How do we interpret the birth of a blind or physically disabled person, or what happened to Pharaoh’s hairdresser, and are they considered to have a greater affliction than the prophets, peace be upon them?

We do not see a deviation from the principle that prophets are the most afflicted of people. They are the most afflicted in illness, and the Prophet, peace be upon him, was afflicted more than others. Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "I entered upon the Prophet, peace be upon him, and touched him, and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, you are suffering from a severe fever!' He said: 'Yes, I suffer from a fever like two men among you.' I said: 'Is that because you will have two rewards?' He said: 'Yes, no Muslim is afflicted with harm, whether from illness or anything else, but Allah will drop his sins as a tree drops its leaves.'" Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. And in the noble Hadith: "The most afflicted of people are the prophets, then the righteous, then the next best and the next best. A man is tested according to his faith; if his faith is strong, his affliction is severe. If there is weakness in his faith, he is tested according to his faith. Affliction continues with a servant until it leaves him walking on the earth with no sin upon him." Narrated by Imam Ahmad and others, and authenticated by Al-Albani. Thus, the affliction of the prophets is above the affliction of someone born blind or disabled. Allah may honor the blind and the disabled with the advantage of intelligence and knowledge, and a number of Companions, scholars, reciters, and sheikhs were characterized by blindness or disabilities.