On this matter, the children of Adam have differed and diverged so greatly that only Allah encompasses the full extent of their differences. Among them is one whom no creature surpasses in honor before Allah, and who is the best of creation. Among them, too, are those who are the worst of creation. The highest state in this regard is that of the two close friends of Allah: Abraham and Muhammad—may Allah bless them both and grant them peace.

Muhammad is the master of the children of Adam, the best of all generations, first and last, the Seal of the Prophets, their leader when they assemble, and their spokesman when they come as a delegation. He is the one who was taken up above all the prophets—Abraham, Moses, and the others.

The best of the prophets after him is Abraham, as established in the Sahīh in a report from Anas, from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Abraham is the best of creation.”

It is also established in Sahīh Muslim, on the authority of Jābir, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say in his Friday sermon:

“The best speech is the speech of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.”

Likewise, ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd used to address people with these words on Thursdays, as al-Bukhārī related in his Sahīh.

It is established in the two Sahīh collections that ʿĀʾishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, never struck a servant of his, a woman, an animal, or anything at all, except when fighting in Allah’s cause. He never avenged any wrong done to him personally, unless Allah’s sacred limits were violated. When Allah’s sacred limits were violated, nothing could withstand his anger until he had exacted retribution for Allah’s sake.”