I was near the House (i. e. Ka'bah) in a state between sleep and wakefulness when I heard someone say: He is the third among the two persons. Then he came to me and took me with him. Then a golden basin containing the water of Zamzam was brought to me and my heart was opened up to such and such (part). Qatada said: I asked him who was with me (i e. the narrator) and what he meant by such and such (part). He replied: (It means that it was opened) up to the lower part of his abdomen (Then the hadith continues): My heart was extracted and it was washed with the water of Zamzam and then it was restored in its original position, after which it was filled with faith and wisdom. I was then brought a white beast which is called al-Buraq, bigger than a donkey and smaller than a mule. Its stride was as long as the eye could reach. I was mounted on it, and then we went forth till we reached the lowest heaven. Gabriel asked for the (gate) to be opened, and it was said: Who is he? He replied: Gabriel. It was again said: Who is with thee? He replied: Muhammad (ﷺ). It was said: Has he been sent for? He (Gabriel) said: Yes. He (the Prophet) said: Then (the gate) was opened for us (and it was said): Welcome unto him! His is a blessed arrival. Then we came to Adam (peace be upon him). And he (the narrator) narrated the whole account of the hadith. (The Holy Prophet) observed that he met Jesus in the second heaven, Yahya (peace be on both of them) in the third heaven, Yusuf in the third, Idris in the fourth, Harun in the fifth (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them). Then we travelled on till we reached the sixth heaven and came to Moses (peace be upon him) and I greeted him and he said: Welcome unto righteous brother and righteous prophet. And when I passed (by him) he wept, and a voice was heard saying: What makes thee weep? He said: My Lord, he is a young man whom Thou hast sent after me (as a prophet) and his followers will enter Paradise in greater numbers than my followers. Then we travelled on till we reached the seventh heaven and I came to Ibrahim. He (the narrator) narrat- ed in this hadith that the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) told that he saw four rivers which flowed from (the root of the lote-tree of the farthest limits): two manifest rivers and two hidden rivers. I said: ' Gabriel! what are these rivers? He replied: The two hidden rivers are the rivers of Paradise, and as regards the two manifest ones, they are the Nile and the Euphrates. Then the Bait-ul-Ma'mur was raised up to me. I said: O Gabriel! what is this? He replied: It is the Bait-ul-Ma'mur. Seventy thousand angels enter into it daily and, after they come out, they never return again. Two vessels were then brought to me. The first one contained wine and the second one contained milk, and both of them were placed before me. I chose milk. It was said: You did right. Allah will guide rightly through you your Ummah on the natural course. Then fifty prayers daily were made obligatory for me. And then he narrated the rest of the hadith to the end.
The Opening of the Heart
This refers to the spiritual purification of the Prophet's ﷺ heart in preparation for receiving the divine revelation. The water of Zamzam, a blessed water source in Mecca, symbolizes purity and divine blessing. The opening "up to such and such" indicates a complete spiritual cleansing, preparing the vessel of prophethood to be filled with faith (iman) and wisdom (hikmah).
Al-Buraq and the Ascent
Al-Buraq, the celestial steed, represents the miraculous nature of this journey beyond ordinary human experience. Its description as being between a donkey and mule in size, yet with a stride reaching the horizon, signifies its supernatural qualities. This emphasizes that the Isra' and Mi'raj was both a physical and spiritual journey granted by Allah's power.
The Heavenly Realms
The progression through the seven heavens and meetings with previous prophets demonstrates the continuity of prophethood and Muhammad's ﷺ position as the Seal of the Prophets. Each prophet appears in a heaven corresponding to their spiritual station. The encounter with Musa (Moses) particularly highlights the concern of previous prophets for their communities and the special status of Muhammad's ﷺ ummah.
The Rivers and Bait-ul-Ma'mur
The four rivers represent both earthly blessings (Nile and Euphrates) and spiritual blessings (rivers of Paradise). Bait-ul-Ma'mur is the heavenly counterpart to the Ka'bah, constantly worshipped by angels. This connection between celestial and earthly worship underscores the unity of Allah's creation and the cosmic significance of Islamic rituals.
The Choice of Milk
The Prophet's ﷺ selection of milk over wine symbolizes the natural, pure path of Islam (fitrah). Milk represents innate human purity and the straightforward guidance of Islam, while wine represents altered states and complex paths. This choice confirms that Islam is the religion of natural disposition, accessible to all humanity.
The Prescribed Prayers
The initial prescription of fifty daily prayers and their subsequent reduction to five demonstrates Allah's mercy and the intercessory role of Prophet Musa. The final establishment of five prayers that carry the reward of fifty shows Allah's generosity and the special status of the Muslim ummah. This event established the five daily prayers as the pillar of Islamic worship.