Table of Contents

• 1. **Introduction to Noor-e-Muhammadi (The Light of Muhammad)**
  – The Creation of Noor-e-Muhammadi
  – The Superiority of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
  – Imam Ali’s Statement on the Excellence of the Prophet
• 2. **The Unique Attributes of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)**
  – Reflection of Divine Perfection
  – The Prophet’s Matchless Beauty and Character
  – Poetic Exaltation of the Prophet’s Virtues
• 3. **Pre-Creation Status of the Beloved Prophet (PBUH)**
  – The Timeless Connection Between the Creator and His Beloved
  – The Prophet’s Existence Before the Creation of the Universe
  – Narrations on the Creation of Noor-e-Muhammadi
• 4. **The Process of Creation Through Noor-e-Muhammadi**
  – From Divine Light to the Creation of the Universe
  – Elements of Creation: Throne, Tablet, Pen, and More
  – The Role of the Prophet’s Noor in the Formation of All Beings
• 5. **Chronology of Noor-e-Muhammadi**
  – Pre-Existence Timeline
  – Narrations on the Timeframe of Creation
  – Differing Narrations on the Age of Noor-e-Muhammadi
• 6. **Manifestation of Noor-e-Muhammadi in the Lineage of Purity**
  – Transition Through Sacred Lineages
  – Arrival in the Womb of Hazrat Amina (RA)
• 7. **Significance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Divine Plans**
  – The Prophet as the Pinnacle of Creation
  – Divine Names and Their Association with the Prophet
  – The Role of the Prophet’s Name in Seeking Forgiveness
• 8. **The Prophetic Mission and Divine Decrees**
  – The First Prophet in Creation and the Last in Prophethood
  – The Testimony of Scriptures and Previous Prophets
  – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the Fulfillment of Divine Purpose

The creation of the Light of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the beloved of Allah and the Seal of Prophets, Muhammad Mustafa (Peace Be Upon Him), stands as the epitome of divine creation. No other being in existence is granted superiority or excellence over him in any respect. He is the most exalted, superior, and sublime among all creation.

In Usul al-Kafi, it is narrated that Amir al-Mu’minin, Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him), said:
“Allah has not created anything better than Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).”

When asked whether the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was the leader of the children of Adam, Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) replied:
“He is the leader of all creation. Allah has not created any being superior to him.”

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is incomparable, and no one can match his stature. Allah, the Creator of the universe and the Most Magnificent, made him His beloved and created him according to the divine standard of perfection. It is evident that the nature of the Creator is reflected in His creation. Since Allah is supremely exalted and flawless, the standard of His creation is equally sublime and free of all imperfections. This divine perfection is mirrored in the beauty and character of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), compelling the tongue to exclaim:
“He reached the highest realms with his perfection,
He tore apart the veil of darkness with his beauty,
All his noble attributes are flawless—
Send salutations upon him and his family.”

He attained the pinnacle of excellence through his perfection, dispelled darkness through his radiance, and embodied the finest qualities. May blessings and peace be upon him and his pure family.

How long can one endure separation from a beloved? If it were within one’s power, not even for a moment! Then how could the Eternal Lord, the Creator of the universe, wait until Rabi’ al-Awwal of the Year of the Elephant (570 CE) for His beloved? Reason refuses to accept this, and it is not true. Indeed, Allah created the Light of His beloved (Peace Be Upon Him) long before the universe. Through this Light, the cosmos was brought into existence.

According to Genesis, Aja’ib al-Qasas, Siraj al-Qulub, and Ara’is Tha’labi, it is recorded that Allah Almighty first created a luminous green pearl, referred to as the Sacred Light of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Casting upon it a gaze of awe, it was transformed into water. From this water, Allah created the Throne (Arsh), the Pen (Qalam), the Tablet (Lawh), the heavens and the earth, the sun and the moon, Paradise and Hell, night and day, angels and jinn, and countless other entities. Thus, the Sacred Light was the first creation, through which all other beings were brought into existence.

According to some narrations, this light was created 900,000 years before the creation of Prophet Adam (Peace Be Upon Him). Other traditions suggest it was created 400,000 to 500,000 years prior.

This exalted creation, a reflection of Allah’s grandeur, marks the beginning of all existence and the ultimate perfection of creation.

The Sacred Light of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)

The Sacred Light of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) transitioned through the purest lineages and most sanctified wombs, finally settling in the loins of Abdullah bin Abd al-Muttalib. From there, it emerged into the human form through the blessed womb of Lady Amina bint Wahb. Renowned scholar Allama Najm al-Hasan Kararvi states in Tarikh-e-Islam that the Creator of the Universe, in His infinite magnificence and perfection, manifested the Light of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as His first and most unparalleled creation. This Light embodies the perfection and beauty of the Divine Essence, incomparable and unparalleled, free from any semblance or shadow.

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) himself said:
“The first thing Allah created was my light” (أَوَّلُ مَا خَلَقَ الله نوري).

This Light, being a manifestation of Divine perfection, was likened in traditions to the rays emerging from the sun. It was ordered into prostration, where it remained in submission for a hundred years. Referring to this, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) stated:
“I am the first of worshippers” (فَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْعَبدِينَ).

Allama Majlisi narrates in Hayat al-Qulub that this event predates the creation of the universe by 424,000 years. On the other hand, Allama `Abd al-Wahid Hanafi, in Aja’ib al-Qasas, places it at 900,000 years before the creation of the world.

This Sacred Light was veiled in Divine mystery for countless eons, continuously glorifying and praising the Almighty. According to Ara’is al-Majalis by Tha’labi and Hayat al-Qulub by Allama Majlisi, after the creation of the universe, Allah transferred this Sacred Light beneath the Supreme Throne (Arsh-e-Azam), where it worshipped for 73,000 years. It was then moved to Paradise, where it continued its devotion for 70,000 years. Subsequently, it was elevated to the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary (Sidrat al-Muntaha) for another 70,000 years of worship. From there, it descended through the seven heavens until it reached the first heaven.

This Sacred Light continued to worship its Creator until the Divine Will necessitated the creation of Prophet Adam (Peace Be Upon Him). When Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) was created, this Sacred Light was placed in his loins.

It is narrated that when the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was asked by his companion Mu’adh, “O Messenger of Allah, where were you before the creation of Adam (Peace Be Upon Him)?” the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) replied:
“We were in the presence of the Throne, glorifying and exalting Allah.”

When further asked about their appearance, he said:
“We were like rays of light. When Allah willed to grant us form, He placed me in the loins of Adam (Peace Be Upon Him), and from there, I continued to transfer from one pure lineage to another. During this journey, no impurity ever touched me.”

Thus, just as the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is the foremost in creation, he is also the first in the rank of Prophethood. As stated in the Hadith:
“I was a Prophet when Adam was still between clay and water.”Translation:

Maysarah al-Fakhr narrates:

I asked the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him), “O Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him)! Since when have you been appointed to the rank of prophethood?” The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) replied, “I was adorned with the attribute of prophethood at the time when Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) was between soul and body,” meaning his noble soul had not yet been united with his blessed body.

It is also narrated from Maysarah that I asked in the sacred court, “O Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him), since when have you existed?” The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
“When Allah, the Lord of Glory, created the earth and intended the heavens, and fashioned them into seven layers, and before that created the Throne, He inscribed on its pillar: ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the Seal of Prophets.’

When He created Paradise, He inscribed my name on its gates, on the leaves of its trees, and on the domes and tents of its dwellers, even though the soul and body of Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) had not yet been united. When Allah united his soul with his body and granted him life, Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) raised his gaze towards the Throne and saw my name inscribed upon it. At that time, Allah informed him:
‘Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the leader of your progeny.’

When Satan deceived Adam (Peace Be Upon Him), he sought forgiveness in the Divine Court and invoked my name as an intercessor, using my name as a means of seeking mercy.”

This same account is narrated by Abu Hurayrah in Tirmidhi and by Abdullah ibn Abbas in al-Tabarani al-Kabir. Ibn Rabee’ states that this narration is recorded by the Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah, including Imam Bukhari in Tarikh, Imam Ahmad in Musnad, and Imam Hakim, who authenticated it. Furthermore, Abu Nu`aym includes it in Dala’il al-Nubuwwah, narrating from Abu Hurayrah in these words:
“I was the first among the Prophets in creation, yet the last to be sent as a Messenger.”

It is noteworthy that the companions (Sahabah) conveyed their questions and the Prophet’s answers, affirming their understanding that the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) existed before the manifestation of the physical elements of the world. This implies that he did not become a prophet at the age of forty or begin to exist forty years earlier. Instead, his existence predates creation, and he was honored with life and prophethood long before.

When the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) validated their understanding, he clarified his noble station and nature by saying,
“I existed before the creation of Adam (Peace Be Upon Him), and I was not merely present but adorned with the crown of life and the robe of prophethood.”

Narration of Abdullah ibn Abbas:

It is narrated that Allah revealed to Prophet `Isa (Peace Be Upon Him):
“Had Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) not existed, I would not have created Adam (Peace Be Upon Him).”

When Allah created the Throne, it trembled in awe of His grandeur and majesty. When Allah inscribed upon it: ‘There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,’ it attained tranquility and stability.

Translation:

The creation of the Noor-e-Muhammadi (the Light of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) marks the advent of the Beloved of Allah, the Seal of Prophets, Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings be upon him), a personality so exalted that no other creation of Allah has any superiority or excellence over him in any respect. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is the pinnacle of all creation, surpassing all in virtue and rank.

In Usul al-Kafi, it is mentioned that Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:
“Allah has not created anything better than Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”

When asked if the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the leader of the children of Adam, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) replied:
“He is the leader of all creation, and Allah has created no one superior to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) is unparalleled and unmatched. The Creator of the Universe, the Supreme Being, and the Greatest, has fashioned him according to His divine standards of greatness. It is a simple reality that the nature of the creation reflects the essence of the creator. Since Allah is Exalted and Pure, His standards are also exalted and free from any flaw, as mirrored in the beauty and character of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This prompts the heart to exclaim:
بَلَغَ الْعُلَى بِكَمَالِهِ
كَشَفَ الدُّجَا بِجَمَالِهِ
حَسُنَتْ جَمِيعُ خِصَالِهِ
صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ

“He reached the pinnacle of perfection with his completeness,
He tore apart the darkness with his beauty,
All his qualities are praiseworthy,
Send blessings upon him and his family.”

He achieved the zenith of excellence through his perfection. With his beauty, he dispelled darkness. His noble character is the epitome of virtue. May countless blessings and peace be upon him and his pure family.

Could a lover ever live without their beloved? If given a choice, perhaps not even for a moment. Then how could the Eternal Lord, the Creator of all worlds, having created the universe, wait until Rabi’ al-Awwal, 570 CE, for His Beloved? This notion is inconceivable and contrary to reason. In truth, Allah created the Noor (Light) of His Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) even before the creation of the universe, and then through this Noor, fashioned the rest of creation.

It is mentioned in various sources such as the Torah, Sifar Awwal, Ajaib al-Qasas, Siraj al-Quloob, and Ara’is Tha’labi that Allah created a green pearl of the sacred Noor-e-Muhammadi. He then cast a gaze of awe upon it, turning it into water. From this water, He created the Throne (Arsh), the Footstool (Kursi), the Tablet (Lauh), the Pen (Qalam), the heavens and the earth, the sun and the moon, Paradise and Hell, day and night, all angels, and all beings, including the jinn.

Thus, Allah first created the Noor of His Beloved and then, through it, brought the rest of creation into existence. According to some narrations, the creation of this Noor-e-Muqaddas predates the creation of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) by nine hundred thousand years, while other narrations state it was created four to five hundred thousand years earlier.