Question Summary:
Which level was Adam (Alayhi al- Salam) in?

Question Detail:

This question has been on my mind for a while. I remember reading in a Hadith that the prophet Muhammad SAW ascended to heaven and met the previous prophets before him in each heaven as he went up. If I am not wrong Adam PBUH was in the first level and then each prophet other prophet was in a level higher. My question is for us normal people, who commit sin and good, but do our best, how are we ever going to reach Jannatul Firdous? If we did wouldn’t that mean we are better than the prophets in the lower heavens? I say with the utmost respect to them.

 
Does the fact that we are born Muslim, to Muslim parents and are followers of the prophet Muhammad SAW mean anything in that we are favored by god over others and especially that we live very comfortably today with everything we could need. I’m worried that because I am not poor and live so comfortably I will be punished more than a poor person who has nothing.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
1.      The incident you refer to is mentioned in a narration recorded in Bukhari Shareef.[1] This incident was on the occasion of Mi’raaj (physical ascension to the heavens). The respective places where Nabi had met with the different Prophets is not the final abode of these Prophets. This is an incident that has taken place before the Day of Judgment. Only after the Day of Judgment will every individual come to realize his or her final abode.
 
Despite our innumerable amount of shortcomings and deficiencies we should always have hope in the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala. Nabi salallāhu ’alayhi wasallam has instructed us that we make Dua for Jannah and that too the loftiest stages of Jannah known as Jannatul Firdaus.[2] Allah Ta’ala is the Supreme Being. For him to forgive his sinful slaves is completely upon His will. By forgiving His sinful slaves no amount of loss will affect Allah Ta’ala even in the least bit.
 
2.      Definitely this Ummah whose Prophet salallāhu ’alayhi wasallam is the most beloved in the sight Allah, does have extra virtue. There are many signs to indicate this virtue. For example the night of Qadr. The worship an individual does in this night is equal to the worship of a thousand nights. In the past previous nations would be engaged in worship for these extended periods of time. Whereas our Ummah gains the same reward by worship in a fraction of that time. The Salaah which has been ordained upon us. Initially 50 salaah were ordained, but through the mercy of Allah Ta’ala upon this Ummah we gain the reward of these 50 salaah by only praying five times a day.
 
Your wealth is a blessing from Allah Ta’ala not a burden. You should use your wealth according to the ordains of Allah and to gain the proximity of Allah Ta’ala. Constantly express your gratitude to Allah Ta’ala for his bounties upon you. Inshallah if you do this you will be greatly rewarded and counted amongst the Ever Grateful servants (Shaakireen) of Allah.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Ali bin Cassim,
Student Darul Iftaa
Los Angeles, U.S.A
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.