I have read that the souls of the believers visit each other during their life in Al-Barzakh, and that those of higher ranks in Paradise will descend to visit their fellows in lower ranks as they will not be entitled to ascend to the others' high ranks. Does this apply to the encounter of the believers in lower ranks with the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, while he is in the highest rank of Paradise?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

Souls after death act in a manner known only by Allaah The Almighty. Some texts, however, give accounts of some of these actions.

What you have mentioned of the descent of the dwellers of high degrees of Paradise to visit those in the lower degrees is a claim which is supported neither by the Quran nor the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition). What is established, however, is that people of Paradise do not feel the difference in degrees. Allaah The Almighty will remove envy and hatred from their hearts, as He Says (what means):

• {And We will remove whatever is in their breasts of resentment, [so they will be] brothers, on thrones facing each other.} [Quran 15:47]

• {And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other. They will say, "Indeed, we were previously among our people fearful [of displeasing Allaah]. So Allaah conferred favor upon us and protected us from the punishment of the scorching Fire. Indeed, we used to supplicate Him before. Indeed, it is He Who is the Beneficent, The Merciful.} [Quran 52:25-28]

The Prophet said: "The first group (of people) who will enter Paradise will be (glittering) like the full moon, and those who will follow them, will glitter like the most brilliant star in the sky, they have neither dispute nor hatred among them." [Al-Bukhari]

It is also established in the Sunnah that the people of Paradise in lower degrees will see those who are above them without envy.

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said: "Indeed, the people of Paradise will see those in chambers of higher degrees of Paradise, as you see the eastern star or the western star that sets in the far horizon, due to their higher degrees.” The Companions said, "Are those the prophets, O Messenger of Allaah?" He said: "No, by Him in Whose Hand is my soul (i.e. Allaah), (they are) people who believed in Allaah and His Messenger and believed His Messengers." [At-Tirmithi: Hasan Saheeh, Al-Albaani: Saheeh]

As for seeing the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in Paradise. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And whoever obeys Allaah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allaah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.} [Quran 4:69]

This verse indicates that whoever wants to be with those people should adhere to obeying Allaah and His Messenger . Al-Qurtubi said in this regard,

“The verse means that they will be with them in the same degree and the same bliss, enjoying the pleasure of seeing and meeting them. It is not because they are equal in degrees, since they are of variant degrees, but they will visit each other because of their following their guidance in this worldly life. All those in it (i.e. Paradise) will be satisfied with their state, and nobody will feel inferior.”

Allaah Knows best.