The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "While I was at the House in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness, (an angel recognized me) as the man lying between two men. A golden tray full of wisdom and belief was brought to me and my body was cut open from the throat to the lower part of the `Abdomen and then my `Abdomen was washed with Zamzam water and (my heart was) filled with wisdom and belief. Al- Buraq, a white animal, smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me and I set out with Gabriel. When I reached the nearest heaven. Gabriel said to the heaven gate-keeper, 'Open the gate.' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' He said, 'Gabriel.' The gate-keeper,' Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' The gate-keeper said, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel said, 'Yes.' Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' Then I met Adam and greeted him and he said, 'You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the second heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel said, 'Gabriel.' It was said, 'Who is with you?' He said, 'Muhammad' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' He said, 'Yes.' It was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!" Then I met Jesus and Yahya (John) who said, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel said, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is with you? Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' 'Yes,' said Gabriel. 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' (The Prophet (ﷺ) added:). There I met Joseph and greeted him, and he replied, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet!' Then we ascended to the 4th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met Idris and greeted him. He said, 'You are welcomed O brother and Prophet.' Then we ascended to the 5th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in previous heavens. there I met and greeted Aaron who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet". Then we ascended to the 6th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Moses who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and. a Prophet.' When I proceeded on, he started weeping and on being asked why he was weeping, he said, 'O Lord! Followers of this youth who was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers.' Then we ascended to the seventh heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Abraham who said, 'You are welcomed o son and a Prophet.' Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur (i.e. Allah's House). I asked Gabriel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma'mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).' Then I was shown Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. a tree in the seventh heaven) and I saw its Nabk fruits which resembled the clay jugs of Hajr (i.e. a town in Arabia), and its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and four rivers originated at its root, two of them were apparent and two were hidden. I asked Gabriel about those rivers and he said, 'The two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.' Then fifty prayers were enjoined on me. I descended till I met Moses who asked me, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Fifty prayers have been enjoined on me.' He said, 'I know the people better than you, because I had the hardest experience to bring Bani Israel to obedience. Your followers cannot put up with such obligation. So, return to your Lord and request Him (to reduce the number of prayers.' I returned and requested Allah (for reduction) and He made it forty. I returned and (met Moses) and had a similar discussion, and then returned again to Allah for reduction and He made it thirty, then twenty, then ten, and then I came to Moses who repeated the same advice. Ultimately Allah reduced it to five. When I came to Moses again, he said, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Allah has made it five only.' He repeated the same advice but I said that I surrendered (to Allah's Final Order)'" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was addressed by Allah, "I have decreed My Obligation and have reduced the burden on My slaves, and I shall reward a single good deed as if it were ten good deeds."
Beginning of Creation - Sahih al-Bukhari 3207
This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) describes the miraculous Night Journey (Isra') and Ascension (Mi'raj), foundational events in Islamic tradition that occurred before the Hijrah.
The Opening of the Chest
The purification of the Prophet's heart with Zamzam water symbolizes spiritual cleansing and preparation for divine revelation. This physical and spiritual purification enabled him to receive wisdom and belief in their purest forms, preparing him for the extraordinary journey ahead.
Al-Buraq: The Celestial Mount
Al-Buraq, described as between a mule and donkey in size, represents a supernatural creature beyond earthly comprehension. Its whiteness signifies purity, and its ability to traverse vast distances instantly demonstrates the miraculous nature of this journey beyond physical laws.
The Seven Heavens
At each heaven, the gatekeeper's questioning establishes the protocol of divine permission. The welcoming response "What a wonderful visit his is!" indicates the honor bestowed upon the Prophet. Meeting previous prophets in ascending order shows the continuity of prophethood and Muhammad's (ﷺ) position as the final messenger.
Significant Encounters
Adam's greeting as "son" emphasizes familial connection through prophethood. Moses' weeping demonstrates his concern for his followers and recognition that Muhammad's ummah would surpass his in numbers entering Paradise. Abraham's greeting as "son" reaffirms the prophetic lineage.
Divine Realms
Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur represents the celestial counterpart to the Kaaba, with 70,000 angels worshipping daily. Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary) marks the limit of created knowledge. The four rivers symbolize spiritual and physical sustenance, with the Nile and Euphrates having both earthly and metaphysical significance.
The Prescribed Prayers
The initial prescription of fifty daily prayers and subsequent reduction to five demonstrates Allah's mercy and understanding of human capacity. Moses' repeated counsel reflects his experience with human limitations. The final settlement of five prayers carrying the reward of fifty shows Allah's generosity and the value of consistency in worship.
Scholarly Significance
This hadith establishes the reality of the Night Journey as both physical and spiritual, confirms the Prophet's unique status among messengers, and provides the theological foundation for the five daily prayers - the pillar of Islamic worship that connects believers to the divine regularly.