Adam‟s intermediation through the Beloved Prophet

şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam

The process of intermediation through the Beloved Prophet şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam is a
continuous process and changes in fashion have never been able to hobble its popularity and
effectiveness among the Muslims. It existed before his creation and during his physical life and it
has continued to exist after his worldly demise and will continue to be popular and effective in
future. It was Adam‟s practice to offer the Beloved Prophet şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam as
intermediary to Allah for the forgiveness of his lapses. When he chose the Beloved Prophet
şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam as his intermediator, Allah condoned his act of disobedience. What
could be a greater example of the immediate effectiveness of mediation when it is channelized
through the Beloved Prophet şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam?

at-Tabarānī, al-Bayhaqī, Ibn Ul-Mundhir and as-Suyūtī narrated this tradition through „Umar bin
al-Khattāb and „Alī that the Beloved Prophet şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam said,

Adam was just about to repent for his act of disobedience that he suddenly recalled in his
state of anxiety that he had seen lā ilāha illallāhu Muhammad-ur-rasūlullāh (there is no god
but Allah, Muhammad [şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam] is Allah‟s Messenger) inscribed on the
Throne at the time of his birth.”

It obviously meant that the distinction the Beloved Prophet şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam possesses is
denied to others. That is the reason his name was inscribed along with Allah‟s Own name. At
this, he added these words of intermediation to his prayer for divine forgiveness:

“(O Allah,) I beg Your forgiveness through the mediation of Muhammad [şallAllāhu
álayhi wa sallam].”

The tradition related by Ibn Ul-Mundhir has the following words:

“O Allah, I beg Your forgiveness through Your beloved and most honoured servant
Muhammad [şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam] and through his distinction You have blessed him
with.”1

By the addition of these words of intermediation, the Prophet Adam‟s 'alayhis salam repentance
was accepted immediately.

“Allah said, “In fact, Muhammad is the most beloved of all My creatures. Since you have
intermediated your petition through him, I have granted it. And were it not for
Muhammad, I would not have created you.””

Tabarānī further adds that Allah said, “He is the Last Prophet among your children.”

Imam Hākim has phrased the tradition in these words:

Narrated by „Umar bin al-Khattāb:

1
as-Suyūtī cites in ad-Durr al-Manthūr (1:60).
 “Allah‟s Messenger şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam said: “When Adam committed the error, he
submitted (to Allah): O Lord, I beg You to forgive me through the mediation of
Muhammad [şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam].” Then Allah said: “O Adam! How did you
recognize Muhammad as I have not created him yet?” He replied: “O Lord, when You
created me with Your divine hand and breathed Your soul into me, I raised my head and
saw ‘lā ilāha illallāhu Muhammad-ur-rasūlullāh (there is no god but Allah, Muhammad
[şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam] is Allah‟s Messenger)‟ inscribed on each pillar of the Throne. I
discovered that with Your name, the name of only such a person can be associated who
is Your most beloved of all the creatures.” At this Allah said: “O Adam, you have said it
correctly. Of all the creatures I love him the most. Now when you offered your prayer
through his mediation, I forgave you. And if Muhammad were not there, I would not
have created even you.””2

2
Related by Hākim in al-Mustadrak (2:615)