THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 021 THE NIGHT JOURNEY by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem THE NIGHT JOURNEY The Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem It was during these early years of the Messenger of Allah’s prophethood in Mecca, approximately sixteen months before his migration to Medina that one of the greatest miracles of all time occurred. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) happened to be visiting the house of Hubayrah, the husband of Hind, better known as Umm Hani, the daughter of Fatima and Abu Talib when night fell so they invited him to stay overnight. Although Hubayrah had not converted to Islam whereas his wife, and mother-in-law had, and so they were blessed to join the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) in offering the night prayer. As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) slept, the roof the house suddenly split open and Gabriel came to him and opened his chest then washed his heart with the water of Zamzam and filled the Prophet’s heart and chest with faith. Thereafter, Gabriel took him from the house of Umm Hani to the Ka’bah where he rested as he emerged from the state between sleep and waking then Gabriel took him to the door of the Ka’bah. Standing before the door of the Mosque was Burak, a winged white animal from Paradise, greater in size than a donkey but lesser than a mule, with wings on its hind legs. Burak was surrounded by angels on either side but as the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) tried to mount, it became frisky, whereupon Gabriel said, "O Burak, are you not ashamed to behave in such a manner? By Allah, no one that has ridden you before this is more honorable before Allah," whereupon, Burak broke out in a sweat and stood still for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to mount. Allah says: "Exalted is He who carried His worshiper (Prophet Muhammad) to travel in the night from the Sacred Mosque (Mecca) to the Furthest Mosque (Jerusalem) which We have blessed around it so that We might show him some of Our signs. He is the Hearer, the Seer." Koran 17:1 This verse draws our attention to the great honoring Allah bestowed upon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) so that He might show him some of His signs. As soon as the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was seated, the Angels Gabriel and Michael also mounted. Gabriel sat in front of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) holding Burak's saddle and Michael sat behind the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) holding its rein. As Gabriel pointed the way Burak set forth. Each strike it took reached the end of his vision, miraculously breaking the barrier of light, and as they passed over the mountains Burak raised his legs higher so that they passed over them in comfort. The breaking of the barrier of light is a very clear miracle from Allah. NASA, the American Space Agency with all its technical advances has been unable to achieve and will never be able to achieve the breaking of this barrier because at such speed the physique is consumed. When Burak reached the Mosque of Jerusalem, he stopped and raised his front leg so that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) might dismount. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) tied Burak to the tethering ring the prophets had used in years long past. Thereafter he entered the mosque and prayed two units of prayer and was greeted by several prophets amongst whom were Abraham, Moses, and Jesus and it was there on the site of the ancient temple of Jerusalem that Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) led them in prayer. After the conclusion of the prayer, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was offered two goblets, one contained wine and the other milk. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) chose the goblet of milk and drank from it whereupon Gabriel said, "You have been rightly guided and so will your nation” that is because wine is to be forbidden. After this the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Gabriel ascended to the nearest heaven in both body and spirit. Upon reaching the nearest heaven Gabriel asked for its gate to be opened whereupon its guardian inquired, "Who is there?" So Gabriel announced himself to the guard. Then Gabriel was asked, "Who is with you? Whereupon Gabriel replied, "Muhammad," The guardian inquired, 'Has he been sent?' Gabriel replied, 'Yes' and the gate was opened. The same questions and replies were to be asked and given at the gate of each heaven. The Ascent to the First, Lower Heaven As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) entered the first heaven with Gabriel all but one of the angels expressed signs of happiness and smiled a welcoming smile. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) turned to Gabriel and asked about that angel and was told, "He is Malik, the Guardian of Hell, he does not smile.” Whilst the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was in the first heaven, he saw Prophet Adam observing the souls of the deceased. When a good soul passed by he was very happy and said, "A good soul for a good body," however when a bad soul passed by he would frown and say, "A bad soul for a bad body." Upon seeing Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) Prophet Adam welcomed and supplicated for him and asked Gabriel if the time had come when he had been sent for, and Gabriel confirm that it was so. The Second Heaven In the second heaven, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Gabriel were met by Prophet Jesus, the son of Mary, and John, the son of Zachariah who also welcomed and supplicated for him and inquired if he had been sent for. Later the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) described Prophet Jesus as being a man of medium height, with straight hair and a reddish, freckled complexion. The Third Heaven In the third heaven the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) met Joseph, the son of Prophet Jacob, who was so handsome that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) described him as being as beautiful as the full moon and that he had been given half of all the beauty. Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) as we are told was given all the beauty. Joseph welcomed and supplicated for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and also inquired if the Prophet had been sent for and was told that he had. The Fourth Heaven In the fourth heaven they encountered Idris of whom the Koran speaks: "And mention in the Book, Idris; he too was of the truth and a Prophet, We raised him to a high place." Koran 19:56 - 57 Idris (Enoch) welcomed and supplicated for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and inquired if he had been sent for and Gabriel affirmed that he had. The Fifth Heaven In the fifth heaven the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) met a handsome man with white hair and a long beard, it was Prophet Aaron, the son of Imran. Like the prophets before him he too welcomed and supplicated for him and inquired if he had been sent. The Sixth Heaven In the sixth heaven he met a man with a prominent nose, similar to those of the people of Shanu'a. The man was Prophet Moses, brother of Aaron and son of Imran, and as before he too welcomed and supplicated for him and inquired whether he had been sent. When he was with Moses, Moses started to weep, whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked why he was weeping. Moses replied, “O Lord, this is a young man who was sent after me, and more of his nation will enter the Garden than those of my nation." The Seventh Heaven When Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Gabriel entered the seventh heaven they saw a man sitting comfortably on his chair resting his back, at the entrance of an eternal, crowded mansion – Al Bayt al Mamor. The entrance of the eternal crowded mansion has been explained by scholars as being the entrance to Paradise. The man was Prophet Abraham of whom Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) observed, "I have never seen a man more like myself." It was in the seventh heaven that the Prophet saw a beautiful, heavenly maiden -- a houri -- and asked to whom she would be espoused and was told Zayd, the son of Haritha. Then he saw angels entering the gates of the mansion and was told that each day seventy thousand angels enter never to return again until the Day of Resurrection. Then Gabriel took the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to the Lote tree of the Furthest Limit. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) described the tree as having leaves the size of elephant’s ears and fruit like earthenware vessels. When the command of Allah covers it, that which is covered undergoes a change, the beauty of which none in all creation is able to describe. The Prophet, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was told, "This is the Lote Tree of the Ending. Each of your nation who travels your Path will reach it. It is the furthest Lote Tree. From its roots spring rivers of sweet water, rivers of unstaling milk, rivers of wine, a delight to its drinker, and rivers of pure honey. The tree is so huge that it would take a rider seventy years just to ride across its shadow. Just one of its leaves would shade all creation; light and angels cover it." Thereafter Allah obligated fifty prayers to be offered during the day and night. Before the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) left, Allah said to him, “Peace be unto you, O Prophet,” and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, ‘Peace be unto us all, and the good worshipers.” The Prophet’s Return Journey Through the Heavens On the Prophet's return through the heavens he met Moses once again, who asked how many daily prayers had become incumbent upon him and his followers. When Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told him fifty, Moses replied, "Prayer is a weighty matter, and your nation will not be able to do so. I tested the Children of Israel and know from experience, return to our Lord and ask Him to reduce the number for you and your nation." Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) returned to his Lord and asked for a reduction, and the number was reduced to forty. Once again the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) met Moses upon his return, who asked him the same question, and again Moses advised him to return to request a further reduction, whereupon he returned, and so it continued until the number of daily prayers became reduced to five. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) met Moses upon his final return, Moses inquired as he had done before, but Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told him that he felt ashamed to ask Allah to reduce the number yet again. In later years the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) informed his Companions that when they offer each of the five obligatory daily prayers in faith and trust, they receive the reward of ten prayers for each obligated prayer which is equal to the originally prescribed fifty prayers. He reminded them that they should be grateful to Moses for the reduction in number. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) also told his Companions that he was told that for whosoever intends doing something good and does not do it, a meritous act is recorded for them, however, if he or she does it they are the recipients of the reward for ten meritous acts. When a person intends to do a wrong action nothing will be written against him, but if the wrong action is carried through then only one wrong action is recorded against them. Peace be upon all the Prophets of Allah. The Return Journey Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Angel Gabriel now returned to Burak who waited on the Mount in readiness for the return journey to Mecca. As they sped over the mountains and desert they overtook several southward bound caravans. When the Prophet came parallel to one of the caravans the camels were startled and re-acted. One fell down and another bolted away, and was later found by one of the traders. Unseen to the traders, the Prophet greeted them as he flew by whereupon one of the traders commented, “That is the voice of Muhammad.” The camel leading the other camels was unusual, it had two humps, one of which was red and the other white. As they drew nearer to Mecca the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saw a caravan and stopped for brief moment. Not far from the sleeping traders was a covered jug of water, he removed its cover, drank from its water, replaced the cover and without disturbing anyone, left to continue on his way home to Mecca. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) arrived in Mecca before dawn and just before it broke, he awoke Umm Hani to pray. After the prayer he told her, "O Umm Hani, as you witnessed, I prayed here last night with you in this valley. After that I went to Jerusalem and prayed there. Now, as you have seen, I prayed the dawn prayer here with you." Umm Hani was concerned for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and said, "O Prophet of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), do not tell anyone about this because they will belie and insult you." As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) made ready to leave for the Ka’bah he replied, "By Allah, I will certainly tell them," whereupon Umm Hani asked her servant to follow him to make sure no harm came to him and to report back to her. Abu Bakr's Sincere Belief Upon reaching the Ka’bah, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told those present, believer and unbeliever alike, about his miraculous journey. Immediately, the unbelievers laughed and mocked him. They did not believe in his miracles and on no account would they believe him now, as the return journey of such distance was known to take well over two months. Gloating in what they deemed to be their triumph, a group of Koraysh made their way to Abu Bakr to tell him the news. When they reached him they said, "What do you think of your friend now! He tells us that last night he went to Jerusalem, prayed there and then returned to Mecca!" Abu Bakr's immediate reaction was, "If he said it, then it is indeed true! What makes you wonder, he tells me greater news that is sent down from the heavens to earth in any hour of the day or night, I know he speaks the truth!" Then, Abu Bakr went to the Ka’bah and repeated his conviction. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) learned of Abu Bakr's forthrightness, he named him "As-Sideek" -- "The Sincere" -- the confirmer of the truth. The Return of the Caravans Among the Prophet's followers were those who needed additional reassurance. They had heard the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) tell of the caravans nearing Mecca and of the unusual camel with two humps, one of which was red and the other white, and of the camel that bolted as well as the jug of water, so they waited for the caravans to return to ask them. When he was asked on what day the caravaner's return might be expected, he told them it would be on Wednesday. The days passed, Wednesday came and the Koraysh looked curiously for the caravan. It was nearing sunset when the caravans started to arrive, one of which was led by the unusual camel, and each caravan confirmed the incidents exactly as the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had described. Concerning the Night Ascent it was revealed: "Indeed it is not except a Revelation which is revealed, taught by One who is Stern in power. Of might, he (Gabriel) stood firm while he was in the highest horizon; then he drew near, and become close he was but two bows' length or even nearer so (Allah) revealed to His worshipper (Gabriel) that which he revealed (to Prophet Muhammad). His heart did not lie of what he saw. What, will you dispute with him about what he sees! Indeed, he saw him in another descent at the Lote Tree (Sidrat tree) of the ending close to the Garden of Refuge. When there comes to the Lote Tree, that which comes his eyes did not swerve, nor did they stray for indeed he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord." Koran 53:4-18 It is clear that Allah established on oath His guidance of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), his truthfulness in the recitation of the Koran, which was sent down with the Archangel Gabriel, who is strong and powerful, to him directly from Allah, and that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) is rendered free from all self-desire. In this verse Allah reiterates the excellence of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) in the events of the Night Journey and tells of his reaching the Lote tree near the Garden of Refuge, and the certainty of his unswerving sight upon seeing one of the greatest signs of His Lord. Allah also refers to this great event in the opening verses of the chapter "The Night Journey." Allah revealed to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) His Mighty Unseen Kingdom where he saw the wonders of the angelic realm that can neither be expressed in words nor yet possible for human intellect to endure hearing, not even in its minutest atom. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) said that when the believer enters Paradise he will see Allah. As for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), he entered Paradise, and since he visited Paradise on Isra and Miraj he also saw Allah. When Lady Ayesha was asked if the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saw his Lord she refuted it and quoted the verse: "No eye can see Him, though He sees all eyes. He is the Subtle, the Aware" Chapter 6:103 Lady Ayesha wanted to negate the dimensioning of the sighting of Allah, and the place. Before Islam the people of Najd were accustomed to seeing their idols with their dimensions and in a place. When Al-Abbas’ son was asked the same question he affirmed that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) did see his Lord. It may appear that the two sound hadiths are in contradiction with one another however this is not the case because Lady Ayesha was addressing the fact that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) did not see Allah like the idolaters see their statutes, whereas Al-Abbas’ son was addressing the fact that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saw Allah with the Eyes of Paradise. The Significance of the Prophet’s Night Journey It might be asked why Allah chose Jerusalem to be the site of the Prophet’s ascent rather than Mecca. The choice of Allah is of the highest significance because it contains a message to the Jews for all time. The message being that they were permanently stripped from their religious leadership because of their disobedience, blatant tampering, distortion, and corruption of the text of the Torah and Mosaic Law and that now the leadership had been entrusted to a non-Jew, an Arab, Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). It was to be the first of two very significant indications and the fulfillment of the warning of Prophet Jesus who had warned his fellow Jews that if they chose not to reform and return to the truth the covenant would be taken from them. It was the fulfillment of the warning of Prophet Jesus to his fellow Jews that if they chose not to reform and return to the truth the covenant would be taken from them. Also of his saying to his disciples when he realized the Rabbis would not heed his advice: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter (Prophet Muhammad) will not come unto you; but if I depart, he will be sent unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of its lack of righteousness, and judgment.” The Bible, New Testament, chapter John 58:80 The Night Journey 021 Back Cover Subtitles The Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem The Ascent to the First, Lower Heaven The Second Heaven The Third Heaven The Fourth Heaven The Fifth Heaven The Sixth Heaven The Seventh Heaven The Prophet’s Return Journey Through the Heavens The Return Journey Abu Bakr's Sincere Belief The Return of the Caravans The Significance of the Prophet’s Night Journey