A068
Surah: 004 - Ayah: 068
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4:68
Question: In verse (4:68) the obedient mu’mins are mentioned in gradation, after the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. This shows that the righteous are superior to ordinary mu’mins, the martyrs to the righteous, the truthful to the martyrs and the Prophets to the truthful. What then is the reason for the Prophets wanting to be admitted among the righteous after the end of physical life, as can be seen from Hazrat Sulayman’s prayer at the end of his physical life?: "And admit me, by Your mercy, among Your righteous servants." (27:19). See also verses (2:130; 12:101; 16:122; 26:83; 29:9,27).
Answer: There is no doubt that the order in which physical ranks are mentioned in verse (4:48) is correct. The descending order is firstly the Natiqs (nabiyyin), then Asases (siddiqin), then Imams (shuhada’) and finally the Babs (salihin). One should remember that the Bab or gate of every Natiq is the Asas, that of the Asas is the Imam and that of the Imam is the Bab, who is that son of the Imam who will be the heir to the throne of Imamat. This means that Hazrat Sulayman and other Prophets and Imams wanted to live in their respective Bab (salih) so that they could continue to work for the attainment of the final purpose or goal of the salihin (righteous). According to the verses (26:83-84), Hazrat Ibrahim prayed: "O my Lord! Give me (the recognition of) a command ( hukm = the command of Be!) and unite me with the righteous, and appoint for me a tongue of truth among posterity (i.e. the light of Prophethood and the light of Imamat)." From these verses it is clear that by God’s command, Hazrat Ibrahim wished to transfer his light to his Bab, Hazrat Ismacil, who was his Asas so that the light remained linked with the chain of salihin or the Babs who were to come.
This verse has been referred 2 times.