Did the Leadership in Prayer with the Prophets Occur Before or After the Ascension?

There is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding whether the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) led the previous prophets in prayer before the ascension to the heavens or after his return from the heavens. The most accepted and strongest opinion is that this event occurred before the ascension.

The Prophet’s (ﷺ) leadership in prayer with the other prophets took place after his arrival at Bayt al-Maqdis and before his ascension (Mi'raj) to the heavens.

According to hadith, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) traveled from Makkah to Bayt al-Maqdis. There, he saw all the previous prophets gathered together and led them in prayer as their Imam. It was after this that he ascended to the heavens with the angel Jibreel (A.S.), marking the second phase of the Night Journey.

Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani (رحمه الله) states that Qadi Iyad mentioned:

“It is possible that the prophets were gathered at Bayt al-Maqdis (for this specific purpose).”

However, the clearest and most authentic view is that the Prophet’s (ﷺ) leadership of the prophets in prayer at Bayt al-Maqdis occurred before his ascension to the heavens.

(Fath al-Bari: 7/209)