Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Holy Quraan:
وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا (79)
”And during the night, wake up for Salah of Tahajjud , an additional prayer for you. It is very likely that your Lord will place you at Praised Station.” (Al-Israa 17:79)
From amongst the tremendous favors Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) has granted our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) is the Major Intercession on the Day of Qiyaamah (Resurrection). It is one of the blessings of distinction and excellence that is the mark of his excellence over the other Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them all).
The Ulamaa (Scholars) of Quraanic Tafseer (Exegeses) regard the “praiseworthy station” mentioned in the above Aayah (Verse) referring to the Major Intercession that has been singularly reserved for al-Habib (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam). (Aloosi, Ruh al-Ma’aani)
A Praiseworthy Station
Hadhrat Anas related that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllao Alaihe WaSallam) told that the Believers will be kept (waiting) on the Day of Qiyaamah so long that they will become worried and say: “Let us ask somebody to intercede for us with our Lord so that He may relieve us from our place.”
Then they will go to Adam and say: “You are Aadam, the father of the people. Allah created you with His Own Hand and made you reside in His Jannah (Paradise) and ordered His angels to prostrate before you, and taught you the names of all things. Will you intercede for us with your Lord so that He may relieve us from this place of ours?”
Adam will say: “I am not fit for this undertaking.”
He will mention his error which he committed, i.e., his eating off the tree though he had been forbidden to do so. He will add: “Go to Nooh, the first prophet sent by Allah to the people of the Earth.”
The people will go to Nooh who will say: “I am not fit for this undertaking.”
He will mention his error which he committed, i.e., his asking his Lord without knowledge. He will say (to them): “Go to Ibraheem, Khalil ar-Rahman.”
They will go to Ibraheem who will say: “I am not fit for this undertaking.”
He would mention three words by which he was evasive, and say (to them).
“Go to Moosaa, a slave whom Allah gave the Tauraat (Torah) and spoke to directly and brought near Him, for conversation.”
They will go to Moosaa who will say: “I am not fit for this undertaking.”
He will mention his error which he committed, i.e., killing a person, and will say (to them): “Go to Eesaa, Allah’s slave and His messenger, and a soul created by Him and His Word ‘Be. And it is’”.
They will go to Eesaa who will say: “I am not fit for this undertaking but you’d better go to Muhammad the slave whose past and future sins have been forgiven by Allah.”
So they will go to Prophet Muhmmad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) and will request him.
The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said, in the narration by Hadhrat Anas: “I will ask my Lord’s permission to enter His presence and then I will be permitted. When I see Him I will fall down in Sajdah (Prostration) before Him, and He will leave me (in Sajdah) as long as He wills, and then He will say: ‘O Muhammad! Lift up your head and speak, for you will be listened to, and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted, and ask (for anything) for it will be granted’. Then I will raise my head and glorify my Lord with certain praises which He has taught me. Allah will put a limit for me (to intercede for a certain type of people) I will take them out and make them enter Jannah.”
Qataadah told that he heard Hadhrat Anas informing that the Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “I will go out and take them out of Jahannum (Hell-Fire) and let them enter Jannah, and then I will return and ask my Lord for permission to enter His presence and I will be permitted.”
The narrator then recited the above Aayah of Quraan i.e. 79th Aayah of Soorah Al-Israa (Chapter 17):
“It may be that your Lord will raise you to a Station of Praise and Glory.
The narrator added that this is the Station of Praise and Glory which Allah has promised to your Prophet. (Kitaab at-Tawheed, Sahih al-Bukhari)