a prophet, and I was written down as the Seal of the Prophets while Adam was still lying in his clay. (1)

This is comparable to Allah’s having decreed his victory on the Day of Badr. Among the causes of that triumph were his reliance upon his Lord, his supplication, and his earnest entreaty for victory.

In the same way, when Allah decrees the sending of rain, He may make it contingent upon His servants’ beseeching, their prayers, and their humble pleading with Him. Likewise, whatever He decrees of forgiveness, mercy, guidance, or victory may be brought about through supplications—whether offered by the one who receives the favor or by someone else on his behalf. Therefore, it is entirely plausible that the Messiah, after his ascension, asked his Lord to send his brother Muhammad to the world, and that this request was among the causes that led to his Prophetic mission, together with the prayer of his forefather Abraham. Abraham had asked his Lord to send him while still in this world, and for that reason Allah, exalted be He, mentioned it explicitly. The Messiah, on the other hand, made his request only after he had been raised up and taken to the heavens.

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Reflect on the Messiah’s words: “I will not leave you orphans, for I shall come to you soon.” How perfectly this accords with the statement of his brother, Muhammad ibn ʿAbd Allah—may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon them both—“The son of Mary will descend among you as a just judge and an equitable leader; he will slay…"