This celebrated and auspicious journey happened just over a year before the Hijra.
The underlying reasoning given by many for the purpose of this "journey to the heavens" has been given as "Bestowing the highest honor of seeing and speaking to ALLAH directly" so as to emphasise the dignity of the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) because such an honor had not graced any other Prophets before him including Prophets Adam, Noah, Moses or Jesus (Peace be upon them all)!
The first years in Makkah were very painful for the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) not only because of the disbelievers all attempts to torture and create trouble for the muslims but also because it grieved our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who held the kindest heart to see these people going around in blind disbelief!
It was under these trying and extenuating circumstances that Almighty ALLAH commanded the arch-angel Jibrail (Peace be upon him) to escort the blessed Prophet (Peace be upon him) to HIM.
The following documents the miraculous and blessed events that occurred during the first leg of the journey- the Isra- the Blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)'s night journey to Jerusalem.
It was the night of the 27th of Rajab. The age of the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was 51 lunar years. He was in the house of Umm-ul-momineen, Umm-e-Haani (Sallim alaiha) which was situated near the Ka'abah in Makkah when the angel Jibrail (Peace be upon him) came to him and informed to him that ALLAH personally wanted to show HIMSELF to HIS Beloved.
Before the Prophet took this night journey, the ceiling of the house in which he was staying was opened, and the angel Jibrail (alaihis salam) descended. He cut open the chest of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and washed that open area with Zamzam water. Then he emptied something from a container into the chest of the Prophet to increase his wisdom as well as the strength of his belief. This was done to prepare the Messenger of ALLAH for that which he had yet to see in the upper world from among the wonders of the creation of ALLAH.
After the Prophet (Peace be upon him) performed the Evening Prayer (Isha'), the angel Jibrail (alaihis salam) came to him with a white animal, slightly larger than a donkey yet smaller than a mule. This animal was the buraaq -one of the animals of Paradise. Jibrail (alaihis salam) held the buraaq by his ear and told the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to mount it. When the buraaq was mounted, the blessed Prophet (Peace be upon him) set forth.
The buraq is a very fast animal; the length of the buraq's stride is the farthest distance it's eye can see. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) and Jibrail (Alaihis salam) arrived to a land with palm trees. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) told the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to dismount and pray, so the Prophet (Peace be upon him) dismounted the buraq and prayed two ark's. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) asked him, "Do you know where you prayed?" and the Prophet answered, "ALLAH knows best." Jibrail (Alaihis salam) told him, "This is Yathrib; this is Taybah. " (These are two names for the city of al-Madinah.) Before the Prophet emigrated to al-Madinah, it was called Taybah and Yathrib. It earned the name al-Madinah after the Prophet (Peace be upon him) emigrated to it.
The buraq continued with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and Jibrail (Alaihis salam) until they reached another place. Again Jibrail (Alaihis salam) requested the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to get down and pray. The Prophet (Peace be upon him)dismounted there and prayed two rak'as. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) informed the Prophet of the name of that place; it was Tur Sina'.
Once again the buraq took off with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and Jibrail (Alaihis salam). Once again it stopped, and the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) dismounted and prayed two ark's. This was in Bayt Lahm, where Prophet 'Isa (Jesus)-peace be upon him- was born. Then the buraq continued with the Messenger of ALLAH until they entered the city of Jerusalem. There the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) went to Masjid al-Aqsa. Outside was a ring used by the Messengers of ALLAH to tie their animals. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) tied his buraq to this ring. Then the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) entered the masjid where ALLAH assembled for him all the Prophets--from Adam to 'Isa (Peace be upon them all). Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) moved forward and led them all in prayer. This was the love of ALLAH in regards to the special place of the blessed Prophet and to announce that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is "the seal of Prophethood" and the "Leader of all Prophet's".
ALLAH enabled the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to see Iblis. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw something on the side of the road which did not dare to stand in his way or speak to him. What the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw was Iblis. Originally, Iblis was a believer and lived with the angels in Paradise. When ALLAH ordered the angels to prostrate (sujud) to Prophet Adam, Iblis was ordered to prostrate to him as well. The angels prostrated to Adam in obedience to ALLAH, because angels do not disobey ALLAH. However, Iblis did not obey, and he objected to the order of ALLAH. He said, "You created me out of fire, and You created him out of clay. How do You order me to prostrate to him?" So this objection by Iblis to the order of ALLAH was the first blasphemy he committed for which he became one of the accursed.
On his journey, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) smelled a very nice odor. He asked Jibrail (Alaihis salam) about this pleasant scent and Jibrail (Alaihis salam) informed him this good smell was coming from the grave of the woman whose duty used to be to comb Pharaoh's daughter's hair. This woman was a good, pious believer. One day, as she was combing Pharaoh's daughter's hair, the comb fell from her hand. At this she said, ""Bismillah. "Pharaoh's daughter asked her, "Do you have a god other than my father?" The woman said, "Yes. My Lord and the Lord of your father is ALLAH." Pharaoh's daughter told her father what had happened. Pharaoh demanded this woman blaspheme and leave Islam, but she refused. At that, Pharaoh threatened to kill her children. He brought a great pot of water and built a great fire under it. When the water boiled, Pharaoh brought her children and started to drop them into that pot one after the other. Throughout all this, the woman remained steadfast to Islam, even when Pharaoh reached her youngest child--a little boy still breast feeding--but she felt pity for him. At that, ALLAH enabled this child to speak. He said to his mother, "O Mother, be patient. The torture of the Hereafter is far more severe than the torture of this life, and do not be reluctant, because you are right." At this the woman requested Pharaoh collect her bones and the bones of her children and bury them in the same grave. Pharaoh promised her that--then dropped her into that boiling water. She died as a martyr. The good odor the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) smelled coming from her grave is an indication of her high status.
During his trip, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw people who were planting and reaping in two days. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) told the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), "These were the people who fight for the sake of ALLAH (mujahidun)."
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) also saw people whose lips and tongues were clipped with scissors made of fire. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) told the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), "These are the speakers of sedition (fitna) who call people to misguidance."
He also saw a bull which exited a very small outlet, then was trying in vain to return through that small outlet. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) told the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), "This is the example of the bad word--once spoken, it cannot be returned."
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw people grazing like animals, with very little clothing on their private parts. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) told the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), "These are the ones who refused to pay zakat. "."
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw angels smashing some people's heads with rocks. These heads would return to the shape they had been, and then the angels would smash their heads again--and so on. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) told the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), "These are the ones whose heads felt too heavy to perform prayer--the ones who used to sleep without praying."
On his journey the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw people who were competing to eat some rotten meat--ignoring meat that was sliced and unspoiled. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) told the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), "These are people from your nation who leave out that which is permissible (halal), and consume that which is forbidden ((haram). "This reference was to the fornicators, that is, the ones who left out the permissible (marriage) and committed sins (fornication).
Also, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw people who were drinking from the fluid coming from the bodies of the fornicators, (water mixed with blood). Jibrail (Alaihis salam) indicated to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) these were the ones who were drinking the alcohol which is prohibited in this world.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw people scratching their faces and chests with brass finger nails. Jibrail (Alaihis salam) said, "These are the examples of those who commit gossip (ghibah).
The second part of the journey was the "Mairaj" which is 'the ascent to the heavens' which entailed the following-
After the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) took this night journey from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, he ascended to the upper heavens. The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ascended to the heaven on stairs, called al-mirqat, in which one step is made of gold and the next of silver, and so on. These stairs are veiled from us. The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ascended these stairs until he reached the first heaven. When the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and Jibrail (Alaihis salam) arrived at the first heaven, Jibrail (Alaihis salam) requested the gate to be opened. The angel assigned to that gate asked Jibrail (Alaihis salam), "Who is with you?" Jibrail (Alaihis salam) answered, "It is Muhammad." The angel asked Jibrail (Alaihis salam), "Was he dispatched? Is it time for him to ascend to the heaven?" Jibrail (Alaihis salam) said, "Yes." So, the gate was opened for him, and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) entered the first heaven.
There, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him). To Adam's right, the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw some bodies, and to Adam’s left, other bodies. If Adam would look to his right he would laugh, and if he would look to his left he would cry. Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) was seeing the souls of his descendants. Those on his right were his descendants who would die as believers and those on his left were his descendants who would die as non-believers.
Then the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ascended to the second heaven. In this second heaven was where Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw Prophets 'Isa and Yahya (Peace be upon them). Prophet's 'Isa and Yahya are cousins; their mothers were sisters. They welcomed the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and made supplication (du^a') for him for good things. The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ascended to the third heaven, where he found Prophet Yusuf (Peace be upon him). Prophet Yusuf (Peace be upon him) was extremely handsome. ALLAH bestowed half the beauty on Prophet Yusuf (Peace be upon him). Prophet Yusuf (Peace be upon him) received the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) with a warm welcome and made supplication (du^a') for him for good things.
Then the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ascended to the fourth heaven, where he found Prophet Idris (Peace be upon him). Prophet Idris (Peace be upon him) welcomed the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and made supplication (du^a') for him for good things. In the fifth heaven, the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) encountered Prophet Harun (Peace be upon him), the brother of Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him). In the sixth heaven, he encountered Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him). Each of these Prophets received Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) with a warm welcome and made supplication (du^a')for him for good things.
Then the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ascended to the seventh heaven, and that is where our Messenger saw Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). Prophet Ibrahim (Peace b upon him) is the best of the prophets after our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) with his back against al-Bayt al-Ma'mur. To the inhabitants of the skies, al-Bayt al-Ma'mur is like the Ka'bah is to us, the inhabitants of the earth. Every day 70,000 angels go there; then exit from it, and never return. The next day another 70,000 angels go, come out, and never return. This will continue until the Day of Judgment. In this, there is an indication as to the greatness of the numbers of the angels--their numbers are far more than the numbers of the humans and the jinns together.
In the seventh heaven, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw Sidrat al-Muntaha--a very big tree of sidr. Each of the fruits of this tree is as large as a big jar. The leaves of this tree are similar to the ears of the elephants. Sidrat al-Muntaha is an extremely beautiful tree. It is visited by butterflies made of gold. When these butterflies gather on this tree, its beauty is beyond description.
Then the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ascended to what is beyond the seven skies; he entered Paradise. He saw examples of the inhabitants of Paradise and how their situation would be. He saw most of the inhabitants of Paradise are the poor people .
The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw other things on the night of his ascension. He saw Malik, the angel in charge of the Hellfire. Malik did not smile at the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) when he saw him, and the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) asked why. In answer to the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)'s question, Jibrail (Alaihis salam) said, "Malik did not smile since the day ALLAH created him. Had he smiled for anyone, he would have smiled for you."
In Paradise, the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw some of the bounties ALLAH prepared for the inhabitants of Paradise. He saw the Hur ul-'In: females ALLAH created who are not humans or jinn. They are in Paradise and will be married to those men ALLAH willed them to marry.
The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw the wildan ul-mukhalladun: creations of ALLAH who are not human, jinn, or angels. They are a very beautiful creation of ALLAH whose appearance is like laid-out pearls. They are servants of the inhabitants of Paradise. The least in status of the People of Paradise will have 10,000 wildan ul-mukhalladun to serve him. Each one of them would carry a tray of gold in one hand and a tray of silver in the other hand.
The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) saw the Throne ('Arsh), which is the ceiling of Paradise. The Throne is the largest creation of ALLAH in size; ALLAH did not create anything bigger in size than it. The seven heavens and the earth in comparison to the Kursiyy, are like a ring thrown in a desert, and the Kursiyy in comparison to the Throne, is like a ring thrown in a desert. The seven heavens and the earth in comparison to the Throne are like a seed of mustard compared to the ocean. ALLAH created the Throne as a sign of HIS Power and HE did not create the Throne to sit on it.
ALLAH created the Throne to show HIS Power. It is carried by four angels, and on the Day of Judgment, it will be carried by eight. The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said he was permitted to speak about one of these angels who carry the Throne. In describing this angel, the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) told us the distance between his ear lobe and shoulder is the distance a fast-flying bird would cover in 700 years.
Then the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ascended beyond Paradise. He reached a place where he heard the creaking of the pens used by the angels who are copying from the Preserved Tablet. It is at that location Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) heard the Kalam of ALLAH, which is an attribute of the Self of ALLAH. He heard the Kalam of ALLAH which does not resemble our speech--so it is not something that occurs bit after bit. It is not letter after letter or a word that comes after another word. Rather, it is an attribute of ALLAH which is eternal and everlasting. It does not resemble our attributes. The Kalam of ALLAH has neither silence nor interruptions. It is an attribute of ALLAH, and it does not resemble the attributes of the creation.
The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) understood several things from hearing this Kalam of ALLAH. He understood the obligation of the five Obligatory Prayers. At first, ALLAH obligated fifty prayers. When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) encountered Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him),he told him to make supplication (du^a') to his Lord to ease the obligation of fifty (50) prayers, because his nation could not handle that. Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him) said, "I have experience with the people of Israel, and I know your nation cannot bear that." So the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) asked his Lord to lessen these prayers for his people. Five prayers were eliminated. Once again,Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him) told the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to ask ALLAH to lessen the number of prayers. ALLAH did. Nine times the blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) made supplication to ALLAH to lessen these prayers--until these prayers were lessened to five Obligatory Prayers. So Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him) was a great benefit to us. Had we been obligated to pray fifty prayers a day, this would have been a difficult matter for us.
So, the prayers are a blessing for us from ALLAH on the sacred day of "Isra wa'l mairaj". Besides the prayers for the believers the other blessings were also promised to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him ) for his followers from ALLAH. They were-
1. Those who will obey these commandments I shall bless upto the maximum limit.
2. That I will accept supplication for forgiveness of sins of your followers.
3. If there be a group of seven persons and if only one be good in that group, then for his sake I would bless all seven.
4. If anyone feels sorry in one's heart after committing a sin i.e. repents and determines never to commit the same again, such will I forgive.
5. ALLAH has said I will give sickness, troubles and difficulties to Muslims so that it may act as a "Kuffara" (a tax or a levy or a penance) for the waiving of the wrongs of one's sins.
6. Those who do good amongst them I shall bless many folds.
7. Those who persistently do wrongs and pay no heed towards repentance and your teachings, such Muslims, I will condemn into the hands of "Zalims" (i.e. Rulers or nations who will torture them), until they repent and mend their ways in accordance with Islamic principles.
8. On the Day of Judgment I will be lenient in My judgment and will forgive and bless the sins of Muslims and send them to Heaven, provided they have done some good deeds in accordance with My Quranic Orders.
The origin of "tashahud":
When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) arrived in the presence of ALLAH he stood with bowed head and his hands placed respectfully one upon the other in front of him, and recited amongst other praises the following :
"Soobhaa Nakallaahoomma wa bihamdika wa tabaarakasmooka wa ta'aala jadduka wa laa ilaaha Ghairuka.
A-oozu Billahi minash Shaitaanir rajeem.
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem".
Translation :-
"Glory be to Thee O ALLAH, and Thine is the praise and blessed is Thy name, and exalted is Thy Majesty ; there is no deity besides Thee.
"I seek ALLAH's protection against the accursed Satan.
"In the name of ALLAH, the Beneficent, the Merciful".
"Alhamdu Lillahi Rabbil Aalameen.
"Arrahmanir Raheem.
"Maaliki yaumid deen.
"Iyyaka naabudu wa iyyaka nastaaeen.
"Ihdinas siraatal moostaqeem,
"Siraatal lazeena anaamta alaihim,
"Ghairil maghdhoobi alaihim, waladh dhaalleen (Ameen)"
Translation :-
"Praise be to ALLAH Who is Lord Sustainer of the entire universe.
"The Beneficent, the Merciful.
"(Sole) Owner of the Day of Judgment.
"Thee (Allah) we worship ; Thee we ask for help.
"Show us (to those on) the Right path,
"(i.e. by taking us to one who is on) the path of those whom Thou hast favoured with thy Grace.
"Not those, who earn Thine anger,nor those who are astray (by worshipping idols or committing polytheism)" (Quran 1 : 1-7).
After reciting some more words in praise Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said "ALLAHu Akbar" (ALLAH is Greatest) and bowed before his Lord.
Then he recited a number of times "Subhana Rabbial Azeem" (Glory be to The Sustainer Lord, the Great).
ALLAH acknowledged by saying : "Sami ALLAHu Liman Hamidah" (ALLAH listens to him who praises HIM).
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) straightened himself from his bowing position reciting "Rabbana wa lakal hamd" (Oh our Lord, Thine is all praise). Saying "ALLAHu Akbar" (ALLAH is Greatest) he prostrated himself before ALLAH and recited a number of times "Subhana Rabbiyal Aalaa" (Glory be to The Sustainer Lord, the Highest).
After he had adored his Lord to his satisfaction, he got up saying "ALLAHu Akbar" (ALLAH is Greatest) and sat at the foot of the throne of ALLAH and chanted : "Attahiyyaatu Lillahi was salawaatu wattaayibaatu". (All services rendered by me by words and bodily actions and sacrifice of wealth are in honour of You, O ALLAH !).
ALLAH replied : "Assalaamu alaika ya ayyuhan Nabiyyu wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh". (My peace be on thee Oh Prophet ! together with My Mercy and My Blessings - indeed what a great honour !)
When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) found that he was alone being blessed by ALLAH, whilst he was "Rahmat Ul Lil Aalaameen" (A Comforter and Blessing for the whole Universe) he pleaded immediately with ALLAH : "Assalaamu Alaina wa alaa ibaadil-Laahis saaleheen" (Let the Peace of ALLAH be on the worshippers and the righteous servants of the Lord - thus covering all righteous worshippers of ALLAH from Adam the first man till the last true worshipper at the time of destruction of the universe - indeed a Rahmat Ul Lil Aalaameen - a Comforter and Saviour for the entire creation !)
When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) made such a big request that the Universe be blessed through him, ALLAH naturally asked what gift have you got to offer in exchange? Muhammad's forthright reply was :-
"Ash-hadu an la ilaaha illal Laahu".
Translation :-
"I give evidence that none is worthy of divine worship except ALLAH".
So exceptionally was ALLAH overjoyed that HE announced :-
"Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhoo wa rasooluh".
Translation :-
"And I (also) give evidence that Muhammad is HIS (ALLAH's) slave and HIS Messenger".
Thus Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was given the unique honour of being declared the slave of ALLAH, in addition to being HIS Messenger!
Here are a few hadith regarding the 'Isra wa'l-Mairaaj'
Volume 5, Book 58, Number 228:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas (Radi ALLAHu ta'aala anhu):
Regarding the Statement of ALLAH"
"And We granted the vision (Ascension to the heavens) which We made you see (as an actual eye witness) was only made as a trial for the people." (17.60)
Ibn Abbas (Radi ALLAHu ta'aala anhu)added: The sights which ALLAH's Apostle was shown on the Night Journey when he was taken to Bait-ul Maqdis (i.e. Jerusalem) were actual sights, (not dreams). And the Cursed Tree (mentioned) in the Quran is the tree of Zaqqum (itself) .
Volume 4, Book 54, Number 462:
Narrated Ibn Abbas (Radi ALLAHu ta'aala anhu):
The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said, "On the night of my Ascent to the Heaven, I saw Moses who was a tall brown curly-haired man as if he was one of the men of Shan'awa tribe, and I saw Jesus, a man of medium height and moderate complexion inclined to the red and white colors and of lank hair. I also saw Malik, the gate-keeper of the (Hell) Fire and Ad-Dajjal amongst the signs which ALLAH showed me." (The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) then recited the Holy Verse): "So be not you in doubt of meeting him' when you met Moses during the night of Mi'raj over the heavens" (32.23)
Narrated Anas and Abu Bakra: "The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said, "The angels will guard Medina from Ad-Dajjal (who will not be able to enter the city of Medina)."
Volume 5, Book 58, Number 227:
Narrated Abbas bin Malik (Radi ALLAHu ta'aala anhu):
Malik bin Sasaa said that ALLAH's Apostle described to them his Night Journey saying, "While I was lying in Al-Hatim or Al-Hijr, suddenly someone came to me and cut my body open from here to here." I asked Al-Jarud who was by my side, "What does he mean?" He said, "It means from his throat to his pubic area," or said, "From the top of the chest." The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) further said, "He then took out my heart. Then a gold tray of Belief was brought to me and my heart was washed and was filled (with Belief) and then returned to its original place. Then a white animal which was smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me." (On this Al-Jarud asked, "Was it the Buraq, O Abu Hamza?" I (i.e. Anas) replied in the affirmative). The blessed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said, "The animal's step (was so wide that it) reached the farthest point within the reach of the animal's sight. I was carried on it, and Gabriel set out with me till we reached the nearest heaven.
When he asked for the gate to be opened, it was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has Muhammad been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened, and when I went over the first heaven, I saw Adam there. Gabriel said (to me). 'This is your father, Adam; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.' Then Gabriel ascended with me till we reached the second heaven. Gabriel asked for the gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel answered in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened.
When I went over the second heaven, there I saw Yahya (i.e. John) and 'Isa (i.e. Jesus) who were cousins of each other. Gabriel said (to me), 'These are John and Jesus; pay them your greetings.' So I greeted them and both of them returned my greetings to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.' Then Gabriel ascended with me to the third heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened, and when I went over the third heaven there I saw Joseph. Gabriel said (to me), 'This is Joseph; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.' Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fourth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed, what an excel lent visit his is!'
The gate was opened, and when I went over the fourth heaven, there I saw Idris. Gabriel said (to me), 'This is Idris; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.' Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fifth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel.' It was asked. 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is! So when I went over the fifth heaven, there I saw Harun (i.e. Aaron), Gabriel said, (to me). This is Aaron; pay him your greetings.' I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.'
Then Gabriel ascended with me to the sixth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked. 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. It was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!'
When I went (over the sixth heaven), there I saw Moses. Gabriel said (to me),' This is Moses; pay him your greeting. So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.' When I left him (i.e. Moses) he wept. Someone asked him, 'What makes you weep?' Moses said, 'I weep because after me there has been sent (as Prophet) a young man whose followers will enter Paradise in greater numbers than my followers.' Then Gabriel ascended with me to the seventh heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel.' It was asked,' Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!'
So when I went (over the seventh heaven), there I saw Abraham. Gabriel said (to me), 'This is your father; pay your greetings to him.' So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.' Then I was made to ascend to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary) Behold! Its fruits were like the jars of Hajr (i.e. a place near Medina) and its leaves were as big as the ears of elephants. Gabriel said, 'This is the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary) . Behold ! There ran four rivers, two were hidden and two were visible, I asked, 'What are these two kinds of rivers, O Gabriel?' He replied,' As for the hidden rivers, they are two rivers in Paradise and the visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates.'
Then Al-Bait-ul-Ma'mur (i.e. the Sacred House) was shown to me and a container full of wine and another full of milk and a third full of honey were brought to me. I took the milk. Gabriel remarked, 'This is the Islamic religion which you and your followers are following.' Then the prayers were enjoined on me: They were fifty prayers a day. When I returned, I passed by Moses who asked (me), 'What have you been ordered to do?' I replied, 'I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers a day.' Moses said, 'Your followers cannot bear fifty prayers a day, and by ALLAH, I have tested people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel (in vain). Go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers' burden.' So I went back, and ALLAH reduced ten prayers for me. Then again I came to Moses, but he repeated the same as he had said before. Then again I went back to ALLAH and He reduced ten more prayers. When I came back to Moses he said the same, I went back to ALLAH and He ordered me to observe ten prayers a day. When I came back to Moses, he repeated the same advice, so I went back to ALLAH and was ordered to observe five prayers a day.
When I came back to Moses, he said, 'What have you been ordered?' I replied, 'I have been ordered to observe five prayers a day.' He said, 'Your followers cannot bear five prayers a day, and no doubt, I have got an experience of the people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel, so go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your follower's burden.' I said, 'I have requested so much of my Lord that I feel ashamed, but I am satisfied now and surrender to ALLAH's Order.' When I left, I heard a voice saying, 'I have passed My Order and have lessened the burden of My Worshippers."
Masjid-e-Aqsa, Occupied Palestine
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