SHAYKH AL ISLAM

Al-Israa' and Al-Mi'raj : A Reward for Patience

The Beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) suffered very much in his efforts to guide his people to their happiness in this world and in the hereafter. He met their opposition and resistance when he was calling to Islam in secrecy and later on when he proclaimed it in public. He still could not perform a proper prayer around the Sacred House while there were 360 idols around it and while any polytheist could come and circumambulate the Sacred House, bow and prostrate himself to his idol without having any trouble or interference.

At the time when men and women used to circumambulate the Sacred House naked, Abu Bakr was beaten when he recited verses from the Qur'an around it. 'Utbah ibn Rabi'ah even slapped his face with his shoes. At that time, Sumayah bint Khiyat and her husband Yasir were beaten to death, while Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Dhar, Khubab, Fatimah bint Al-Khattab, and Zunayrah were beaten unconscious. An economic and social boycott was imposed on the Muslims, prohibiting anyone to sell them food or drink, to marry from them, or to visit them, to the point that they had to eat tree leaves. At the same time, the Quraysh presented to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) offers such as these:

1.    A very generous bribe that would make him the richest man in the whole peninsula

2.    Authority and kingdom so that he would be the first to be obeyed by his people

3.    Medical treatment of his disease if he was ill or psychologically disturbed

4.    An agreement that he would pray to their gods one day and in return they would pray to his God the other day, which would be against his faith

5.  A request that he set places for meeting with the slaves away from the meeting places of the rich, in a compromise based on racial discrimination, which would be against his moral values.

All this would be offered him if he left altogether what he was calling for, or if he left out whatever did not please his people, especially those who had authority and wealth.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) refused but to hold onto the truth and to continue his path. He was exposed to their mockery, insults, and beating despite his esteem and honor among his people. Consequently, he left to another place where he might find refuge and where his call to Islam might be accepted. He went to At-Ta'if, whose people were even more harmful to him than his own people. They neither treated him with the hospitality so famous of the Arabs, nor did they treat him properly as a messenger who had the right to inform them of the word of Allah while they had the right to accept or reject it. They refused to listen and they refused him the right to present his idea in a peaceful way. They set the children and the wicked adults to throw him out like a fugitive who owns nothing but his faith in his God and his determination to continue his call to Islam without giving up any part of it.

Going back to Makkah, his original town, the homeland of his family and his kin and the residence of his wife and children, he was not allowed to enter. He had to take refuge with Al-Mut'am ibn 'Adi. Muhammad turned his face to the sky. He humbly, piously supplicated to God with the best supplication:

O Allah! to You I complain of my weakness, little resource, and lowliness before man. O Most Merciful! You are the Lord of the weak, and You are my Lord. To whom would You confide me? To one afar who will misuse me or to an enemy to whom You have given dominance over me? If You are not angry with me I do not care. Your favor of well-being on me is sufficient for me. I take refuge in the light of Your countenance by which the darkness is illuminated, and the things of this world and the next are rightly ordered, lest Your anger descend upon me or Your wrath not light upon me but come down on me. It is for You to be satisfied until You are well pleased. There is no power and no might except in You.

So Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala rewarded him as follows:

1.  A slave called 'Addas responded to his call to Islam. It is known that to lead one person to the way of Allah is better than having all the treasures of this world.

2.  Allah sent to him a number of jinn who listened to his preaching and returned to their people to warn them.

3.  Six people from Yathrib responded to him and formed a group of pioneers for the call to Islam in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, thereby establishing the foundation for Islam in this land. These six were As'ad ibn Zurarah, 'Awf ibn Al-Harith, Rafi' ibn Malik, Qutbah ibn 'Aamir, 'Uqbah ibn 'Amir, and Jabir ibn 'Abdullah. This happened at a time when all the tribes refused him, including Banu Kalb, Banu Hanifah, Banu 'Amir ibn Sa'sa'ah, Fizarah,

4.  A number of the highly esteemed members of their tribes accepted his call. Among them were the poet Suwaid ibn As-Samit, Iyas ibn Mu'adh, Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari, At-Tufayl ibn 'Amr Ad-Dawsy, the head of the tribe of Daws. 

5.  The Night Journey (Israa') to Jerusalem and the Ascension (Mi'raj) to the Exalted Assembly.

Hadith of the Night Journey and Ascension
Al-Isra' wa Mi'raj

It is narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Malik Radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

I was brought al-burraq who is an animal white and long, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, who would place its hoof at a distance equal to the range of vision. I mounted it and came to Bait-al Maqdis (Jerusalem). I then tethered it to the ring used by the Prophets. I entered the area of the Mosque and prayed two rak'at in it. I then came out and Gabriel alayhis salaam brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. I chose the milk, and Gabriel said, 'You have chosen al-fitra, the natural way'.

He then ascended with me into the lower heavens and requested that they be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He responded: 'Gabriel'. It was then said: 'Who is with you?' He responded: 'Muhammad'. It was then said: 'Has revelation been sent to him?' He responded: 'Revelation has been sent to him'. It was then opened for us and there I was with Adam. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being.

Then we ascended to the second heaven and Gabriel alayhis salaam requested that it be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He responded: 'Gabriel. It was then said: 'Who is with you?' He responded: 'Muhammad'. It was then said: 'Has revelation been sent to him?' He responded: 'Revelation has been sent to him'. It was then opened for us and when I entered Jesus and John welcomed me and prayed for my well-being.

Gabriel alayhis salaamthen ascended with me to the third heaven and requested that it be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He responded: 'Gabriel'. It was then said: 'Who is with you?' He responded: 'Muhammad'. It was then said: 'Has revelation been sent to him?' He responded: 'Revelation has been sent to him'. It was then opened for us and there I was with Joseph, who was given a great portion of beauty. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being.

Gabriel then ascended with me to the fourth heaven and requested that it be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He responded: 'Gabriel'. It was then said: 'Who is with you?' He responded: 'Muhammad'. It was then said: 'Has revelation been sent to him?' He responded: 'Revelation has been sent to him'. It was then opened for us and there I was with Enoch. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being.

Gabriel alayhis salaamthen ascended with me to the fifth heaven and requested that it be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He responded: 'Gabriel'. It was then said: 'Who is with you?' He responded: 'Muhammad'. It was then said: 'Has revelation been sent to him?' He responded: 'Revelation has been sent to him'. It was then opened for us and there I was with Aaron. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being.

Gabriel alayhis salaam then ascended with me to the sixth heaven and requested that it be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He responded: 'Gabriel'. It was then said: 'Who is with you?' He responded: 'Muhammad'. It was then said: 'Has revelation been sent to him?' He responded: 'Revelation has been sent to him'. It was then opened for us and there I was with Moses. He welcomed me and prayed for my well-being.

Gabriel alayhis salaam then ascended with me to the seventh heaven and requested that it be opened. It was said: 'Who are you?' He responded: 'Gabriel'. It was then said: 'Who is with you?' He responded: 'Muhammad'. It was then said: 'Has revelation been sent to him?' He responded: 'Revelation has been sent to him'. It was then opened for us and there I was with Abraham who was leaning against the bayt al-ma'mur into which enter seventy thousand angels each day never to return.

Then I was brought to the sidrat al-muntaha, the Lote Tree of the Furthest Limit, whose leaves were like the ears of an elephant and whose fruits at first appeared insignificant. But when Allah spread His command over them they transformed to the point where no one in creation could describe their beauty. Then Allah revealed what He revealed to me. He then made obligatory for me fifty prayers every night and day.

I began my descent until I reached Moses who asked me: 'What has your Lord made obligatory for your community?' I said to him, 'Fifty prayers.' He then said, 'Return to your Lord and ask Him to reduce them, your community will not be able to bear that. I know the people of Israel from long experience and I have tested them.' I then returned to my Lord and said, 'O Lord, make things lighter for my people'. He then reduced it by five prayers for me. I then returned to Moses and he said to me, 'Your community will not be able to stand that. So return and ask Him to make things lighter.' I kept going between my Lord and Moses until Allah said, 'O Muhammad, there are five prayers every night and day. Each prayer is equal to ten prayers making them equal to fifty prayers. Whoever intends a good deed and does not do it, there will be written for him a single good deed. If he does it then there will be written for him ten good deeds. Whoever intends an evil deed and does not do it then there is nothing written against him. If he does it then there is written for him one evil deed.'

I then descended until I reached Moses and informed him of what had occurred. He then said to me, 'Return to your Lord and ask Him to make things lighter.' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace then said, 'I have returned to my Lord until I felt ashamed before Him."

Before the Prophet took this night journey, the ceiling of the house in which he was staying was opened, and Jibrail alayhis-salaam descended. He cut open the chest (from the throat to the lower part of his abdomen) of the Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and washed that open area with Zam-zam water. Then he emptied something from a container into the chest of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam to increase his wisdom as well as the strength of his belief. This was done to prepare the Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam for that which he had yet to see in the upper world from among the wonders of the creation of Allah.

The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam then noticed a fragrant wind and said: "O Jibrail, what is this sweet scent?" He replied: "This is the scent of the lady who combed the hair of Fir'awn's (Pharoah) daughter and that of her children. As she combed the hair of Fir'awn's daughter the comb fell and she said:

bismillah ta'isa fir'awn -- (In the name of Allah, may Fir'awn perish!)

Whereupon Fir'awn's daughter said: Do you have a Lord other than my father?
She said yes.
Fir'awn's daughter said: Shall I tell my father?
She said yes.
She told him and he summoned her and said: Do you have a Lord other than me?
She replied: Yes, my Lord and your Lord is Allah.


This woman had two sons and a husband. Fir'awn summoned them and he began to entice the woman and her husband to renege on their religion, but they refused. He said: Then I shall kill you. She said: Be so good as to bury us all together in a single grave if you kill us. He replied: Granted, and it is your right to ask us. He then ordered that a huge cow made of copper be filled with boiling liquid (oil and water) and that the hairdresser and her children be thrown into it. The children were taken and thrown in one after the other. The second and youngest was still an infant at the breast. When they took him he said: Mother! fall and do not delay for verily you are on the truth. Then she was thrown in with her children."

He (Ibn Abbas) said: "Four spoke from the cradle as they were still infants: this child, Yusuf's alayhis-salaam witness (cf. 12:26), Jurayj's companion, and 'Isa ibn Maryam."

Then they came to a plank in the middle of the road which not even a piece of cloth nor less than that could cross except it would be pierced. The beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam said: "What is this, O Jibrail?"

Jibrail alayhis salam replied: "This is what happens to those of your Community who sit in the middle of the road and cut it" and he recited:

wa la taq'adu bi kulli siratin tu'iduna wa tasudduna 'an sabilillah man amana bihi wa tabtaghunaha 'iwajan

Lurk not on every road to threaten wayfarers and to turn away from Allah's path him who believes in Him, and to seek to make it crooked (7:86).

''Who are these people?''

Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam replied;

Afterward they passed by people with nails of brass, who were scratching their faces and chests. The Beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam asked;

'' These are those people who used to backbite and insult others, they ate the flesh of people and tarnished their reputations."

''O Jibra'il! What is this?''

Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam replied,

Then the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam came across a valley. Here he heard an awful sound and smelled a stench-carrying wind.The Beloved of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam asked;


''O Jibra'il! What is this?''


Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam replied; ''This is the voice of the Hell-Fire''.


It was saying, ''O my Lord! Gave me what did you promise with me,
Certainly, my chins, my iron necks, my fire, my boiling water, my ugly trees and my punishment are increased. My depth is increased. My flames became strong. So bring to me what You promised me.


Almighty Allah replied,

The Beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam saw Dajjaal [anti-christ] whilst in a fully awaken state.


It was said, ''Yaa Rasulullah! How did you see him?


Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam replied,

Soon after the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam saw a pillar, shining like a pearl, which was being held by the angels.


Nabi-e-karim Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam asked;  ''What are you holding?''

[The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam called Syria the purest of Allah's lands, the place where Religion, belief and safety are found in the time of dissension, and the home of the saints for whose sake Allah sends sustenance to the people and victory to Muslims over their enemies:

Whilst the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was going, suddenly someone called him from his right side,

The Beloved of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not answer him. But he asked,

Afterwards, the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam came across a lady. She was extremely attractive decked with every female ornament Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala had created. Her arms were exposed. She requested, ''O Muhammad ! Look at me, I will ask you.''


The Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not attend her. Then he asked, ''O Jibra'il ! Who was she?''


Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam replied,

Whilst the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was on his way, suddenly he came across an old man who was calling him to his side of the way,  ''O' Muhammad ! Come towards me''


Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam requested, ''Keep on going, O' Muhammad ''


The Beloved of Allah ta'ala Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam asked,  ''O Jibra'il! Who is this?''


Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam replied,  ''This was an enemy of Almighty Allah. He intended to divert you to himself.''

Next, the Beloved Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam saw an old lady on one side of the way who was saying,


''O Muhammad ! Look towards me''


The Beloved of Allah ta'ala Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not turn to her but instead asked,


''O Jibra'il! Who is this lady?''


Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam replied, ''This is an example of the life of this world, where so much life has passed. It has as much left to live as the remaining lifetime of this old woman."''

Welcome to the unlettered Arabian Prophet who has conveyed the message of his Lord and acted with perfect sincerity with his Community!

'O my son, you are going to meet your Lord tonight, and your Community is the last and the weakest of all Communities -- therefore, if you are able to have your need fulfilled concerning your Community, or most of it, be sure to do it!

This took place before his ascension according to the highest probability. Najm al-Din al-Ghiti said: "The narrations agree to the fact that the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam prayed among the other Prophets in Jerusalem before his ascension." This is one of the two possibilities mentioned by Qadi 'Iyad Radi Allahu anhu. Hafiz Ibn Hajar Radi Allahu anhu said: "This is apparently the case. The second possibility is that he prayed among them after he came down from the heaven, and they came down also." Ibn Kathir Radi Allahu anhu also declared the former scenario as the sound one. Some said: "What is the objection to the possibility that the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam prayed among them twice, since some of the hadiths mention that he led them in prayer after his ascent?"]

Praise to Allah Who has made taken me as His intimate friend, Who has given me an immense kingdom, Who has made me a prayerful Community and one by whom prayer is led, Who has rescued me from the fire and made it cool and safe for me!

Praise be to Allah Who has spoken to me directly, Who has brought to pass the destruction of Fir'awn and the salvation of the Children of Israel at my hands, and Who has made from among my Community a people who guide others through truth and establish justice upon it!

Praise be to Allah Who has brought me an immense kingdom, Who has softened iron for my hands, and subjected to me the mountains and the birds which laud Him, and has given me wisdom and unmistakable judgment in my speech!

Praise be to Allah Who has subjected the winds to my command as well as the devils, so that they did as I wished and constructed for me elevated sanctuaries, images, large bowls the size of ponds, and vessels fixed in their spot (due to their size), Who has taught me the language of birds and has brought me a part of every good thing, Who has subjected to me the armies of the devils and the birds and has preferred me over many of His believing servants, Who has brought me an immense kingdom which no one after me may possess, and Who has made my kingdom a goodly one wherein there is no reckoning nor punishment!

Every Prophet [Allah bless them and give them peace] then glorified his Lord in the best of language, and the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam said: ''All of you have glorified their Lord and I am going to glorify my Lord also'':

al-hamdu lillah al-ladhi arsalani rahmatan li al-'alamin

wa kaffatan li al-nasi bashiran wa nadhira

wa anzala 'alayya al-qur’ana fihi tibyanun li kulli shay’

wa ja'ala ummati khayra ummatin ukhrijat li al-nas

wa ja'ala ummati wasatan

wa ja'ala ummati hum al-awwaluna wa al-akhirun

wa sharaha li sadri wa wada 'a anni wazri

wa rafa'a li dhikri

wa ja'alani fatihan khatiman!

Praise belongs to Allah Who has sent me, a mercy to the worlds

Sent to all without exception, a bearer of glad tidings and a warner,

Who has caused to descend upon me the Qur'an in which there is a perfect exposition of all things,

Who has made my Community the best Community ever brought out for the benefit of mankind,

Who has made my Community a mean and a middle,

Who has made my Community in truth the first and the last of all Communities,

Who has expanded my breast and has relieved me of my burden,

Who has exalted my name,

And has made me the Opener and the Sealer!

Upon hearing this Ibrahim 'alayhis-salaam then remarked 'this is why Muhammad is better than you.'

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Then they brought up the matter of the Hour and referred it to Ibrahim 'alayhis salaam, but he said: "I have no knowledge of it." They turned to Musa 'alayhis salaam but he said: "I have no knowledge of it." They turned to Isa 'alayhis salaam and he said:

As for the time when it shall befall, no one knows it except Allah. As for what my Lord has assured me (concerning what precedes it), then: the Dajjal or Antichrist will come forth and I will face him with two rods. At my sight he shall melt like lead: Allah shall cause his destruction as soon as he sees me. It will be so that the very stones will say: O' Muslim, behind me hides a disbeliever, therefore come and kill him! And Allah shall cause them all to die.

People will then return to their countries and nations. At that time Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) shall come out. They will come from every direction. They will trample all nations underfoot. Whatever they come upon they will destroy. They will drink up every body of water.

At last the people will come to me complaining about them. At that time I will invoke Allah against them so that He will destroy them and cause their death until the whole earth will reek of their stench. Allah will send down rain which shall carry their bodies away and hurl them into the sea.

I have been assured by my Lord that once all this takes place then the Hour will be as the pregnant mother at the last stages of her pregnancy. Her family does not know when she shall suddenly give birth by night or by day. (End of al-Shami's addition)

Then the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam was brought the ladder by which the spirits of the children of Adam alayhis-salaam ascend. Creation never saw a more beautiful object; it had alternate stairs of silver and gold and came down from the Highest and Amplest Garden of Paradise, Jannat al-firdaws. It was incrusted with pearls and surrounded with angels on its right and left.

The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam began his ascent with Jibrail alayhis-salaam until they reached one of the gates of the nearest heaven called Bab al-hafazha. There an angel stood guard, named Isma'il, who was the custodian of the nearest heaven. He inhabits the wind. He never ascends to the heaven nor descends to earth except on the day that the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam left his life on earth. In front of him stood seventy thousand angels, each angel commanding an army of seventy thousand more.

The Beloved Prophet of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam began his ascent with Jibrail 'alayhis-salaam until they reached one of the gates of the nearest heaven called Bab al-hafazha. There an angel stood guard, named Isma'il, who was the custodian of the nearest heaven. He inhabits the wind. He never ascends to the heaven nor descends to earth except on the day that the Beloved Prophet left the temporary world, blessings and peace upon him. In front of him stood seventy thousand angels, each angel commanding an army of seventy thousand more.

Jibrail 'alayhis-salaam asked for the gate to be opened. Someone said:

- "Who is this?"

- "Jibrail."

- "Who is with you?

- "Muhammad."

- "Has he been sent for?"

- "Yes."

- "Welcome to him, from his family! May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala grant him long life, a brother (of ours) and a deputy (of Allah), and what excellent brother and deputy! What an excellent visit is this!"

The gate was opened. When they came in they saw Adam, peace be upon him, the father of humanity, as he was on the day Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala created him in his complete form. The spirits of the Prophets and of his believing offspring were being shown to him, whereupon he would say: "A goodly spirit and a goodly soul, put her in the Highest! ('illiyyin)." Then the spirits of his unbelieving offspring would be shown to him and he would say: "A foul spirit and a foul soul, put her in the lowest layer of Hell! (sijjin)."

The Beloved Prophet of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam saw to Adam alayhis-salaam's right great dark masses and a gate exuding a fragrant smell, and to his left great dark masses and a gate exuding a foul, malodorant smell. Whenever Adam alayhis-salaam looked to his right he would smile and be happy, and whenever he looked to his left he would be sad and weep. The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam greeted him and Adam alayhis-salaam returned his greeting and said: "Welcome to the righteous son and the righteous Prophet!"

The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said: "What is this, O Jibrail?" He replied: "This is your father Adam and the dark throngs are the souls of his children. Those on the right are the people of Paradise and those on the left are the people of the Fire. Whenever he looks to his right he smiles and is glad, and whenever he looks to his left he is sad and weeps. The door to his right is the gate of Paradise. Whenever he sees those of his offspring enter it he smiles happily. The door to his left is the gate of Gehenna. Whenever he sees those of his offspring enter it he weeps sadly.

(al-Shami added:) Then the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam continued for a little while. He saw a tablespread on which there were pieces of (good) meat which no one approached, and another tablespread on which were pieces of rotten meat which stank, surrounded by people who were eating it. The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam asked: "O Jibra'il, who are these?" He replied: "These are those of your Community who abandon what is lawful and go to what is unlawful."

(One version says:) The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam saw a great deal of people gathered around a tablespread on which was set grilled meat of the best kind one had ever seen. Near the table there was some carrion decaying. The people were coming to the carrion to eat from it, and they were leaving the grilled meat untouched. The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam asked: "Who are they, O Jibra'il?" He replied: "The adulterers (al-zunat): they make lawful what Allah has made unlawful, and they abandon what Allah has made lawful for them."

Then the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam went on for a little while. He saw groups of people whose sides were being cut off for meat and they were being devoured. They were being told: "Eat, just as you used to eat the flesh of your brother." The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said: "O Jibra'il, who are these?" He replied: "They are the slanderers of your Community who would bring shame to others." (End of al-Shami's addition.)

Then the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam continued for a little while, and he found the consumers of usury and of the property of orphans, and the fornicators and adulterers, and others, in various loathsome states as those that have been described, and worse.

Then they ascended to the second heaven. Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam asked for the gate to be opened. He was asked:

- "Who is this?"

- "Jibra'il."

- "Who is with you?

- "Muhammad."

- "Has he been sent for?"

- "Yes, he has indeed been sent for."

- "Welcome to him, from his family! May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant him long life, a brother (of ours) and a deputy (of Allah), and what excellent brother and deputy! What an excellent visit is this!"

The gate was opened. When they came in they saw Yusuf alayhis salaam, and with him stood a large company of his people. The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam greeted him and he returned his greeting and said: "Welcome to the righteous brother and the righteous Prophet!" Then he invoked for goodness on his behalf.

Yusuf alayhis salaam had been granted the gift of beauty. One narration says: He was the most handsome creation that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala had ever created and he surpassed people in beauty the way the full moon surpasses all other stars. The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam asked: "Who is this, O' Jibra'il?" He replied: "Your brother Yusuf."

After this the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam ascended to the third heaven. Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam asked for the gate to be opened. Someone asked :

- "Who is this?"

- "Jibra'il."

- "Who is with you?

- "Muhammad."

- "Has he been sent for?"

- "Yes, he has indeed been sent for."

- "Welcome to him, from his family! May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant him long life, a brother (of ours) and a deputy (of Allah), and what excellent brother and deputy! What an excellent visit is this!"

After this the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam ascended to the third heaven. Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam asked for the gate to be opened. Someone asked :

- "Who is this?"

- "Jibra'il."

- "Who is with you?

- "Muhammad."

- "Has he been sent for?"

- "Yes, he has indeed been sent for."

- "Welcome to him, from his family! May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant him long life, a brother (of ours) and a deputy (of Allah), and what excellent brother and deputy! What an excellent visit is this!"

After this the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam ascended to the third heaven. Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam asked for the gate to be opened. Someone asked :

- "Who is this?"

- "Jibra'il."

- "Who is with you?

- "Muhammad."

- "Has he been sent for?"

- "Yes, he has indeed been sent for."

- "Welcome to him, from his family! May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant him long life, a brother (of ours) and a deputy (of Allah), and what excellent brother and deputy! What an excellent visit is this!"

The gate was opened. The Most Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam passed by Prophets who had with them less than ten followers in all, while others had a large company, and others had not even one follower.

Then he saw a huge dark mass (sawad 'azhim) that was covering the firmament. He said: "What is this throng?" He was told: "This is Musa and his people. Now raise your head and look." He raised his head and saw another huge dark mass that was covering the firmament from every direction he looked. He was told: "These are your Community, and besides these there are seventy thousand of them that will enter Paradise without giving account."

As they went in the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam saw Musa ibn 'Imran 'alayhis salaam (again), a tall man with brown complexion, similar to one of the shanu'a -- the (Yemeni) men of pure lineage and manly virtue -- with abundant hair. If he had two shirts on him, still his hair would exceed them. The Prophet greeted him and he returned his greeting and said: "Welcome to the righteous brother and the righteous Prophet!" Then he invoked for goodness on his behalf and said: "The people claim that among the sons of Adam I am more honoured by Allah than this one, but it is he who is more honoured by Allah than me!"

When the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam reached him Musa 'alayhis salaam wept. He was asked: "What is it that makes you weep?" He replied: "I weep because a child that was sent after me will enter more people in Paradise from his Community than will enter from mine. The children of Israel claim that among the children of Adam 'alayhis salaam I am the one most honoured by Allah, but here is one man among the children of Adam who has come after me in the world while I am in the next world (and is more honored). If he were only by himself I would not mind, but he has his Community with him!"

[This is the proof of the famous saying of the master Abu Yazid al-Bistami Radi Allahu anhu : "We have crossed an ocean on the shore of which the Prophets stood befuddled." That is: We -- the Last Community -- have been granted, in the person of the Seal of Prophets, levels of knowledge, election, and divine favour which previous Prophets have longed to receive. This does not contradict the tenet of Ahl al-Sunnah expressed by Imam al-Tahawi Radi Allahu anhu in his 'Aqida whereby "A single Prophet is higher in rank than all awliya' put together."]

After this the Most Beloved of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam and Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam ascended to the third heaven. Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam asked for the gate to be opened. Someone asked :

- "Who is this?"

- "Jibra'il."

- "Who is with you?

- "Muhammad."

- "Has he been sent for?"

- "Yes, he has indeed been sent for."

- "Welcome to him, from his family! May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant him long life, a brother (of ours) and a deputy (of Allah), and what excellent brother and deputy! What an excellent visit is this!"

Then Ibrahim 'alayhis-salaam said: "Order your Community to increase their seedlings of Paradise for its soil is excellent and its land is plentiful." The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam' said: "What are the seedlings of Paradise?" He replied: la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah al-'ali al-'azhim "There is no change nor might except with Allah the High, the Almighty."

Another version says:

Convey my greetings to your Community and tell them that Paradise has excellent soil and sweet water, and that its seedlings are:

subhan allah: Glory to Allah
wa al-hamdu lillah: and Praise to Allah
wa la ilaha illallah: and there is no god but Allah
wallahu akbar: and Allah is greatest.

---

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With Ibrahim 'alayhis salaam were sitting a company of people with pristine faces similar to the whiteness of a blank page, and next to them were people with something in their faces. The latter stood and entered a river in which they bathed. Then they came out having purified some of their hue. Then they entered another river and bathed and came out having purified some more. Then they entered a third river and bathed and purified themselves and their hue became like that of their companions. They came back and sat next to them.

The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said: "O Jibra'il, who are those with white faces and those who had something in their hues, and what are these rivers in which they entered and bathed?" He replied: "The ones with white faces are a people who never tarnished their belief with injustice or disobedience; those with something in their hues are a people who would mix good deeds with bad ones, then they repented and Allah relented towards them. As for these rivers, then the first is Allah's mercy (rahmatullah), the second his favour (ni'matullah), and the third and their Lord gave them a pure beverage to drink (wa saqahum rabbuhum sharaban tahuran) (76:21)."

Then the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was told: "This is your place and the place of your Community." He saw that his Community were divided into two halves: one half were wearing clothes that seemed as white as a blank page, the other were wearing clothes that seemed the color of ashes or dust. He entered the Inhabited House and those who were wearing the white clothes entered with him. Those that wore ash-colored clothes were no longer able to see him, and yet they were in the best of states. The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam prayed in the Inhabited House together with those of the believers that were with him.

Every day seventy thousand angels enter the Inhabited House, who shall never return to it until the Day of Resurrection. This House is exactly superposed to the Ka'bah. If one stone fell from it it would fall on top of the Ka'bah. The angels who have entered it never see it again.

One version states the presentation of vessels in front of Allah's Most Beloved, the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's choice of the vessel of milk, and Jibra'il 'alayhis-salam's approval took place at this point. It was said:

(al-Shami adds:) al-Tabarani cites this hadith with a sound chain: "The night I was enraptured I passed by the heavenly host, and lo and behold! Jibra'il was like the worn-out saddle-cloth on the camel's back from fear of his Lord." One of al-Bazzar's narrations states: "like a saddle-blanket that clings to the ground."

[Shaykh Muhammad ibn Alawi 'alayhir rahman said: "Of the same meaning is the hadith: kun hilsan min ahlasi baytik Be one of the saddle blankets of your house, that is: keep to it in times of dissension.]

The Lote-Tree of the Farthest Limit  [Sidra t'al Muntaha]

Then the Beloved of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was raised up to the Lote-Tree of the Farthest Limit. There ends whatever ascends from the earth before it is seized, and whatever descends from above before it is seized.

[al-Dardir said: "This is the eighth ascension, meaning that it is the ascension to what is higher than the Lote-tree by means of the eighth step, so that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam reached the top height of its branches in the eighth firmament which is called al-Kursi -- the Chair, or Footstool -- which is made of a white pearl. This is found in al-Qalyubi, and it is the apparent sense of the account. However, it is contradicted by what is mentioned later: "Then he came to the Kawthar," because the Kawthar, like the remainder of the rivers, flows from the base of the Tree, not from its top, and the account goes on to say after this: "Then he was raised up to the Lote-tree of the Farthest Limit." It follows that the raising up to the Lote-tree took place more than once, but undoubtedly this is dubious for whoever ponders it. I saw in al-Ajhuri's account here: "Then he came to the Lote-tree of the farthest boundary, there ends etc." and this is correct as it does not signify being raised up. This makes it clear that he came to the Tree and saw at its base the rivers -- which are soon to be mentioned -- and he travelled towards the Kawthar. What the narrator said later: "Then he was raised to the Lote-tree of the Farthest Limit etc." indicates that the eighth ascension took place at that later point and that the present stage is only an exposition of his coming to the base of the Tree which is in the seventh heaven. Another narration states that it is in the sixth heaven. What harmonizes the two is that its base is in the sixth heaven while its branches and trunk are in the seventh."]

It is a tree from the base of which issue rivers whose water is never brackish (it does not change in taste, or color, or smell, and the sweat of those who drink it in Paradise has the fragrance of musk); and rivers of milk whose taste does not change after it is drunk; and rivers of wine which brings only pleasure to those who drink it; and rivers of purified honey. Someone on his mount could travel under its shade for seventy years and still not come out of it. The lotus fruit that grows on it resembles the jars of Hijar (near Madina). Its leaves are shaped like the ears of the she-elephant, and each leaf could wrap up this Community entirely. One version says: One of its leaves could wrap up all creatures.

On top of each leaf there was an angel who covered it with colors which cannot be described. Whenever he covered it by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala's order it would change. One version says: It would turn into sapphire and chrysolite the beauty of which it is impossible for anyone to praise according to what its merit. On it were moths of gold.

From the base of the tree issued four (more) rivers: two hidden rivers and two visible ones. The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam asked: "What are these, O' Jibra'il? He replied: "As for the hidden ones, they are two rivers of Paradise. The visible ones are the Nile and the Euphrates."

[Ibn Kathir 'alayhir rahman said: What is meant by this, and Allah knows best, is that these two rivers (the Nile and the Euphrates) resemble the rivers of Paradise in their purity and sweetness and fluidity and such of their qualities, as the Most Beloved of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayra Radi Allahu anhu: al-'ajwa min al-janna "Date pastry is from paradise," that is: it resembles the fruit of Paradise, not that it itself originates in Paradise. For if that were the meaning then the senses would testify to the contrary. Therefore the meaning which imposes itself is other than that. Similarly the source of origin of these rivers is on earth.]

(al-Shami added:) One version says: At the base of the tree ran a source called Salsabil. From it issued two rivers: one is the Kawthar. (The Prophet said:) "I saw it flowing impetuously, roaring, at the speed of arrows. Near it were pavilions of pearl (lu'lu'), sapphire (yaqut), and chrysolite (zabarjad) on top of which nested green birds more delicate than any you have ever seen. On its banks were vessels of gold and silver. It ran over pebbles made of sapphire and emerald (zumurrud). Its water was whiter than milk."

The Best of Creation Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam took one of the vessels and scooped some water and drank. It was sweeter than honey and more fragrant than musk. Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam said to him: "This is the river which Allah has given you as a special gift, and the other river is the River of Mercy." The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam bathed in it and his past and future sins were forgiven. (End of al-Shami's addition.)

One version says: At the Lote-tree of the Farthest Limit the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam saw Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam (in his angelic form). He had six hundred wings. Every single wing could cover the entire firmament. From his wings embellishments were strewn in all directions, such as rare pearls and sapphires of a kind Allah alone knows. Then the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was taken to the Kawthar and entered Paradise. Lo and behold! It contains what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor human mind ever imagined. On its gate he saw written:

The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said: "O Jibra'il, how can the loan be more meritorious than charity?" He replied: "Because one asking for charity may still have some need left, while the borrower does not borrow except his need is fulfilled."

The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam continued to travel until he reached rivers of milk whose taste does not change, and rivers of wine which bring only pleasure to those who drink it, and rivers of honey purified, and overhanging those rivers were domes of hollowed pearl whose circumference is like the Aquarius star.

Another narration says:

[This is an indication of the rank of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu ta'ala anhu in Paradise, as the Noble Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's hope, like his petition, is granted. Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Alawi alayhir rahman said: "From all this it can be known that Paradise and the Fire exist already, that the Lote-tree of the Farthest Boundary is outside Paradise, ]

[Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Alawi alayhir rahman said: The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's greeting of Malik before Malik greeted him first agrees with the subsequent wording of more than one narrator whereby the Most Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said: "I greeted him and he returned my greeting and welcomed me, but he did not smile at me" etc. and this is found in some of the narrations. However, the correct narration, as the compiler and others have said, is that it is Malik who greeted the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam first in order to dispel the harshness of his sight since his face showed severity and anger. It is possible to harmonize the two versions with the fact that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam saw Malik more than once, so that Malik was first to greet the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam the first time, as we said, while the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was first to greet Malik second time, in order to dispel estrangement and to inspire familiarity. Know also that the Most Beloved of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's sight of Malik was not in the same form that those who are being punished see him.]

Then the Beloved of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam saw his Lord, the Glorious, the Exalted, and he fell prostrate, and at that time his Lord spoke to him and said: "O Muhammad!" He replied: "At your service, O Lord!" Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala said: "Ask! (sal)." The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam  said:

Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala said: "And I have taken you to Myself as My beloved." The narrator said: It is written in the Torah: habibullah "Allah's Beloved." Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala continued:

(al-Shami added:) Abu Hurayra radi Allahu anhu said: Allah's Beloved Messenger Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam said:

And he has been given three particular merits: He is the Master of Messengers (sayyid al-mursalin), the Leader of the Godwary (imam al-muttaqin), and the Chief of those with signs of light on their faces and limbs (qa'id al-ghurr al-muhajjalin). (End of al-Shami's addition.)

One narration says:

The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam turned to Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam to consult him. The latter indicated to him that yes, if you wish, then return. The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam hurried back until he reached the Tree and the cloud cloaked him and he fell prostrate. Then he said: "Lord, make lighter the burden of my Community for verily they are the weakest of all Communities." He replied: I have removed five prayers from their obligation."

Then the cloud was dispelled and Allah ta'alas' Habeeb Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam returned to Musa 'alayhis-salaam and told him: "He has removed five prayers from my obligation." He replied: "Go back to your Lord and ask him to make it less, for in truth your Community will not be able to carry that." The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not cease to go back and forth between Musa 'alayhis-salaam and his Lord, while Allah each time reduced it by five prayers, until Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala said: "O Muhammad!" The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said: "At Your service, O Lord!" He said: "Let them be five prayers every day and night, and let every prayer count as ten. That makes fifty prayers. This word of Mine shall not be changed nor shall My Book be abrogated. Let whoever is about to perform a good deed, even if he does not ultimately do it, receive the reward of doing it, while if he does it, he shall receive it tenfold. Let whoever is about to commit a bad deed, and he does not ultimately do it, let not anything be written against him, while if he does it, let one misdeed be written against him."

Then the cloud was dispelled and the Beloved of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam returned to Musa 'alayhis-salaam and told him: "He has removed five prayers from my obligation." He replied: "Go back to your Lord and ask him to make it less, for in truth your Community will not be able to carry that." The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said: "I have gone back again to my Lord until I feel shy from Him. Rather, I accept and submit." At this a herald called out: "I have decreed My obligation and have reduced the burden of My servants." Musa 'alayhis-salaam then said to the Most Noble Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam: "Go down in the name of Allah."

The Beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam did not pass a throng of angels except they said to him: "You must practice cupping ('alayka bi al-hijama)," and in another version: "Order cupping to your Community."

[Cupping: The process of drawing blood from the body by scarification (scratches or superficial incisions in the skin) and the application of a cupping glass (in which a partial vacuum is created, as by heat) without scarification, as for relieving internal congestion. Webster's.]

As the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam was descending he asked Jibra'il 'alayhis salaam: "Why did I not see any of the people of heaven except they welcomed me and smiled at me except one: I greeted him and he greeted me back and welcomed me, but he did not smile at me?" He replied: "That was Malik the custodian of the Fire. He never smiled once since the day he was created. If he had ever smiled for anyone, it would have been you."

When the Most Noble Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam reached the nearest heaven he looked below it and he saw a dense cloud of smoke filled with din. He asked: "What is this, O Jibra'il?" He replied: "These are the devils that swarm over the eyes of human beings so that they will not think about the dominions of the heavens and the earth, or else they would have seen wonders."

Then he mounted the Burraq again (which he had tied in Jerusalem) and departed. He passed by a caravan of the Quraysh in such-and-such a place (the narrator forgot the name) and saw a camel upon which were tied two containers, a black one and a white one. When he came face to face with the caravan there was a stampede in which the caravan turned around and that camel was thrown down to the ground and its freight broke.

Then the Beloved of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam passed by another caravan who had lost one of their camels which the tribe of So-and-so had rounded up. The Most Noble Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam greeted them and one of them said: "This is the voice of Muhammad!" after which the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam returned to his Companions in Makkah shortly before morning.

Abu Jahl decided not to belie the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam for fear the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam would deny having said this to him if he went and told the people of Makkah, so he said: "What do you think if I called your people here? Will you tell them what you just told me?" The Beloved Propeht Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam said yes. Abu Jahl cried out: "O assembly of the Children of Ka'b ibn Lu'ay, come hither!" People left their gatherings and came until they all sat next around the two of them. Abu Jahl said: "Tell your people what you just told me." Allah's Beloved Messenger Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam said: "I was enraptured last night." They said: "To where?" The Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam replied: "To the Hallowed House." They said: "Then you woke up here among us?" He replied: "Yes." There was no one left except he clapped his hands, or held his head in amazement, or clamored and considered it an enormity.

Al-Mut'im ibn 'Adi (he died a disbeliever) said: "All of your affair before today was bearable, until what you said today. I bear witness that you are a liar (ana ashhadu annaka kadhibun). We strike the flanks of the she-camels for one month to reach the Hallowed House, then for another month to come back, and you claim that you went there in one night! By al-Lat, by al-'Uzza! I do not believe you."

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu ta'ala anhu said: "O Mut'im, what an evil thing you said to the son of your brother when you faced him thus and declared him a liar! As for me I bear witness that he spoke the truth (ana ashhadu annahu sadiqun)."

The people said: "O Muhammad, describe the Hallowed House for us. How is it built, what does it look like, how near is it to the mountain." There were some among them who had travelled there. He Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam began to describe it for them: "Its structure is like this, its appearance like this, its proximity to the mountain is such-and-such," and he did not stop describing it to them until he began to have doubt about the description. He was seized with an anxiety he had not felt before, whereupon he was immediately brought to the mosque itself (in Jerusalem) and saw it in front of him. He was placed outside the gate of 'Aqil or 'Iqal. The people said: "How many gates does the mosque have?" He had not counted them before. He looked at the gates and began to count them one by one and to inform them. All the while Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu ta'ala anhu was saying: "You have spoken the truth. You have spoken the truth. I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah (sadaqta sadaqta ashhadu annaka rasulullah)."

The people said: "As for the description, then, by Allah, he is correct." They turned to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu ta'ala anhu  and said: "But do you believe what he said, that he went last night to the Hallowed House and came back before morning?" He replied: "Yes, and I do believe him regarding what is farther than that. I believe the news of heaven he brings, whether in the space of a morning or in that of an evening journey (na'am inni la usaddiquhu fima huwa ab'adu min dhalika usaddiqu bi khabari al-sama'i fi ghudwatin aw rawhatin)." Because of this Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu ta'ala anhu was named al-Siddiq: the Most Truthful, the One Who Never Lies.

wa ma ja'alna al-ru'ya al-lati araynaka illa fitnatan li al-nas

We appointed not the vision which we showed you but as a test for mankind. (17:60)

Leave Me to deal with him whom I created lonely,
and then bestowed upon him ample means,
and sons abiding in his presence
and made life smooth for him.
Yet he desires that I should give more.
Nay, for lo! He has been stubborn to Our revelations.
On him I shall impose a fearful doom.
For lo! He did consider; then he planned --
Self-destroyed is he, how he planned!
Again, self-destroyed is he, how he planned! --
Then looked he,
Then frowned he and showed displeasure.
Then turned he away in pride
and said: This is naught else than magic from of old;
This is naught else than speech of mortal man.
Him shall I fling unto the burning. (74:11-26)]

THE QUERY: A question was presented regarding the Me'raj of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam and the answer was given as found below by Allama Mahmood Jaan alayhir rahman [Khalifa-e-A'la Hadrat Barelwi].

THE ANSWER: This question is in five parts:

1. From where to where did the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam go during the Me'raj?

2. Did he Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam journey with body or only spiritually?

3. What is the answer to the issues in the case of physical Me'raj as mentioned by Hadrat Ameer Muawiyah and Sayyida Aisha Siddiqa radi Allahu anhuma?

4. Did the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam see Almighty Allah with the eyes of his head on the night of Me'raj or did he see through the heart only?

5. What is the rule regarding those who reject the Me'raj?

The answer to numbers one, two and five are as follows, through the Grace of Allah: The Me'raj of the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam is a reality and a belief of the Ahl as-Sunnat Wa Jama'at [the greatest majority] mass of muslims. It is proven from the Noble Qur'an, the Sunnah [tradition of the Prophet] and from Ijma [scholarly consensus]. The journey from Makkah, to Masjid-e-Aqsa and from there to Syria is proven from authentic verses and one who rejects this is a Kaafir. The journey from Musjid-e-Aqsa and then towards the heavens is proven from famous Hadith and is also proven from the statements of the pious predecessors. One who rejects this, is misled and corrupt. The journey from the skies into Jannat and towards the Arsh and even beyond this, in other words the journey to La Maqaa, his journey in visiting Heaven and Hell etc. are proven from Hadith Shareef and to go against this is to transgress the law and one who does so is a Faasiq [sinner, evil]. The reality is that the Me'raj took place whilst the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam was physically awake, thus it was with the body and soul. There is however much difference of opinion on the exact dates that the Me'raj took place. Most Ulama [scholars] say that it took place in Rabi ul Awwal during the 12th year after announcing Prophethood. Some say that it took place on the 27th Ramadan and others say that it happened in the fifth or sixth year after announcement of Nabuwat. However the most famous narration is the one which says that it took place on the 27th of Rajab, and the People of Madinah have acted according to this narration.' Shaykh Muhaqqiq has stated as follows in Ash'atul Lam'aat, 'The people of Madinah spend this night of Rajab with great splendour and make many preparations on this night. This is the date which is correct and most authentic.' There are numerous other narrations relating to this, but this humble servant will stop here and adorn the answer with the evidence that is clear and hope for all to receive guidance.

It is in Sharhe Maqaasid vol 2 page 192 as follows:

'Verily, it has been proven from the Qur'an, Hadith and Ijma-e-Ummat that the Me'raj is a reality and it took place in a conscious state. He Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam traveled from Makkah to Musjid-e-Aqsa physically and this is proven from Qur'an and famous Hadith and from the Ijma of the Taabi'een and the great A'ima. Then, it is proven from there into the skies (whilst awake) and this is proven from famous Hadith Shareef. One who rejects this is a bid'ati and one who rejects up to Musjid-e-Aqsa is a Kaafir. And from there, he journeyed into the skies, then to Jannat, to the Arsh, the ends of the universe. There is difference of opinions in this case as it is proven from one narrator, but one who rejects this is a Faasiq.

It is in Sharah Aqaaid pg 104 as follows:

'he Me'raj took place whilst the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam was in a awakened stated with body and soul. He traveled into the skies and from there, to whatever heights Allah willed for him to journey to, and this is true, in other words it is proven with sufficient evidence from famous Ahadith and one who rejects this is a misled.'

It is stated also in the same book as follows:

'And the statement of the author of Aqaaid-e-Nisfahia points to wards the journey into the skies. It also points towards the fact that he travelled whilst awake in physical form and it also points to the difference of opinion of the predecessors and that is that some have said that it was up to Jannat whilst some say it was up to the Arsh, whilst others have mentioned that it was even past the Arsh, whilst some have said that it was until the corners of the universe. It must be noted the fact that he Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam travelled from Musjid-e-Haram up to the Musjid-e-Aqsa in a short space of night is evident from the most authentic source and that is the Noble Qur'an and the journey from the earth into the skies is proven from famous Hadith and the journey from there to Jannat and beyond the Arsh is evident from other Ahadith.'

It is in Sharah Fiqh Akbar of Maulana Ali Qaari on page 135 as follows:

'The Hadith-e-Me'raj concerning the physical journey into the skies and even beyond that until where Allah willed is Haq (The Truth). It is proven through numerous traditions in the Hadith Shareef and any one who rejects this evidence and does not bring Imaan on this reality, is misled and an open transgressor.�

It is in Khulaasa that when someone rejects the Me'raj, it needs to be established whether he rejected it from Musjid-e-Haraam to Musjid-e-Aqsa. If he did this, then he is a Kaafir. And if he rejected the Me'raj from Musjid-e-Aqsa, to the skies, then he is not a Kaafir, but a corrupt and misled person and this is because Isra is from 'Haram to Haram', and this is proven from verses of the Qur'an and is definite and the journey from Musjid-e-Aqsa to the skies is proven from tradition (Sunnah)'

It is in the end of Qasida Imali as follows:

'And the issue of Me'raj is proven to be true and authentic since there are very exalted Ahadith narrated relating to it.' Maulana Ali Qaari states in the annotation of this as follows:

It is in Takmeelul Imaan pg 45 as follows:

It is in Ash'atul Lam'aat pg 550 as follows:

'Isra is proven from Musjid-e-Haraam to Musjid-e-Aqsa and into the skies. This is proven from verses of the Qur'an and one who rejects it is a Kaafir. The Me'raj is a reality and there is enough evidence to prove this. One who rejects this (going into the skies) is a corrupt and mislead person as this is proven from numerous Ahadith-e-Mubaaraka. It is in the Hadith that he Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam traveled into the skies and beyond the skies, up to where Allah willed.

Alhumdulillah, three questions have been answered here all together and there was no need for a very detailed answer.

As for the issue where Hadrat Ameer Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu has referred to the Me'raj as a pleasant dream, and the issue where Sayyida Aisha radi Allahu anha mentioned that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam was beside her on the night of Me'raj and he did not go anywhere from her on that night. This thus, makes it seem like the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam was only spiritual and not physical. Now, there are numerous explanations to these statements (of Hadrat Ameer Muawiyah and Sayyida Aisha).

First Explanation: These two narrations are not as strong as the numerous Ahadith-e-Mubaaraka that are proven through a very lengthy chain of narrators and from the senior Sahaba-e-Kiraam, as it has been mentioned by Allama Sa'adudeen Taftaazani alaihir Rahman in Sharah Maqaasid. He states on page 193 of volume 2 of his illustrious work as follows,

Second Explanation: It is very evident that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam experienced Me'raj on numerous occasions. A few of these where spiritual whilst only one was physical.

It is in Mawahibul Laduniyah that Imam Nawawi has stated in his Fatwa that the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam had Me'raj twice, once in a dream and the other physical. Suhaili has clarified the correctness of his stance from his Shaykh Qaadi Abu Bakr bin Arabi.

It is also in Ash'atul Lam'aat vol 4 page 550 as follows:

'In other words it is proven that the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam had Me'raj only once physically and numerous times in a dream and that which took place in the dream, was the inception and introduction of that which took place physically.' It is thus proven that the Physical Me'raj was only once.

Now, that we have understood the above mentioned explanations, it is thus clear that the Me'raj that Hadrat Ameer Muawiyah and Sayyida Aisha radi Allahu anhuma are referring to is the spiritual Me'raj which was in a dream. Now this is clear and can not be contested as this is the best of all explanations and answers to these issues as there is no refuting of any Hadith in it as well, just as it is evident in the Hashia Khayali which is the footnotes of Sharah Aqaaid, on page 406: ' And it is best that they should be given this answer, that verily the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam went for Me'raj twice, once with the body and soul and once only with the soul. The narration of Sayyida Aisha is related to the second type of Me'raj, in other words the one with only the soul.'

It is in the same as follow: This is the best answer as none can turn away from it, which is clearly mentioned in the Hadith Shareef.

It is on page 32 of Sharah Fiqh Akbar as follows:

'It can be said that the Me'raj occurred on numerous occasions. It is for this reason that there is difference of opinion relating to the details of the Me'raj. One statement is that it was up to Jannat and the other is that it was up to the Arsh and third is that it was even beyond the Arsh and this will not mean that because there are numerous narrations, then the issue of Namaaz being Fard will be Fard on every such occasion, as the Imam of the Wahabis; Ibn Qayyim tried to wrongly imply.

It is in Sharah Qasida Al Imaali page 24 as follows:

'This is correct, that the Me'raj took place in an awakened state. It was with both body and soul and not only with the soul, since the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam had Me'raj on numerous occasions and there are numerous differences of opinion on how many times this took place.

I (Allama Mahmood Jaan) must say that if we accept that the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam did not have a physical Me'raj just based on the narrations of Hadrat Ameer Muawiyah and Sayyida Aisha and if it is said that Allah took the soul of the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam to the heights were He willed and let his soul travel to great spiritual heights, then it must be noted that if this was the case (which is not), then why all the fuss and why was there objection by (the unbelievers) to the Me'raj (in other words if it were only a dream, then none would have made any objections and there would have been no issue about this),� The Soul is a very exalted and blessed power and it is not impossible for the soul to see paradise, Musjid-e-Aqsa etc in a dream. There is no intellectual explanation needed for this as well. The great leaders and Philosophers too have accepted this can happen.

Also if it is accepted (that it was a dream), then it wont be uniquely attributed to the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam whereas the Me'raj is something that is specially attributed to the Beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. Event he great Ambiya alaihimus salaam have no part in this great attribute of physical Me'raj which was bestowed upon the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. The actuality of a spiritual Me'raj is given to every Prophet of Allah and lots of Awliyah as well are able to reach great spiritual heights through the grace of Allah, and great spiritual experiences are also possible for all Momins. It is mentioned in Ash'atul Lam'aat as follows: 'If the Me'raj was only a dream, then there would have been no need for all the opposition to it and the Mushrikeen would have never made an issue of it. The Physical Me'raj is Unique for the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam and with the exception of him, no other Prophet has been blessed with this. This shows his greatness and excellence. Those who oppose this without valid reason are caught in the web of their lack of understanding and thus can not understand the truth.' In such instances, one needs his Imaan to be strong and needs to have faith in the Knowledge and Power of Allah. In reality, all the great matters of Nabuwat and Wahi (revelation) can not be engulfed by the ordinary human mind and is thus distant from understanding. If any person says that he is not prepared to accept this or believe it until it does not make sense to his intellectual capacity, then such a person is deprived and of the gems of faith.�

It is on page 30 of Tazkiratul Mauta wal Quboor by Allama Qaazi Thana'ullah :

'In a dream, the souls of the true believers travel towards the Arsh [throne]. When we say this, we refer to those who are strongest in faith, in other words the Ambiya [Prophets] and the Awliyah [Saints]. The Shaitaan [devil] can not enter the dreams of the Ambia-e-Kiraam alaihimus Salaatu was salaam. It is for this reason that the dreams of the Ambiya are part of Wahi [revelation]. As for the souls of the Awliyah, then they are raised into the heights of the skies, Most of their dreams are exalted and true ones and the souls of the ordinary Muslims can not just travel into the skies. It is for this reason that most dreams of the ordinary people are not correct. The dreams of the Awliyah that occur when the soul is journey beyond the skies, sometimes are not as correct as the shaitaan tries to interfere. Hadrat Ali radi Allahu ta'ala anhu has reported that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam has stated, 'When men or women sleep, then there souls climb towards the Arsh and the dreams that they see whilst the souls are there and in the skies, are true and when the soul is returning then shaitaan [devil] intercepts the soul and whispers lies into it whilst the soul is beneath the skies and these dreams are generally incorrect.' Imam Baihaqi Radi Allahu anhu has reported on the authority of Hadrat Abdullah in Amr bin A'as radi Allahu anhu that the souls of the Momins [believers] go towards the skies and once close to the Arsh, they are commanded to make sajdah [prostrate], those who are pure near the Arsh and those that are not pure make Sajdah far from the Arsh. Ibn Mubaarak Radi Allahu anhu has narrated from Hadrat Abu Darda radi Allahu anhu that the souls of the Muslims travel to the heights of the Arsh in their dreams and those souls that are pure are commanded to make Sajdah there and those who are in the state of Janaabat [impure], their souls are not granted permission for Sajdah.'

Now once again, it is evident from all that has been mentioned that the narrations of Hadrat Ameer Muawiyah and Sayyida Aisha refer to the 'Spiritual Me'raj and not to the actual Physical Me'raj.' The Physical Me'raj can thus not be refuted as there is no room for refutation, as this would lead to much objections and huge situations which can never be resolved. Both the statements of Hadrat Ameer Muawiyah and Sayyida Aisha are correct and Haq reality/truth] as they refer to the spiritual Me'raj and in the said context it is totally correct, and neither of them rejects the physical Me'raj.

It must be also noted that Sayyida Aisha radi Allahu anha mentioning that the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam did not leave her side during Me'raj can never be referring to the Physical Me'raj as at that time Sayyida Aisha' was not even born (and thus not yet in the home of the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. It is in Sharah Fiqh Akbar as follows:

'And the proper explanation to this is that the Me'raj occurred in Makkah Muazzamah during the early days after announcement of Nabuwat [Prophethood] and Sayyida Aisha radi Allahu anha was not even born at this time.'

Another reply is as follows. It must however be noted that there are numerous different views on these issues and much reference to the Sahaba-e-Kiraam [noble companions of the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam]. I thus will try to be brief by quoting a few references and then a few Tafseers [commentaries] etc. so that our point may be well understood. It is in Ash'atul Lam'aat as follows:

'From all that which has occurred, it can be understood that there is difference of opinion amongst the Sahaba-e-Kiraam about whether the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam saw Allah with the eyes of his head.

Hadrat Aisha radi Allahu anha says differently and Hadrat Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhu proves it and both are supported by a group of Sahaba-e-Kiraam. After them the Tabi'een, then the Tab'be Taabi'een have also remained in difference in certain issues relating to the divine vision. Some have remained silent and have not said anything. It is the most famous and most accepted fact amongst the learned scholars that the Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam did see his creator with the eyes of the head. It is recorded in Mualimut Tanzeel (pg 148):

I prefer that it is important to narrate here the Hadith-e-Me'raj from Bukhari and Muslim and I would like to do that with reference to the explanation in Ash'atul Lam'aat. I will also use brackets to explain the Hadith and clarify important issues relating (to the Me'raj). It has been narrated from Hadrat Qatadah radi Allahu anhu who in turn narrates from Hadrat Anas bin Maalik radi Allahu anhu who narrates from Hadrat Maalik bin Sa'sa'a radi Allahu anhu that verily the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam explained to the Sahaba-e-Kiraam about that night when' in which he was raised into the skies. He Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam said, 'I was in the Hateem (and sometimes the narrator says 'I was in the Hujra) that I was resting on my side then came to me one person (Hadrat Jibra'il). He then split open my chest and removed my heart and then a tray was brought near me which was filled with Imaan. My heart was then washed (with it) and it was filled with Great Imaan and Wisdom and it was then returned (in other words the hearts was put back in its place).'It has been narrated in one narration as follows, 'Then my stomach was rinsed with 'Aab-e-Zam Zam' and Imaan and wisdom was instilled and then a means of transport was brought to me that was shorter than a mule and taller than a donkey. It was white and it was called the Burraq. It used to keep his foot at the distance of sight. I was made to sit on it and then I was taken by Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam until we reached the first sky (which is the lowest sky). Hadrat Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam requested for the Door of the sky to be opened. It was said, (In other words the Gatekeeper of the sky said) who is this? He said; it is I, Jibra'il. It was asked, who is with you? Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, it is Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam. The door of the sky was then opened.' When, I reached the first sky, I saw that Adam 'alayhis-salaam was there. Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said this is your Forefather Adam 'alayhis-salaam. Send salaam to him. I did so and replied to my salaam and said, Welcome to the pious son and the Pious Prophet. Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam then took me further and we went to the second sky. It was said, (In other words the Gatekeeper of the sky said) who is this? He said; it is I, Jibra'il. It was asked, who is with you? Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, it is Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam. It was said, Was he invited? Jibra'il said, yes. The Answer was, what a wonderful invitation it is and the door was opened. When I entered the second sky, I saw Hadrat Yahya and Hadrat Isa 'alayhis-salaam (In other words both these Prophets were standing there). Both of these Prophets are maternal cousins. Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, This is Yahya 'alayhis-salaam and Isa 'alayhis-salaam, Please send salaam to them. I did so and they both responded to my salaam. Both Hadrat Yahya alayhis salaam and Isa 'alayhis-salaam said, Welcome Pious Brother, Welcome Pious Nabi. Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam then took me to the third sky. It was said, (In other words the Gatekeeper of the sky said) who is this? He said; it is I, Jibra'il. It was asked, who is with you? Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, it is Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam. It was said, Was he invited? Jibra'il said, Yes. The Answer was, What a wonderful invitation it is and the door was opened. When I reached the third sky, I saw Hadrat Yusuf 'alayhis-salaam (standing there). Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, It is Yusuf 'alayhis-salaam, Please say salaam to him. I made salaam to him and he replied. Yusuf 'alayhis-salaam said, Welcome O' Pious Brother, O' Pious Nabi. Then, Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam took me into the fourth sky. It was said, (In other words the Gatekeeper of the sky said) who is this? He said; it is I, Jibra'il. It was asked, who is with you? Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, it is Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam. It was said, Was he invited? Jibra'il said, Yes. The Answer was, What a wonderful invitation it is and the door was opened. Here, I saw Hadrat Idrees  'alayhis-salaam (standing). Jibra'il  'alayhis-salaam said. It is Idrees 'alayhis-salaam please say salaam to him. I conveyed Salaam to him and he replied and said, Welcome O' Pious Brother, O Pious Nabi. Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam then took me towards the fifth sky. It was said, (In other words the Gatekeeper of the sky said) who is this? He said; it is I, Jibra'il. It was asked, who is with you? Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, it is Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam. It was said, Was he invited? Jibra'il said, Yes. The Answer was, What a wonderful invitation it is and the door was opened. When I reached the fifth sky, I saw Hadrat Haroon 'alayhis-salaam. Hadrat Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said that I should make salaam to him so I did and he replied to my salaam and said, Welcome o pious brother, O' Pious Nabi. Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam then took me towards the sixth sky. It was said, (In other words the Gatekeeper of the sky said) who is this? He said; it is I, Jibra'il. It was asked, who is with you? Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, it is Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam. It was said, Was he invited? Jibra'il said, Yes. The Answer was, What a wonderful invitation it is and the door was opened. When I reached the sixth sky, I saw Hadrat Moosa 'alayhis-salaam (standing there).' Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam told me that it was Hadrat Moosa 'alayhis-salaam and that I should make salaam to him, so I did and he replied to my salaam. He said, Welcome O' Pious Brother, O' Pious Nabi.' As I was leaving (and got up to go) Hadrat Moosa 'alayhis-salaam began to weep.� It was asked why he was crying and what had caused him to cry and he said, I am crying for this reason, that a young person was sent to the people after me and most of his Ummah will enter paradise compared to those of my Ummah. Hadrat Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam then ascended with me towards the seventh sky. It was said, (In other words the Gatekeeper of the sky said) who is this? He said; it is I, Jibra'il. It was asked, who is with you? Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, it is Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam. It was said, Was he invited? Jibra'il said, Yes. The Answer was, What a wonderful invitation it is and the door was opened. When I reached the seventh sky, I saw Hadrat Ibraheem 'alayhis-salaam (standing there). Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, This is your father (Forefather) Ibraheem 'alayhis-salaam. Please convey salaam to him. I conveyed salaam to him. He replied to my salaam and said, Welcome of Son of The Pious, O' Pious Nabi. I was then raised towards Sidratul Muntaha. I saw its fruit as huge as the clay pots of Hijr (a Place near Madinah where huge pots were made), its leaves were as huge as the ears of elephants. Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said that this was Sidratul Muntaha.' I saw four streams there. Two hidden and two apparent. I asked Jibra'il about the hidden and apparent rivers and he said that hidden ones are of Jannat [heaven] and the evident ones river Nile and River Euphrates. I was then shown the 'Baitul Ma'moor' which was made clear to me. I was then given a vessel of wine, milk and honey (so that I may choose what I wish). I took the vessel of milk (and drank it). Jibra'il 'alayhis-salaam said, Milk is in your nature (in other words it's a sign of Islam). You and your Ummah will remain steadfast on it. Then, fifty Namaaz [salaah, ritual prayer] was made Fard upon me. I then returned with this Namaaz and I met on the way with Hadrat Moosa 'alayhis-salaam. He asked what I was commanded and I said, fifty Namaaz a day. Moosa 'alayhis-salaam said, By Allah! Verily your Ummah will not have the strength to read fifty Namaaz per day. Allah tested those before them and the Bani Israeel too have been tested. They will not be able fulfill this and will leave out their Namaaz. Go back into the Court of Allah and request a reduction. For the sake of my Ummah, I returned into the court of Allah and requested reduction and ten was reduced. I then returned and met Moosa 'alayhis-salaam and he said as he had said before. I went back into the court of my Creator and requested reduction and ten more were reduced. On the way back I met Hadrat Moosa 'alayhis-salaam again and he said the same again and I went back and ten more were reduced. On my way I met Moosa 'alayhis-salaam again and he said the same and I went back and ten more were reduced. On my return I met him again and he said the same and I went back and five were reduced until only five were left. Again I met Hadrat Moosa 'alayhis-salaam and he told me how his nation was tested and could not fulfill their duties. He said that my Ummah was too weak and will not be able to fulfill this, but I was ashamed and too modest now to go back into the court of Allah and ask for a further reduction, so I accepted five for my Ummah. I then heard a voice which said, I have commanded five and have made light the weight of the servants. (In other words five Namaaz were made Fard and we receive the sawaab [reward] of fifty Namaaz). '