ibnu ^Amr ibnu l-^As that the Prophet ﷺ recited the words of Allah ta^ala concerning ‘Ibrahim:

﴿رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ تَبِعَنِي فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي﴾

'O my Lord, indeed they have led astray many among the people; so whoever follows me is verily of me.'

And ^Isa said:

﴿إِنْ تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ وَإِنْ تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ﴾

“If You [Allah] punish them, indeed they are Your servants; and if You forgive them, indeed You are Al-^Aziz[3], Al-Hakim[4].'

He then raised his hands and said, 'O Allah, my nation, my nation,' and he wept. Allah ta^ala said[5]: 'O Jibril, go to Muhammad, and your Lord knows best, and ask him what makes him weep.' So Jibril went to him and inquired, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed him. Allah then said: 'O Jibril, go to Muhammad and say: Indeed, We will please you concerning your nation, and We will not cause you grief.” On the Day of Resurrection, he ﷺ will declare: “I am the first to lead my nation across the Sirat.”

[1] Al-Kabir: He is the Majestic, the Great in status. The phrase 'Allahu ‘Akbar' signifies that Allah is greater than all.

[2] Al-Muta^al: The One who is transcendent beyond the attributes of creation and who subjugates His creation with His perfect and absolute power.

[3] Al-^Aziz: He is the Almighty, who cannot be overcome, for He is indeed dominant over all affairs.

[4] Al-Hakim: He is the Wise, who has perfected the creation of all things as He wills, for He is indeed knowledgeable of the outcomes of all affairs.

[5] The speech of Allah as His attribute is neither a letter nor a sound, and has neither beginning nor end.