ABSTRACT
In Sahih Muslim Anas ibn Malik reports in detail on the Prophet’s description of his night journey. He reports that he was presented with al-Buraq, a white animal larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, and the animal was able to place its hoof at a distance equal to the range of vision. The Prophet got on and came to Bayt-al muqdis, assumed to be Jerusalem. He tethered the animal to the ring that had been used by previous prophets. The Muhammad entered the mosque and prayed, and was met by Gabriel who brought him a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. He chose the milk, and Gabriel said: ‘You have chosen al-fitra (the natural way).’ They both ascended into the lower
heavens and requested that they be opened. It was said: ‘Who are you?’ The archangel responded: ‘Gabriel.’ It was then said: ‘Who is with you?’ He responded: ‘Muhammad.’ It was then said: ‘Has revelation been sent to him?’ Gabriel responded: ‘Revelation has been sent to him.’ The lower heavens were then opened and they met Adam. He welcomed the Prophet and prayed for his well-being. Gabriel and Muhammad then ascen-
ded to the second heaven and Gabriel 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.’ The second heaven was then opened. There they met Jesus and John, who also welcomed them and prayed for Muhammad’s well-being. They then went 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.’ The third heaven was then opened and they saw Joseph, who was famous for his beauty. He welcomed and prayed for Muhammad. The account continues with visits to
the fourth heaven to meet Enoch, the fifth for Aaron, the sixth for Moses and the seventh for Abraham. On each visit Gabriel assures the resident that Muhammad had received revelation and so the reception was friendly. Muhammad saw all manner of wonders and was told by God to institute fifty daily prayers. On his way down, he meets Moses again, who asks him how many prayers had been ordered. When Moses hears it was fifty, he suggests that Muhammad return to God to ask for a reduced number. As a result of repeated visits, God reduces the prayers to five a day, and with that welcome information Muhammad ends his miraculous journey. The significance of the account is huge
in the literature that followed the Qur
) an. First of all, it links Muhammad
with the earlier prophets, all of whom validate his message and status as a prophet. Second, the idea of secrets being made available to him as the doors open and of his taking those secrets back to earth is a popular topic in the literature of tasawwuf or mysticism. Finally, it establishes on a sound footing the number at least of the daily prayers, which are seen to have this dynamic account as its source.
