"I was brought an animal that was larger than a donkey and smaller than a mule, whose stride could reach as far as it could see. I mounted it, and Jibril was with me, and I set off. Then he said: 'Dismount and pray,' so I did that. He said: 'Do you know where you have prayed? You have prayed in Taibah, which will be the place of the emigration.' Then he said: 'Dismount and pray,' so I prayed. He said: 'Do you know where you have prayed? You have prayed in Mount Sinai, where Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, spoke to Musa, peace be upon him.' So I dismounted and prayed, and he said: 'Do you know where you have prayed? You have prayed in Bethlehem, where 'Eisa, peace be upon him, was born.' Then I entered Bait Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) where the Prophets, peace be upon them, were assembled for me, and Jibril brought me forward to lead them in prayer. Then I was taken up to the first heaven, where I saw Adam, peace be upon him. Then I was taken up to the second heaven where I saw the maternal cousins 'Eisa and Yahya, peace be upon them. Then I was taken up to the third heaven where I saw Yusuf, peace be upon him. Then I was taken up to the fourth heaven where I saw Harun, peace be upon him. Then I was taken up to the fifth heaven where I saw Idris, peace be upon him. Then I was taken up to the sixth heaven where I saw Musa, peace be upon him. Then I was taken up to the seventh heaven where I saw Ibrahim, peace be upon him. Then I was taken up above seven heavens and we came to Sidrah Al-Muntaha and I was covered with fog. I fell down prostrate and it was said to me: '(Indeed) The day I created the heavens and the Earth, I enjoined upon you and your Ummah fifty prayers, so establish them, you and your Ummah.' I came back to Ibrahim and he did not ask me about anything, then I came to Musa and he said: 'How much did your Lord enjoin upon you and your Ummah?' I said: 'Fifty prayers.' He said: 'You will not be able to establish them, neither you nor your Ummah. Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce it.' So I went back to my Lord and He reduced it by ten. Then I came to Musa and he told me to go back, so I went back and He reduced it by ten. Then I came to Musa and he told me to go back, so I went back and He reduced it by ten. Then it was reduced it by ten. Then it was reduced to five prayers. He (Musa) said: 'Go back to you Lord and ask Him to reduce it, for two prayers were enjoined upon the Children of Israel but they did not establish them.' So I went back to my Lord and asked Him to reduce it, but He said: 'The day I created the heavens and the Earth, I enjoined fifty prayers upon you and your Ummah. Five is for fifty, so establish them, you and your Ummah.' I knew that this was what Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, had determined so I went back to Musa, peace be upon him, and he said: 'Go back.' But I knew that it was what Allah had determined, so I did not go back."
The Night Journey & Ascension (Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj)
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 450 describes the miraculous journey of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Jerusalem and through the heavens. The celestial mount Buraq, described as larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, demonstrates how Allah facilitates extraordinary means for His chosen servants to witness divine signs beyond human comprehension.
Significance of Prayer Locations
The three prayer stops at Taibah (Madinah), Mount Sinai, and Bethlehem establish spiritual connections between Islamic revelation and previous divine dispensations. This illustrates Islam's continuity with earlier prophethoods while affirming Muhammad's ﷺ role as the final messenger leading all previous prophets in prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Celestial Ascension Through Seven Heavens
The Prophet's ﷺ journey through seven heavens represents ascending spiritual stations, meeting major prophets at each level: Adam (1st), Jesus and John (2nd), Joseph (3rd), Aaron (4th), Idris (5th), Moses (6th), and Abraham (7th). This hierarchy reflects their spiritual ranks and establishes Muhammad's ﷺ position as the Seal of Prophets.
Divine Legislation of Salah
The initial prescription of fifty daily prayers and subsequent reduction to five demonstrates Allah's mercy while maintaining spiritual equivalence. The exchange between Moses and Muhammad ﷺ highlights prophetic intercession and practical wisdom in legislation. The final decree establishes that five prayers equal fifty in reward, embodying divine generosity.
Scholarly Commentary from The Book of Salah
Classical scholars emphasize that this event occurred in both body and spirit, affirming Allah's absolute power. The journey confirms Jerusalem's sanctity as the first qibla and establishes the obligatory nature of the five daily prayers. The Prophet's ﷺ acceptance of the final decree demonstrates complete submission to divine wisdom, setting the example for all Muslims in accepting Allah's commands.