The Essence of Islam – Volume I — Page 238
238 Essence of Islam-1 wall of Prophethood, is Muhammad, the chosen one [peace and blessings of Allah be on him]. . . . The point of the highest exaltation of that good personified, who is situated at the highest point of the spiritual line, that is to say, Muhammad, the chosen one [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] which had been determined for him by Divine decree, has been exhibited palpably in the world of manifestation. As God has said with reference to the high dignity of this great Prophet: وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَهُمْ دَرَجَتٍ 138 By this exaltation in rank is meant the highest point of the spiritual line which has been bestowed upon the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] overtly and covertly. This benign being, who is good personified, is higher and more perfect than the three types of God's favourites and is called the perfect manifestation of God- head. The three types of nearness to the Divine are illustrated by three resemblances; by pondering on these the reality of the three grades of nearness can be appreciated. The first type of nearness is illustrated by its resemblance to the relationship between servant and master as God has said: وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِلَّهِ 139 This means that the believers, who in other words can be called obedient servants, love their Lord above every- thing else. Just as a sincere and faithful servant, by witnessing the 138 'Some of them He exalted by degrees of rank. ' al-Baqarah, 2:254 [Publisher] 139 al-Baqarah, 2:166 [Publisher]