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It is my understanding that Muhammad never considered himself to be greater than any other prophet. The only distinction is that Muhammad is the last of the prophets.
"Allah did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of 'Imran above all people"
This shows that there is a wisdom behind why a prophet came before another, behind why a prophet was sent here and not there, or there and not here.
"Now hath come unto you an Messenger from amongst yourselves: it grieves him that ye should perish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful. But if they turn away, Say: "(Allah) sufficeth me: there is no god but He: On Him is my trust,- He the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme!" "
These verses clearly indicate the superiority of Muhammad over all prophets.
In addition, there's not just the Qur'an in Islam. There are the sayings of Muhammad (Hadiths). Muhammad said:
"Never has the sun risen or set on a person, other than a prophet, greater than Abu Bakr."
Abu Bakr (may God be well pleased with him) was the closest Companion of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). So if Abu Bakr is the greatest after the prophets, then among the prophets Muhammad is the greatest.
Muhammad said:
"I am the master of the sons of Adam, and I say this without pride."
and
"I was a prophet when Adam was between water and clay."
So Muhammad clearly talked of his superiority over other prophets.
Moreover, there are not just the Qur'an and the Hadiths. there are the saints of Islam, 124 000 saints of Islam after Muhammad and his Companions until today in 2014. It is forbidden to Muslims to read the Qur'an and the Hadiths and understand them as they are read. They must go to the saints of Islam. They have the authority to explain the meanings of the Qur'an and the Hadiths, and to explain the worship. The saints of Islam taught about the ultimate superiority of Muhammad over all 124 000 prophets (peace be upon him and his family).
Finally, there is the Traditional Islamic Knowledge. We know from it the absolute superiority of Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family.
Irosie91,
The Qur'an existed from before eternity, and was revealed to Muhammad step by step during his lifetime, peace be upon him and his family.