Q: Is the following correct?
Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had two journeys in his life: One was Isra wal Meraj to the heavens and the other Hijrah, Makkah to Madinah. In both journeys - he had a companion.
In Meraj - Jibraeel (alaihis salaam)
In Hijrah - Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu)
In Meraj, there came a stage, when Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) said, "Ya Rasoolallah - from here you are on your own. If I put a step forward I will burn."
Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) *NEVER* left Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Had Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) been with Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), he would have said... " Ya Rasoolallah - I am not staying back, I am with you - even if I burn".
As far as I learnt, angels can't go against the command of Allah. Does this show Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) to be better than Jibraeel (alaihis salaam)? Did Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) leave and abandon Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)?
A: There is no question of Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) burning. So there was no reason for him not to join Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). These types of comparisons are not at all encouraged. It is just mere speculation. Ulama are all unanimous that Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) is the greatest after the Ambiyaa (alaihimus salaam). And Jibreel (alaihis salaam) is greater than all mankind after the Ambiyaa.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
وخواص الملائكة أفضل من عوام البشر أي غير الأنبياء (شرح المقاصد 5/65)
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