العروة الوثقى الزيدية - موقع إسلامي يهدف لتعريف الزائر بفكر وتراث المسلمين الزيدية

The Answer

Answer (and Allah is the Granter of success): Allah’s messengers—such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon them, and upon our Prophet and his family)—are the best of humankind absolutely, due to how Allah described and praised them in His Book, such as His saying: “Those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him, and fear none but Allah.” [Al-Ahzab:39] And His saying after mentioning a number of prophets: “And each We preferred over the worlds.” [Al-An‘am] “And We chose them and guided them to a straight path.” [Al-An‘am] “Those are the ones to whom We gave the Book, judgment, and prophethood…” [Al-An‘am:89] “Allah knows best where to place His messages…” [Al-An‘am: 124] “Those messengers—We preferred some of them over others…” [Al-Baqarah:253] and other praises and commendations in the Qur’an. The summary of this is:
1. Conveying Allah’s messages, warning, and giving glad tidings.
2. Compassion and mercy for people in general, as indicated by: “Perhaps you would kill yourself in grief over them if they do not believe in this message.” [Al-Kahf] and “So how could you grieve over a disbelieving people?” [Al-A‘raf] and what, Exalted is He, Allah mentioned in the story of Noah.
3. The utmost level of patience: “So be patient as those of firm resolve among the messengers were patient.” [Al-Ahqaf:35]
4. “They fear Him and fear none but Allah.” [Al-Ahzab:39]
5. Allah gave them the Book and wisdom.
6. Allah selected them, chose them, and preferred them over the worlds—along with other traits and beautiful praise in the Magnificent Qur’an.
7. Allah mentioned them by name in His Noble Book as an honor and glorification.
As for the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him): even if he does not fall short of such qualities, Allah’s messengers and prophets were distinguished by the special virtue of prophethood and messengership.
This is with respect to outward rank. But if what is meant by “more excellent” is “greater in reward,” then there is no way to determine it, because the records of deeds are with Allah-Exalted is He.

Source: Min Thimār al-ʿIlm wa al-Ḥikmah vol.3