Indeed all praises are due to Allah, we praise Him, we seek His help, we ask for His forgiveness, and we rely solely on Him. We seek His refuge from the evil in our souls and from our wicked deeds. Whoever Allah guides, no one can misguide. And whomever Allah misguides, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah, He is One, with no partners, and I testify that Mohammad (ﷺ) is His Messenger and His slave.
JUMP TO TOPICS
- Nightly journey of Israa & Miraj
- Riding of Al-Buraq
- Prophet (ﷺ)'s ascension to Heavens
- Other events during Miraj
- Did Prophet (ﷺ) saw Allah (swt)?
- Did Prophet (ﷺ) experience nightly journey physically or by soul?
Israa’ & Mi’raj (الإسراء والمعراج) refers to the famous event of Nightly Journey and Ascension of Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ) to Heavens. During the course of His journey at that night He visited Al-Aqsa Mosque, and was ascended to Heavens from there, and then He met many Prophets, and visited hell and paradise, and was also taken to Sidratul Muntaha (سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى) where He (ﷺ) met with Allah (swt) behind the veil. He was given five daily prayers during that meeting. On His returned journey He led the prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque and all Prophets prayed behind Him. He was returned to his home in Makkah before morning.
Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an regarding this Journey in Chapter Al-Isra (The Journey by Night):
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ
17.1 Glorified be He (Allah),Who took His slave (Muhammad SAW) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram (at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad SAW) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.
This event has special significance in Islamic History as it marks the beginning of Second Pillar of Islamic Faith, i.e. five times daily prayers, including Fajr (Dawn), Zuhr (noon), Asr (mid-afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), Isha (nightfall). Although the Prophet (ﷺ) use to pray (salah) even before Miraj-un-Nabi (معراج النبي), however, it was limited to one or two prays during day and night, and it was not in the same format as it became later, and also it was not declared mandatory. After this miraculous journey five time daily prayers became mandatory on every Muslim (above certain age).
This journey raised stir among the people and those who disbelieved plied Mohammad (ﷺ) with all sorts of questions. He (ﷺ) gave them detailed account of Al-Aqsa Mosque and even the merchants going to and fro. However, the disbelievers found it a suitable opportunity to laugh at the Muslims and their creed. The true Muslims, however, accepted the words of Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) and believed in the unseen. Abu Bakar testified to the story immediately, thus earned the title of “As-Siddiq” (The verifier of the truth).
The best eloquent justification of this journey is expressed in the words of Allah:
لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا
“.. in order that We might show him (Mohmmad) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs etc.)” 17:1
This is no different from many previous Prophets, as mentioned in Quran, that Allah swt showed Greater signs to them. (See for e.g. 6:75, 20:23). The purpose is for them to have stronger faith:
وَلِيَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُوقِنِينَ
“.. He be of those who have Faith with certainty” 6:75
TERMS
- Israa’ (أَسْرَى) refers to Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ) Nightly Journey from His house in Makkah to Al-Aqsa Mosque (الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى) in Jerusalem, Palestine.
- Mi’raj (معراج) refers to ladder on which Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ) ascended to seven havens from Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Nightly Journey.
- Sidratul Muntaha (سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى) refers to the remotest lote tree. This is the ultimate limited beyond which no one is allowed. Even Angel Gabriel is not able to go beyond this limit. Eyes can not see beyond this limit. The Arsh of Allah (swt) is beyond this limit.
- Al-Aqsa Mosque (الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى) has special significance for Muslims, the Sacred House which is in Jerusalem Palestine, the origin of the Prophets from the time of Ibrahim. Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ) led all Prophets in prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Nightly Journey. It was also first Qibla (direction for prayers) for Muslims, and its considered most sacred Islamic Place after Baytul Allah (in Makkah) and Prophet Mohammad’s mosque (in Madinah).
- Baytul Ma’mur (بيت المعـمور) is similar to Baytul of Allah in Makkah. Seventy thousand Angles make Tawaf (طواف - encompass) of Baytul Ma’mur every day, so that the angels that once encompassed it would not have their turn again till the Day of Resurrection.
- Al-Buraq (البراق) is the heavenly white animal on which the Prophet (ﷺ) rode from Makkah to Al-Aqsa Mosque during His nightly journey. This animal came with Gabriel (as) and it travels extremely fast.
TIMELINE
There is difference of opinion about the exact date of this event. Safiurahman Mubarakpuri1 says there are following views about when it occurred :
- The Nightly journey occurred during the year in which Allah (swt) honoured Muhammad (ﷺ) with Prophethood. This is the view of Al-Tabari2.
- It occurred fives years after the beginning of his Prophethood. This view is preferred by An-Nawawi and Al-Qurtubi.
- It was the night of the 27th of Rajab during the 10th year of Prophethood. This view was chosen by Allama Al=Mansurpuri.
- It was 16 months prior to the migration to Madinah, during Ramadan of the 12th year of Prophethood.
- It was one year and two months prior to the migration to Madinah, meaning in Al-Muharram during the 13th year of Prophethood.
- It was one year prior to the migration, during Rabi’ul-Awwal in the 13th year of Prophethood.
The first three views can not be accepted because Khadijah (ra) died in Ramadan during the 10th year of Prophethood and her death was before 5 times prayer became obligatory, and there is no difference of opinion that 5 times daily prayers became obligatory during the Nightly Journey3.
For the remaining views there is no sign indicating a preference for one over the other, except that the context of Surat Al-Isra supports that the Night Journey was very late on the time line.
Ibn Khatir mentioned4 that Ibn Asakar mentioned Israa’ with the events of beginning of Prophethood. Ibn Ishaq mentioned this event during the discussions of 10th year of Prophethood. Bahiqi also mentioned it with the events of 10th year of Prophethood when Prophet (ﷺ) migrated to Madinah. Besides the year, there is also difference of opinion on the month that this event happened. Abu Bakar bin Shaiba mentioned with the chain going to Ibn Abbas RA that the Prophet (ﷺ) was born in Year of Elephant during Rabi-ul-Awal on Monday and He (ﷺ) received Prophethood on same month on same day, and Allah (swt) honored Him (ﷺ) with Mi’raj during same year (i.e. the year he received Prophethood) and He migrated to Madinah on same day, and He (ﷺ) died on same day and same month. Hafiz Abdul Gani bin Sarwar Al-Maqdasi used the same riwayah, but mentioned event of Mi’raj on 17th Rajab without mentioning any Hadith. Some people mentions event of Mi’raj to have happened on First Friday of Month of Rajab, and they also relate “ليلة الرغائب” and associate a prayer with it. But this has no reality.
NIGHTLY JOURNEY ISRAA’ & MI’RAJ
There are repeated narrations that reported The Nightly Journey of the Prophet (ﷺ). We will describe this journey in light of these narrations.
Chart explaining Journey of Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ)
...
1. Gabriel opens the chest of the Prophet (ﷺ)
As mentioned earlier, the date and timeline of this event is not clearly known. However, it has reached to us with various narrations that three angles came to Makkah at night. The Prophet (ﷺ) was sleeping near Baytul Haram. It was a practice of Quraish to sleep near Baytul Haram. The two of the Angles were reported to be (جبرائيل) Gabriel and (ميكائيل) Michael (عليهم السلام). They cut open His (ﷺ) chest and cleansed it with ZamZam of any doubt, shirk and ignorance, and filled it with faith and wisdom. Here are some of the narrations that describe this event:
- At-Tabri5 relates from Anas bin Malik RA :
That after the Prophethood was received by Mohammad (ﷺ), two angels Gabriel and Michael came to Him. He (ﷺ) used to sleep near Kaba. Quraish use to sleep near Kaba. (They spoke to each other) They said, which one of these were we ordered about?. Then they replied: We were ordered about the most noble of them. Then they left and came again from the direction of Qibla. They were three. They found the Prophet (ﷺ) in sleeping state. They cut open His chest. Then washed it with Zamzam and remove all doubt, shirk and ignorance. Then they brought gold vessel that was full with wisdom and faith, and they poured it into His body.
- Al-Bukhari recorded that Anas bin Malik said: Abu Dharr used to tell us that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“The roof of my house was opened while I was in Makkah, and Gabriel came down and opened my chest, then he washed it with Zamzam water. Then he brought a vessel of gold filled with wisdom and faith, and poured it into my chest, then he closed it up…”
- Imam Ahmed recorded that Anas bin Malik said that Malik bin Sa’sa’ah told him that the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) told them about the night in which he was taken on the Night Journey (Al-Israa’). He said:
“While I was lying down in Al-Hatim (or maybe, Qatadah said, in Al-Hijr) someone came to me and said to his companion, “The one who is in the middle of these three”. He came to me and opened me”.
I [one of the narrators] heard Qatadah say, “Split me – from here to here”. Qatadah said: “I said to Al-Jarud, who was beside me, “What does that mean?”. He said: “From the top of his chest to below his navel”, and I heard him say, “from his throat to below his navel”.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “He took out my heart and brought a golden vessel filled with faith and wisdom. He washed my heart then filled it up and put it back, and then a white animal was brought to me that was smaller than a mule and larger than a donkey”.
Al-Jarud said, “Was this Al-Buraq, O Abu Hamza?” He said, “Yes, and its stride covered a distance as far as it could see”…
2. Riding of Al-Buraq in the company of Gabriel to Bayt al-Maqdis
- Anas Bin Malik Reported [Imam Ahmad]:
Imam Ahmad reported from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah said: “Al-Buraq was brought to me, and it was a white animal bigger than a donkey and smaller than a mule. One stride of this creature covered a distance as far as it could see. I rode on it and it took me to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), where I tethered it at the hitching post of the Prophets.
Then I entered and prayed two Rak`ahs there, and came out. Jibril brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk, and I chose the milk. Jibril said: `You have chosen the Fitrah (natural instinct).' ….”
This version was also recorded by Muslim. [Tafsir Ibn Khatir verse 17:1] - Report of Anas [Imam Ahmed]
Imam Ahmad recorded Anas saying that Al-Buraq was brought to the Prophet on the Night of the Isra' with his saddle and reins ready for riding. The animal shied, and Jibril said to him: "Why are you doing this By Allah, no one has ever ridden you who is more honored by Allah than him.'' At this, Al-Buraq started to sweat. This was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, who said it is Gharib.
- Prophet (pbuh) prayed two Rakahs at Bayt al-Maqdis
Ibn Khatir reported: “The truth is that the Prophet was taken on the Night Journey when he was awake, not in a dream, and he went from Makkah to Bayt Al-Maqdis riding on Al-Buraq. When he reached the door of the sanctuary, he tied up his animal by the door and entered, where he prayed two Rak`ahs to `greet the Masjid'. Then the Mi`raj was brought to him, which is a ladder with steps which one climbs up. So he went up on it to the first heaven.” [Tafsir Ibn Khatir]
Anas Bin Malik Reported “ …. I rode on it and it took me to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), where I tethered it at the hitching post of the Prophets. Then I entered and prayed two Rak`ahs there, and came out….” [Imam Ahmad]
3. Prophet (ﷺ) ascension to Heavens, and meetings with Prophets
During the night, he was ascended to heaven from Bayt al-Maqdis (Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem), where he met various Prophets.
- Anas Bin Malik Reported [Al-Bukhari]
Narrated `Abbas bin Malik:
Malik bin Sasaa said that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Worshipers." [Al-Bukhari]
- Anas Bin Malik Reported [Imam Ahmad]:
Imam Ahmad reported from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah said:
Al-Buraq was brought to me, and it was a white animal bigger than a donkey and smaller than a mule. One stride of this creature covered a distance as far as it could see. I rode on it and it took me to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), where I tethered it at the hitching post of the Prophets.Then I entered and prayed two Rakahs there, and came out. Jibril brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk, and I chose the milk. Jibril said: `You have chosen the Fitrah (natural instinct).'
Then I was taken up to the first heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you' He said, `Jibril.' It was said, `Who is with you' He said, `Muhammad.' It was asked, `Has his Mission started' He said, `His Mission has started.' So it was opened for us, and there I saw Adam, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me.
Then I was taken up to the second heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you' He said, `Jibril.' It was said, `Who is with you' He said, `Muhammad.' It was asked, `Has his Mission started' He said, `His Mission has started.' So it was opened for us, and there I saw the two maternal cousins, Yahya and `Isa, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me.
Then I was taken up to the third heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you' He said, `Jibril.' It was said, `Who is with you' He said, `Muhammad.' It was asked, `Has his Mission started' He said, `His Mission has started.' So it was opened for us, and there I saw Yusuf, who had been given the beautiful half. He welcomed me and prayed for good for me.
Then I was taken up to the fourth heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you' He said, `Jibril.' It was said, `Who is with you' He said, `Muhammad.' It was asked, `Has his Mission started' He said, `His Mission has started.' So it was opened for us, and there I saw Idris, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me. - then (the Prophet ) said: Allah says: وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَاناً عَلِيّاً - (And We raised him to a high station) (19:57).
Then he resumed his narrative: (Then I was taken up to the fifth heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you' He said, `Jibril.' It was said, `Who is with you' He said, `Muhammad.' It was asked, `Has his Mission started' He said, `His Mission has started.' So it was opened for us, and there I saw Harun, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me.
Then I was taken up to the sixth heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you' He said, `Jibril. It was said, `Who is with you' He said, `Muhammad.' It was asked, `Has his Mission started' He said, `His Mission has started.' So it was opened for us, and there I saw Musa, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me.
Then I was taken up to the seventh heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you' He said, `Jibril.' It was said, `Who is with you' He said, `Muhammad.' It was asked, `Has his Mission started' He said, `His Mission has started.' So it was opened for us, and there I saw Ibrahim, who was leaning back against the Much-Frequented House (Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur). Every day seventy thousand angels enter it, then they never come back to it again.
Then I was taken to Sidrat Al-Muntaha (the Lote tree beyond which none may pass), and its leaves were like the leaves ﴿ears﴾ of elephants and its fruits were like jugs, and when it was veiled with whatever it was veiled with by the command of Allah, it changed, and none of the creatures of Allah can describe it because it is so beautiful. Then Allah revealed that which He revealed to me. He enjoined on me fifty prayers every day and night. I came down until I reached Musa, and he said, `What did your Lord enjoin on your Ummah' I said, `Fifty prayers everyday and night.' He said, `Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce (the burden) for your Ummah, for your Ummah will not be able to do that. I tested the Children of Israel and found out how they were.' So I went back to my Lord and said, `O Lord, reduce (the burden) for my Ummah for they will never be able to do that.' So He reduced it by five. I came back down until I met Musa and he asked me, `What did you do' I said, `(My Lord) reduced (my burden) by five.' He said, `Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce (the burden) for your Ummah.' I kept going back between my Lord and Musa, and (my Lord) reduced it by five each time, until He said, `O Muhammad, these are five prayers every day and night, and for every prayer there is (the reward of) ten, so they are (like) fifty prayers. Whoever wants to do something good then does not do it, one good deed will be recorded for him, and if he does it, ten good deeds will be recorded for him. Whoever wants to do something evil and does not do it, no evil deed will be recorded for him, and if he does it, one evil deed will be recorded for him.' I came down until I reached Musa, and told him about this. He said: `Go back to your Lord and ask him to reduce (the burden) for your Ummah, for they will never be able to do that.' I had kept going back to my Lord until I felt too shy.)
This version was also recorded by Muslim. [Tafsir Ibn Khatir verse 17:1]
- Report of Abu Dhar [Al-Bukhari]:
Narrated Abu Dhar:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "While I was at Mecca the roof of my house was opened and Gabriel descended, opened my chest, and washed it with Zamzam water. Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith and having poured its contents into my chest, he closed it.Then he took my hand and ascended with me to the nearest heaven, when I reached the nearest heaven, Gabriel said to the gatekeeper of the heaven, 'Open (the gate).' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered: 'Gabriel.' He asked, 'Is there anyone with you?' Gabriel replied, 'Yes, Muhammad I is with me.' He asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel said, 'Yes.' So the gate was opened and we went over the nearest heaven and there we saw a man sitting with some people on his right and some on his left. When he looked towards his right, he laughed and when he looked toward his left he wept. Then he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' He replied, 'He is Adam and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on his right are the people of Paradise and those on his left are the people of Hell and when he looks towards his right he laughs and when he looks towards his left he weeps.'
Then he ascended with me till he reached the second heaven and he (Gabriel) said to its gatekeeper, 'Open (the gate).' The gatekeeper said to him the same as the gatekeeper of the first heaven had said and he opened the gate. Anas said: "Abu Dhar added that the Prophet (ﷺ) met Adam, Idris, Moses, Jesus and Abraham, he (Abu Dhar) did not mention on which heaven they were but he mentioned that he (the Prophet (ﷺ) ) met Adam on the nearest heaven and Abraham on the sixth heaven. Anas said, "When Gabriel along with the Prophet (ﷺ) passed by Idris, the latter said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.' The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Idris."
The Prophet (ﷺ) added, "I passed by Moses and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Moses.'
Then I passed by Jesus and he said, 'Welcome! O pious brother and pious Prophet.' I asked, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Jesus.
Then I passed by Abraham and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Abraham.
The Prophet (ﷺ) added, 'Then Gabriel ascended with me to a place where I heard the creaking of the pens." Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on my followers when I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, 'What has Allah enjoined on your followers?' I replied, 'He has enjoined fifty prayers on them.' Moses said, 'Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for your followers will not be able to bear it.' (So I went back to Allah and requested for reduction) and He reduced it to half. When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said, 'Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it.' So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced. I again passed by Moses and he said to me: 'Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and He said, 'These are five prayers and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.' I returned to Moses and he told me to go back once again. I replied, 'Now I feel shy of asking my Lord again.'
Then Gabriel took me till we '' reached Sidrat-il-Muntaha (Lote tree of; the utmost boundary) which was shrouded in colors, indescribable. Then I was admitted into Paradise where I found small (tents or) walls (made) of pearls and its earth was of musk." [Al-Bukhari Book 8, Hadith 1]
- Reported by Anas bin Malik [Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The night Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was taken for a journey from the sacred mosque (of Mecca) Al-Ka`ba: Three persons came to him (in a dreamy while he was sleeping in the Sacred Mosque before the Divine Inspiration was revealed to Him. One of them said, "Which of them is he?" The middle (second) angel said, "He is the best of them." The last (third) angle said, "Take the best of them." Only that much happened on that night and he did not see them till they came on another night, i.e. after The Divine Inspiration was revealed to him. (Fath-ul-Bari Page 258, Vol. 17) and he saw them, his eyes were asleep but his heart was not----and so is the case with the prophets: their eyes sleep while their hearts do not sleep.So those angels did not talk to him till they carried him and placed him beside the well of Zamzam. From among them Gabriel took charge of him. Gabriel cut open (the part of his body) between his throat and the middle of his chest (heart) and took all the material out of his chest and `Abdomen and then washed it with Zamzam water with his own hands till he cleansed the inside of his body, and then a gold tray containing a gold bowl full of belief and wisdom was brought and then Gabriel stuffed his chest and throat blood vessels with it and then closed it (the chest).
He then ascended with him to the heaven of the world and knocked on one of its doors. The dwellers of the Heaven asked, 'Who is it?' He said, "Gabriel." They said, "Who is accompanying you?" He said, "Muhammad." They said, "Has he been called?" He said, "Yes" They said, "He is welcomed." So the dwellers of the Heaven became pleased with his arrival, and they did not know what Allah would do to the Prophet (ﷺ) on earth unless Allah informed them. The Prophet (ﷺ) met Adam over the nearest Heaven. Gabriel said to the Prophet, "He is your father; greet him." The Prophet (ﷺ) greeted him and Adam returned his greeting and said, "Welcome, O my Son! O what a good son you are!"
Behold, he saw two flowing rivers, while he was in the nearest sky. He asked, "What are these two rivers, O Gabriel?" Gabriel said, "These are the sources of the Nile and the Euphrates."
Then Gabriel took him around that Heaven and behold, he saw another river at the bank of which there was a palace built of pearls and emerald. He put his hand into the river and found its mud like musk Adhfar. He asked, "What is this, O Gabriel?" Gabriel said, "This is the Kauthar which your Lord has kept for you."
Then Gabriel ascended (with him) to the second Heaven and the angels asked the same questions as those on the first Heaven, i.e., "Who is it?" Gabriel replied, "Gabriel". They asked, "Who is accompanying you?" He said, "Muhammad." They asked, "Has he been sent for?" He said, "Yes." Then they said, "He is welcomed.''
Then he (Gabriel) ascended with the Prophet (ﷺ) to the third Heaven, and the angels said the same as the angels of the first and the second Heavens had said.
Then he ascended with him to the fourth Heaven and they said the same; and then he ascended with him to the fifth Heaven and they said the same; and then he ascended with him to the sixth Heaven and they said the same; then he ascended with him to the seventh Heaven and they said the same.
On each Heaven there were prophets whose names he had mentioned and of whom I remember Idris on the second Heaven, Aaron on the fourth Heavens another prophet whose name I don't remember, on the fifth Heaven, Abraham on the sixth Heaven, and Moses on the seventh Heaven because of his privilege of talking to Allah directly. Moses said (to Allah), "O Lord! I thought that none would be raised up above me."
But Gabriel ascended with him (the Prophet) for a distance above that, the distance of which only Allah knows, till he reached the Lote Tree (beyond which none may pass) and then the Irresistible, the Lord of Honor and Majesty approached and came closer till he (Gabriel) was about two bow lengths or (even) nearer. (It is said that it was Gabriel who approached and came closer to the Prophet. (Fate Al-Bari Page 263, 264, Vol. 17).
Among the things which Allah revealed to him then, was: "Fifty prayers were enjoined on his followers in a day and a night." Then the Prophet (ﷺ) descended till he met Moses, and then Moses stopped him and asked, "O Muhammad ! What did your Lord en join upon you?" The Prophet (ﷺ) replied," He enjoined upon me to perform fifty prayers in a day and a night." Moses said, "Your followers cannot do that; Go back so that your Lord may reduce it for you and for them." So the Prophet (ﷺ) turned to Gabriel as if he wanted to consult him about that issue. Gabriel told him of his opinion, saying, "Yes, if you wish." So Gabriel ascended with him to the Irresistible and said while he was in his place, "O Lord, please lighten our burden as my followers cannot do that." So Allah deducted for him ten prayers where upon he returned to Moses who stopped him again and kept on sending him back to his Lord till the enjoined prayers were reduced to only five prayers. Then Moses stopped him when the prayers had been reduced to five and said, "O Muhammad! By Allah, I tried to persuade my nation, Bani Israel to do less than this, but they could not do it and gave it up. However, your followers are weaker in body, heart, sight and hearing, so return to your Lord so that He may lighten your burden." The Prophet (ﷺ) turned towards Gabriel for advice and Gabriel did not disapprove of that. So he ascended with him for the fifth time. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Lord, my followers are weak in their bodies, hearts, hearing and constitution, so lighten our burden." On that the Irresistible said, "O Muhammad!" the Prophet replied, "Labbaik and Sa`daik." Allah said, "The Word that comes from Me does not change, so it will be as I enjoined on you in the Mother of the Book." Allah added, "Every good deed will be rewarded as ten times so it is fifty (prayers) in the Mother of the Book (in reward) but you are to perform only five (in practice)." The Prophet (ﷺ) returned to Moses who asked, "What have you done?" He said, "He has lightened our burden: He has given us for every good deed a tenfold reward." Moses said, "By Allah! I tried to make Bani Israel observe less than that, but they gave it up. So go back to your Lord that He may lighten your burden further." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "O Moses! By Allah, I feel shy of returning too many times to my Lord." On that Gabriel said, "Descend in Allah's Name." The Prophet (ﷺ) then woke while he was in the Sacred Mosque (at Mecca). [Al-Bukhari]
- 1st Heaven – Meeting with Prophet Adam (عليه السلام)
Narrated Abu Dhar: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said,
“…Then he took my hand and ascended with me to the nearest heaven, when I reached the nearest heaven, Gabriel said to the gatekeeper of the heaven, 'Open (the gate).' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered: 'Gabriel.' He asked, 'Is there anyone with you?' Gabriel replied, 'Yes, Muhammad I is with me.' He asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel said, 'Yes.' So the gate was opened and we went over the nearest heaven and there we saw a man sitting with some people on his right and some on his left. When he looked towards his right, he laughed and when he looked toward his left he wept. Then he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' He replied, 'He is Adam and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on his right are the people of Paradise and those on his left are the people of Hell and when he looks towards his right he laughs and when he looks towards his left he weeps.' ..” [Al-Bukhari] - 2nd Heaven – Meeting with Prophet Yahya (John) and Prophet Esa (Jesus) (عليهم السلام)
Gabriel (as) then ascended with Prophet (ﷺ) to 2nd heaven, where he met Prophet Yahya (John), son of Zacharia (as), and also met Jesus (as), son of Mary.
Narrated Malik bin Sasaa:
That the Prophet (ﷺ) talked to them about the night of his Ascension to the Heavens. He said, "(Then Gabriel took me) and ascended up till he reached the second heaven where he asked for the gate to be opened, but it was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'I am Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' He replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' He said, 'Yes.' When we reached over the second heaven, I saw Yahya (i.e. John) and Jesus who were cousins. Gabriel said, 'These are John (Yahya) and Jesus, so greet them.' I greeted them and they returned the greeting saying, 'Welcome, O Pious Brother and Pious Prophet!;' " [Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I saw Moses, Jesus and Abraham (on the night of my Ascension to the heavens). Jesus was of red complexion, curly hair and a broad chest. Moses was of brown complexion, straight hair and tall stature as if he was from the people of Az-Zutt." [Al-Bukhari]
- 3rd Heaven – Meeting with Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (عليه السلام)
See Hadiths in Section 3.
- 4th Heaven – Meeting with Prophet Idris (عليه السلام)
See Hadiths in Section 3.
- 5th Heaven – Meeting with Prophet Haroon (Aaron) (عليه السلام)
See Hadiths in Section 3.
- 6th Heaven – Meeting with Prophet Mosa (Moses) (عليه السلام) & 5 Daily Prayers
Narrated Abu Dhar:
“… The Prophet (ﷺ) added, "I passed by Moses and he said, 'Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.' I asked Gabriel, 'Who is he?' Gabriel replied, 'He is Moses.' …” [Al-Bukhari]Narrated Abu Dhar (in same hadith):
‘.. The Prophet (ﷺ) added, 'Then Gabriel ascended with me to a place where I heard the creaking of the pens." Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on my followers when I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, 'What has Allah enjoined on your followers?' I replied, 'He has enjoined fifty prayers on them.' Moses said, 'Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for your followers will not be able to bear it.' (So I went back to Allah and requested for reduction) and He reduced it to half. When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said, 'Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it.' So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced. I again passed by Moses and he said to me: 'Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and He said, 'These are five prayers and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.' I returned to Moses and he told me to go back once again. I replied, 'Now I feel shy of asking my Lord again. ..' [Al-Bukhari]وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ فَلَا تَكُن فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَائِهِ ۖ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ
And indeed We gave Musa (Moses) the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)]. So be not you in doubt of meeting him [i.e. when you met Musa (Moses) during the night of Al-Isra' and Al-Mi'raj over the heavens]. And We made it [the Taurat (Torah)] a guide to the Children of Israel. [32:23]Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Prophet 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 Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The angels will guard Medina from Ad-Dajjal (who will not be able to enter the city of Medina). [Al-Bukhari] - 7th Heaven - Meeting with Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام):
The Prophet (ﷺ) was ascended to 7th heaven where he met Ibrahim (as), where they greeted each other.
Ibn Mas'ud (ra) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "I met Ibrahim (ﷺ) on the Night of Ascension (Al-Asra), and he said to me: 'O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Ummah, and tell them that Jannah has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain levelled land. The plants grow there by uttering: (سبحان الله، والحمد لله، ولا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر) Subhan-Allah, Al-hamdu lillah, La ilaha illallah and Allahu Akbar (Allah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allah; there is no true god except Allah; and Allah is Greatest)." [At- Tirmidhi].
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "On the night of my Ascension to Heaven, I saw (the prophet) Moses who was a thin person with lank hair, looking like one of the men of the tribe of Shanua; and I saw Jesus who was of average height with red face as if he had just come out of a bathroom. And I resemble prophet Abraham more than any of his offspring does. Then I was given two cups, one containing milk and the other wine. Gabriel said, 'Drink whichever you like.' I took the milk and drank it. Gabriel said, 'You have accepted what is natural, (True Religion i.e. Islam) and if you had taken the wine, your followers would have gone astray.' " [Al-Bukhari] - Return Journey and leading prayers with other Prophets.
"Prophet (pbuh) came back down to Bayt Al-Maqdis. And the other Prophets came down with him, and he led them in prayers there when the time for prayer came It may have been the dawn prayer of that day. Some people claim that he led them in prayer in heaven, but the reports seem to say that it was in Bayt Al-Maqdis. In some reports it says that it happened when he first entered (i.e., before ascending into the heavens), but it is more likely that it was after he came back, because when he passed by them in the places in the heavens, he asked Jibril about them, one by one, and Jibril told him about them. This is more appropriate, because he was first required to come before the Divine Presence, so that what Allah willed could be enjoined upon him and his Ummah. When the matter for which he was required had been dealt with, he and his brother-Prophets gathered, and his virtue and high position in relation to them became apparent when he was asked to come forward to lead them, which was when Jibril indicated to him that he should do so." [Tafsir Ibn Khatir]
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
I found myself in Hijr and the Quraish were asking me about my might journey. I was asked about things pertaining to Bait-ul-Maqdis which I could not preserve (in my mind). I was very much vexed, so vexed as I had never been before. Then Allah raised it (Bait-ul-Maqdis) before my eyes. I looked towards it, and I gave them the information about whatever they questioned me I also saw myself among the group of apostles. I saw Moses saying prayer and found him to be a well-built man as if he was a man of the tribe of Shanu'a. I saw Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) offering prayer, of all of men he had the closest resemblance with 'Urwa b. Masu'd al-Thaqafi. I saw Ibrahim (peace be upon him) offering prayer; he had the closest resemblance with your companion (the Prophet himself) amongst people. When the time of prayer came I led them. When I completed the prayer, someone said: Here is Malik, the keeper of the Hell; pay him salutations. I turned to him, but he preceded me in salutation [Al-Muslim]
4. Other events during Miraj
- Choosing to drink Milk over wine, as guided by al-Fitra (الفطرة)
Narrated Abu Huraira:
On the night Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was taken on a night journey (Miraj) two cups, one containing wine and the other milk, were presented to him at Jerusalem. He looked at it and took the cup of milk. Gabriel said, "Praise be to Allah Who guided you to Al-Fitra (the right path); if you had taken (the cup of) wine, your nation would have gone astray." [Al-Bukhari]
-
Backbiters
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "During the Mi'raj (the Night of Ascension), I saw a group of people who were scratching their chests and faces with their copper nails. I asked, 'Who are these people, O Jibril?' Jibril replied: 'These are the people who ate flesh of others (by backbiting) and trampled people's honour."' [Abu Dawud]. - Meeting with Al-Malik – Keeper of Hell
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "On the night of my Ascent to the Heaven, I saw Moses …. I also saw Malik, the gate-keeper of the (Hell) Fire and Ad-Dajjal amongst the signs which Allah showed me. ….” [Al-Bukhari] - Supplications Gabriel taught to Prophet (ﷺ)
Yahya related to me from Malik that Yahya ibn Said said, "When the Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ), was taken on the Night Journey, he saw an evil jinn seeking him with a torch of fire. Whenever the Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ), turned, he saw him. Jibril said to him, 'Shall I teach you some words to say? When you say them, his torch will be put out and will fall from him.' The Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ), said, 'Yes, indeed.' Jibril said, 'Say, 'I seek refuge with the Noble Face of Allah and with the complete words of Allah which neither the good person nor the corrupt can exceed, from the evil of what descends from the sky and the evil of what ascends in it, and from the evil of what is created in the earth and the evil of what comes out of it, and from the trials of the night and day, and from the visitations of the night and day, except for one that knocks with good, O Merciful!" "' [Al-Bukhari]
(أَعُوذُ بِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ الْكَرِيمِ وَبِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّاتِ اللاَّتِي لاَ يُجَاوِزُهُنَّ بَرٌّ وَلاَ فَاجِرٌ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا يَنْزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَشَرِّ مَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا وَشَرِّ مَا ذَرَأَ فِي الأَرْضِ وَشَرِّ مَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمِنْ فِتَنِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَمِنْ طَوَارِقِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ إِلاَّ طَارِقًا يَطْرُقُ بِخَيْرٍ يَا رَحْمَنُ)
- The Prophet (ﷺ) saw 4 rivers:
The Prophet (ﷺ) saw four rivers, two were hidden and two were visible (Nile and Euphrates). It appears that those two rivers symbolically describe the area where Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ) message, i.e. Islam will settle.
Narrated `Abbas bin Malik:>
“…… 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.' ….” [Al-Bukhari]
The reaction of disbelievers to Al-Miraj
When the disbelievers of Makkah heard this news, they laughed and made fun of the Prophet (pbuh) and Muslims. Since, Prophet (pbuh) never visited the mosque in Jerusalem, they asked him to describe it, and Prophet (pbuh) accurately described it. He also provided details of their caravans and routes of their camels. However, the disbeliever didn’t accept the account of the Prophet (pbuh).
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:>
I found myself in Hijr and the Quraish were asking me about my might journey. I was asked about things pertaining to Bait-ul-Maqdis which I could not preserve (in my mind). I was very much vexed, so vexed as I had never been before. Then Allah raised it (Bait-ul-Maqdis) before my eyes. I looked towards it, and I gave them the information about whatever they questioned me. [Al-Muslim, Tafir Ibn Khatir]
Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:
That he heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "When the people of Quraish did not believe me (i.e. the story of my Night Journey), I stood up in Al-Hijr and Allah displayed Jerusalem in front of me, and I began describing it to them while I was looking at it." [Al-Bukhari]
Abu Bakr earned title of As-Siddiq (الصِّدِّيق)
The disbelievers went to Abu Bakr, and ask him that his friend (Mohammad pbuh) say so as so, and he immediately said “Yes, I do verify it”. This earned him the title of As-Siddiq (The verifier of the truth).
Did Prophet (ﷺ) saw Allah (swt) ?
Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Shaqiq said: I said to Abu Dharr, "If I had seen the Messenger of Allah , I would have asked him.'' He said, "What would you have asked him'' He said, "I would have asked him, if he saw his Lord'' He said, "I did ask him that, and he said, «قَدْ رَأَيْتُهُ نُورًا، أَنَّى أَرَاه» (I saw it as light, how could I see Him)'' This is how it was narrated in the report of Imam Ahmad. [Ahmad, Tafsir Ibn Khatir]
Muslim recorded that `Abdullah bin Shaqiq said that Abu Dharr said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah , `Did you see your Lord' He said, «نُورٌ أَنَّى أَرَاه» ((I saw) a light, how could I see Him)'' [Al-Muslim, Tafsir Ibn Khatir]
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Shaqiq:
"I said to Abu Dharr: 'If I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) then I would asked him." He said: 'What is it that you would have asked him about?' I said: 'I would have asked him if Muhammad (ﷺ) his Lord?' He said: 'I did ask him that, and he (ﷺ) said: I saw light.' (نُورٌ أَنَّى أَرَاهُ) " [Al-Tirmidhi]
Did Prophet (ﷺ) experience Nightly Journey physically or by soul ?
Allah (swt) said:
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لَكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ أَحَاطَ بِالنَّاسِ ۚ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّؤْيَا الَّتِي أَرَيْنَاكَ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَالشَّجَرَةَ الْمَلْعُونَةَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ ۚ وَنُخَوِّفُهُمْ فَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلَّا طُغْيَانًا كَبِيرًا
And (remember) when We told you: "Verily! Your Lord has encompassed mankind (i.e. they are in His Grip)." And We made not the vision which we showed you (O Muhammad as an actual eye-witness and not as a dream on the night of Al-Isra') but a trial for mankind, and likewise the accursed tree (Zaqqum, mentioned) in the Quran. We warn and make them afraid but it only increases them in naught save great disbelief, oppression and disobedience to Allah.
- Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
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 added: The sights which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 Qur'an is the tree of Zaqqum (itself) . [Al-Bukhari]
- Ibn Khatir said6:
The Prophet was taken on the Night Journey with body and soul, he was awake, not asleep. The evidence for this is the Ayah:
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِى أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الاٌّقْصَى الَّذِى بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ
Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) Who took His servant for a Journey by Night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, the neighborhood whereof We have blessed.
The words "Subhan Allah'' (Glorified and exalted be Allah) are spoken in the case of serious matters. If it had been a dream, it would have been a significant matter and would not have been so astounding; the disbelievers of the Quraysh would not have hastened to label him a liar and the group of people who had become Muslims would not have deserted the faith. The word `Abd (servant) refers to both soul and body.
Allah says:
أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً
“took His servant for a Journey by Night” [17:1]
And:
وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّءْيَا الَّتِى أَرَيْنَـكَ إِلاَّ فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ
And We made not the vision which we showed you but a trial for mankind 17:60
Ibn `Abbas said: "This is the vision that the Messenger of Allah saw with his own eyes during the Journey by Night, and the cursed tree is the tree of Zaqqum.'' This was recorded by Al-Bukhari.
Allah said:
مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَى
The sight (of Prophet Muhammad ) turned not aside (right or left), nor it transgressed beyond the limit (ordained for it)) [53:17]
Sight (Al-Basr) is a physical faculty, not a spiritual one, and he was carried on Al-Buraq, a shining white animal. This too indicates a physical journey, because the soul does not need a means of transportation of this nature. And Allah knows best. [Tafsir ibn Khatir 17:1]
FOOTNOTE
- The Sealed Nector, Safiurahman Mubarakpuri, Darrussalam, Page 178.
- Tareek At-Tabari, Abi Jafar Mohammad bin Jareer Tabari, Al-Faisal Nashran Urdu Edition, Page 85/87
- For these views see Zadul-Ma’ad, Ibn Qayyum al-Juwzi.
- Bidaya wa Nihaya, Ibn Khatir, Nafees Academy, Urdu Edition 1987, Vol 3, Page159/160.
- Tareek At-Tabari, Abi Jafar Mohammad bin Jareer Tabari, Al-Faisal Nashran Urdu Edition, Page 85
- Tafsir Ibn Khathir