The Story of Israa’ and Mi’raaj as Recounted in Some Hadeeths - I

30/03/2010| IslamWeb

It was narrated on the authority of Anas bin Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, “The Messenger of Allah said:‘I was brought Al-Buraaq which was an animal, white and long, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, which would place its hoof as far as its eye could see. I mounted it and went to Al-Aqsa Mosque where I tethered it to the ring used by the prophets. Then I entered the Mosque and performed two Rak‘ahs in it. Jibreel [Gabriel] brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. I chose the milk, and Jibreel, may Allah exalt his mention, said, ‘You have chosen the Fitrah [innate disposition].’ …” [Muslim]

 

It was reported on the authority of Maalik bin Sa‘sa‘ah that Anas bin Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet of Allah, , told them about the night of Israa’ and said: “While I was lying down at Al-Hateem [the place between the corner of the Ka‘bah and the standing place of Ibraaheem (Abraham), may Allah exalt his mention]” (or he may have said): “At the Hijr of Ismaa‘eel [the Enclosure of Ismail, may Allah exalt his mention], someone came.” The narrator of this incident commented,“I heard him [the Prophet ] saying, ‘He split the area between this [pointing to the upper part of his body].’”As he was narrating this Hadeeth, Maalik turned to a person called Al-Jaarood, who was a sub-narrator, may Allah be pleased with him, as he was behind him, and asked “What did he mean by this?”He replied,“From the throat to the lower part of the abdomen.”

 

The Prophet, , continued: “He then removed my heart. A basin made of gold that was filled with faith was then brought to me. My heart was washed and then filled with faith then put back in its place. A white-colored beast was then brought to me; it was smaller than a mule but larger than a donkey.” Al-Jaarood asked Anas, may Allah be pleased with him,“O Abu Hamzah, was it Al-Buraaq?”Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said,“Yes. It would place its hoof at a distance as far as its eye could see.”

 

The Prophet, , continued:

 

I was made to ride it, and Jibreel set off with me, until he reached the nearest heaven. Jibreel then asked that the gate of heaven be opened, and he was asked, “Who is it?’’ He replied, “Jibreel.” He was again asked, “Who is with you?” He [Jibreel] said, “Muhammad.” It was said, “Has he been sent for?” Jibreel replied, “Yes.” It was said, “Welcome to him. What an excellent visit his is!” The gate was opened and I saw Aadam [Adam]. Jibreel said to me, “He is your father Aadam so greet him.” I greeted him and he returned the greeting and said, “Welcome to the righteous son, the righteous prophet.” 

 

Then we ascended to the second heaven. Jibreel then asked that the gate of this heaven be opened and he was asked, “Who is it?” He answered, “Jibreel.” He was asked, “Who is with you?” He replied, “Muhammad.” It was said, “Has he been sent for?” He replied, “Yes.” It was said, “Welcome to him. What an excellent visit his is!” The gate was opened and I saw Yahya [John] and ‘Eesa [Jesus], the maternal cousins. Jibreel said to me, “They are Yahya and ‘Eesa so greet them,” and I did. They returned the greeting, and said, “Welcome to the righteous brother, the righteous prophet.” 

 

Then I was taken to the third heaven. Jibreel then asked that the gate of this heaven be opened, and he was asked, “Who is it?” He replied, “Jibreel.” He was asked, “Who is with you?” He replied, “Muhammad.” It was said, “Has he been sent for?” He replied, “Yes.” It was said, “Welcome to him. What an excellent visit his is!” The gate was opened and I saw Yoosuf [Joseph]. Jibreel said to me, “He is Yoosuf so greet him,” and I did. He returned the greeting, and said, “Welcome to the righteous brother, the righteous prophet.” 

 

Then we ascended to the fourth heaven. Jibreel then asked that the gate of this heaven be opened, and he was asked, “Who is it?” He replied, “Jibreel.” It was said, “Who is with you?” He replied, “Muhammad.” It was said, “Has he been sent for?” He replied, “Yes.” It was said, “Welcome to him. What an excellent visit his is!” The gate was opened and I saw Idrees [Enoch]. Jibreel said to me, “He is Idrees so greet him,” and I did. He returned the greeting, and said, “Welcome to the righteous brother, the righteous prophet.”

 

Then I was taken to the fifth heaven. Jibreel then asked that the gate of this heaven be opened, and he was asked, “Who is it?” He replied, “Jibreel.” It was said, “Who is with you?” He replied, 'Muhammad.' It was said, “Has he been sent for?” He replied, “Yes.” It was said, “Welcome to him. What an excellent visit his is!” The gate was opened and I saw Haaroon [Aaron]. Jibreel said to me, “He is Haaroon so greet him,” and I did. He returned the greeting, and said, “Welcome to the righteous brother, the righteous prophet.” 

 

Then I was taken to the sixth heaven. Jibreel then asked that the gate of this heaven be opened, and he was asked, “Who is it?” He replied, “Jibreel.” It was said, “Who is with you?” He replied, “Muhammad.” It was said, “Has he been sent for?” He replied, “Yes.” It was said, “Welcome to him. What an excellent visit his is!” The gate was opened and I saw Moosa [Moses]. Jibreel said to me, “This is Moosa so greet him,” and I did. He returned the greeting and said, “Welcome to the righteous brother, the righteous prophet.” When I passed him, he started to weep. He was asked, “Why are you weeping?” He replied, “I cry because the followers of this youth who was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater numbers than my followers.”

 

Then I was taken up to the seventh heaven. Jibreel then asked that the gate of this heaven be opened and he was asked, “Who is it?” He said, “Jibreel.” It was said, “Who is with you?” He replied, “'Muhammad.” It was said, “Has he been sent for?” He replied, “Yes.” It was said, “Welcome to him. What an excellent visit his is!” The gate was opened and I saw Ibraaheem [Abraham], may Allah exalt his mention. Jibreel said to me, “This is your father Ibraaheem so greet him,” and I did. He returned the greeting, and said, “Welcome to the righteous son, the righteous prophet.” 

 

Then I was taken up to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha [the Lote Tree of the Farthest Boundary] whose fruits were like the clay jugs of Hajar [a town in Arabia], and its leaves were like the ears of elephants. Jibreel said, “This is Sidrat-ul-Muntaha.” Then I saw four rivers, two of them were apparent and two were hidden. I asked Jibreel about those rivers, and he said, “The two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.” 

 

Then I was shown Al-Bayt-ul-Ma‘moor [the Frequented House]. 

 

Then I was brought three vessels of wine, milk and honey. I chose the vessel of milk. Jibreel said to me, “You have chosen the Fitrah [natural disposition] that you, as well as your Ummah [nation], follow.”

 

Then fifty prayers per day were enjoined on me. I descended till I met Moosa who asked me, “What has been enjoined on you?” I said, “Fifty prayers per day have been enjoined on me.” He said, “Your Ummah cannot cope  with fifty prayers per day. By Allah, I experienced people before you and had the hardest experience to bring the Children of Israel to obedience. So, return to your Lord and ask Him to make matters easy for your Ummah.” I returned and asked Allah [for a reduction] and He made it forty. I returned and met Moosa and we had the same discussion, so I returned to Allah for a reduction and He made it thirty, then twenty, then ten, and then I came to Moosa who repeated the same advice. Ultimately Allah reduced it to five. When I came to Moosa again, he said, “What has been enjoined on you?” I said, “Five prayers every day.” He said, “Your Ummah cannot put up with five prayers every day. By Allah, I experienced people before you and had the hardest experience to bring the Children of Israel to obedience. So, return to your Lord and ask Him to make matters easy for your Ummah.” I said, “I would be ashamed to ask my Lord for a further reduction.  I am satisfied and I surrender [to His order].” 

 

When I passed, a caller said, “I have decreed My obligation, and have reduced the burden on My slaves.” [Al-Bukhari]

The Story of Israa’ and Mi’raaj as Recounted in Some Hadeeths - II