"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'I have been given five things that were not given to anyone before me: I have been supported with fear being struck into the hearts of my enemy for a distance of one month's travel; the earth has been made a place of prostration and a means of purification for me, so wherever a man of my Ummah is when the time for prayer comes, let him pray; I have been given the intercession which was not given to any Prophet before me; and I have been sent to all of mankind whereas the Prophets before me were sent to their own people."
The Five Exclusive Honors
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i enumerates five unique distinctions granted exclusively to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that were not bestowed upon any previous prophet.
Victory Through Fear
"I have been supported with fear being struck into the hearts of my enemy for a distance of one month's travel" - This refers to the divine psychological warfare where Allah instilled terror in the hearts of enemies even before physical confrontation, effectively securing Muslim territories.
Earth as Purification
"The earth has been made a place of prostration and a means of purification for me" - This establishes two fundamental rulings: the entire earth is a mosque for prayer, and when water is unavailable, pure earth serves as a valid purification medium through tayammum.
Universal Intercession
"I have been given the intercession which was not given to any Prophet before me" - The Prophet (ﷺ) will receive the Great Intercession on Judgment Day to commence the reckoning, and specific intercessions for his ummah's salvation.
Global Prophethood
"I have been sent to all of mankind whereas the Prophets before me were sent to their own people" - Unlike previous prophets who were sent to specific nations, Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) message is universal and eternal for all humanity until the Final Hour.
Legal Implications
The permission to pray anywhere on earth (except impure places) and the validity of tayammum demonstrate the ease and accessibility of Islamic worship. These rulings are particularly relevant to The Book of Ghusl and Tayammum in Sunan an-Nasa'i.