Among Allah’s beautiful names are the First (al-Awwal), the Last (al-Akhir), the Manifest (al-Zahir) and the Hidden (al-Batin). Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) explains why the Prophet ﷺ is also the First, the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden.
“Your Lord is the First, the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden. The Prophet ﷺ is also First, the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden. On the night of the Isra’ and Mi`raj, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was greeted by one of the Prophets as follows: “Peace be upon you, the First One; peace be upon you, the Last One; peace be upon you the Manifest One; peace be upon you, the Hidden One.”
Allah is the First in the absolute sense, but Muhammad is the first in creation. Allah is the Last in the absolute sense, but Muhammad is the last in creation. Allah is the Manifest in the absolute sense, but Muhammad is the most manifest in creation. He is the one who said: “Adam and everyone who came after him will be under by banner on the Day of Resurrection.” Is there anyone who is more manifest than him? Allah is the Hidden in the absolute sense, which is why Abu Bakr al-Siddiq said: “No one knows Allah except Allah.” There is no one more hidden than Muhammad in creation. Only his Lord truly knows him, so he is the Hidden One ﷺ .
He attained all stations of perfection and he has no partner in them. So far is he beyond anyone resembling him.