“still lay in his clay form” mean that he was curled up and lying upon the ground as a form made of clay, into which the soul had not yet entered. It has also been narrated that “Allah inscribed his name upon the Throne and upon the gates, domes, and leaves in Paradise.” Several reports have been narrated concerning this, in agreement with these established hadiths, which explain how his name was honoured and his renown exalted at that time.
The wording of the hadith in the Musnad, reported from Maysara al-Fajr, has already been cited: “He was asked, ‘When were you a prophet?’ He replied, ‘While Adam was between soul and body.’” Abū al-Husayn ibn Bishrān also narrated it through Shaykh Abū al-Faraj ibn al-Jawzī in al-Wafā bi-Fadā’il al-Mustafā (The Comprehensive Account of the Virtues of the Chosen One), may Allah bless him and grant him peace: Abū Jaʿfar Muhammad ibn ʿAmr narrated to us; Ahmad ibn Ishāq ibn Sālih narrated to us; Muhammad ibn Sālih narrated to us; Muhammad ibn Sinān al-ʿAwfī narrated to us; Ibrāhīm ibn Tahmān narrated to us, from Yazīd ibn Maysara, from ʿAbd Allāh ibn Sufyān, from Maysara, who said:
“I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, when were you a prophet?’ He replied, ‘When Allah created the earth, turned towards heaven and fashioned them into seven heavens, and created the Throne, He inscribed upon the leg of the Throne: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the Seal of the Prophets. Allah created the Garden in which He settled Adam and Eve, and inscribed my name upon its gates, leaves, domes, and tents, while Adam was between soul and body. When Allah Most High brought him to life, he looked at the Throne and saw my name. Allah informed him: “He is the master of your descendants.” When Satan deceived them both, they repented and sought intercession with Him through my name.’”
Abū Nuʿaym, the hadith master, narrated in his book Dalā’il al-Nubuwwa (Proofs of Prophethood), and through Shaykh Abū al-Faraj: Sulaymān ibn Ahmad narrated to us; Ahmad ibn Rushdīn narrated to us; Ahmad ibn Saʿīd al-Fihrī narrated to us: