The Nocturnal Journey and the Heavenly Ascension

Praise be to Allah, who has enabled the people of His nearness- some of the best of His creatures- to enter the presence of His Holiness, and has attracted them from their selfhood to His Selfhood, and has made them truly aware of the special nature of His Beloved (Prophet), whom Allah has endowed with blessing and salvation in His embrace and His nearness, and whom He has caused to travel by night and ascend towards Him, as He has said in the clear text of the Qur’an: 

Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Place of Worship to the Farthest Place of Worship… (17:1) 

By the Star when it sets- your companion is neither astray nor being misled; nor does he speak from his own desire. 

It is naught but an inspiration that is inspired, which the Owner of mighty power has taught him, the Possessor of great strength; so, he attained to perfection, while he was on the highest horizon.  

Then he drew near and came nearer still, until he was two bow-lengths or nearer, and He+ 

 revealed to His servant that which He revealed. (53:1-10)  

Indeed, he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord. (53:18) 

Ahâdîth (Prophetic traditions) concerning his Nocturnal Journey and his Heavenly Ascension have been transmitted in an uninterrupted succession, which leaves no room for disagreement or doubt about the authenticity of these reports.  

We decided to set forth the most perfect of these reports from the collection entitled ash-Shifâ’ (Healing), by Qâdi ‘Iyâd (May Allah bestow His mercy upon him), who relates on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik RA, that Allah’s Messenger saw said: 

I was presented with Burâq– a long, white, riding animal, bigger than the donkey and smaller than the mule, which sets its hoof at the far end of its body-so, I rode upon it until I came to Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), where I tethered it with the hoop used by the prophets. Then I entered the mosque and performed two cycles of ritual prayer therein. When I came out, the angel Gabriel brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk, so, I chose the milk and Gabriel said, “You have made the wise choice!” Then he ascended with us toward heaven. 

When Gabriel sought permission to enter, he was then asked, “Who are you?” He replied, “I am Gabriel”. He was asked, “And who is with you?” He said, “Muhammad!” He was asked, “Has he been sent for?” He replied, “He has been sent for.”  The gate was then opened for us, and I found myself in the presence of Adam (AS), who bade me welcome and invoked blessing upon me. 

….To be continued in sha Allah

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