While thus far, we have discussed about martyrs and emigrants, the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) status is too high to be enumerated and he (s.a.w.a.) enjoys a rank higher than all martyrs and emigrants put together. Rather, one cannot even compare the elevated status of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) with all mankind and jinn put together.
Some Muslims debate whether the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is alive which is meaningless since apart from his position as a witness among the nation which implies that he is alive, he was also an emigrant and a martyr; in fact all emigration and martyrdom was under his command as the Prophet of the nation.
Are emigrants and martyrs alive?
No Muslim doubts that the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) emigrated. And by consensus of scholars, he (s.a.w.a.) died of poisoning by a Jewish lady in Khaibar as reported by Aaesha and recorded by Bukhaari, Bayhaqi and Jalaaludin al-Suyuti in Al-Haawi Le al-Fataawa (vol. 2 pg 149).
Consequently, the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is more deserving of being alive in the grave than all martyrs and emigrants and he (s.a.w.a.) enjoys divine bounties to a far greater extent; in fact others receive their bounties through him. And when requested, he (s.a.w.a.) most certainly hears the plea and intercedes with Allah for the one seeking intercession.
Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) position as witness in the nation
Prophets (a.s.) are witnesses of their nations and will be brought on the Day of Judgment to bear testimony to the actions of their people.
Regarding the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Allah has emphasized this on more than one occasion:
‘And on the day when We will raise up in every people a witness against them from among themselves, and bring you as a witness against these…’ (Surah Nahl (16): Verse 89)
‘And thus We have made you a medium (just) nation that you may be the bearers of witness to the people and (that) the Apostle may be a bearer of witness to you…’ (Surah Baqarah (2): Verse 143)
‘How will it be, then, when We bring from every people a witness and bring you as a witness against these?’ (Surah Nisa (4): Verse 41)
How is it possible for Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) to bear witness to the actions of the people of his nation when he has passed away?
Quran replies to this:
‘…and now Allah and His Apostle will see your actions, then you shall be brought back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, then He will inform you of what you did.’ (Surah Taubah (9): Verse 94)
‘And say: Work; so Allah will see your work and (so will) His Apostle and the believers; and you shall be brought back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, then He will inform you of what you did.’ (Surah Taubah (9): Verse 105)
It is clear from these verses that the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) who is considered dead and helpless by these Muslims is far from dead and helpless. He is a witness to every action of every person in his nation while he was in their midst and after having passed away and will continue to witness the actions until the Day of Resurrection. Anyone who believes that the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is dead and helpless has in fact denied these verses and the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is a witness to their denial.