isra wal miraaj

8/6/2019 Isra Wal Miraaj

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MIRAAJ

THENIGHTJOURNEYOFMUHAMMAD(PeaceBeUponHim)TOHEAVEN

This article has been copied from:

WAQF IKHLAS

Publisher' Note

Permission to reprint and distribute is granted only if this heading isincluded, and the text is not modified in any way, shape or form to alter

the intended meaning.

Ihlas Holding A. S.

Cagaloglu-ISTANBUL

Tel: (90212) 513 99 00


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MUHAMMADRASOOLALLAH'SJOURNEY

17:1:"PraisebetoAllahWho has takenHis servantbynightfromtheSacredMosque

(Mecca)totheFarthestMosque(Jerusalem)."

33:56:"AllahandHis angelsshowerblessingsontheNabee(Prophet).Youwhobelieve;

sendblessingsonhimandsalutehimwithaworthysalutaon."

53:1-18:"Bythestarwhenitsets,Yourcompaniondoesnoterr,norishedeceived:Nor

doeshespeakofhisowndesire.Itisnothingexceptaninspiraonthatisinspired,which

oneofmightypowershastaughthim,onevigorous;andhegrewcleartoviewwhenhe

was on the uppermost horizon. Then he drew near and came down ll he was at a

distanceoftwobowlengthsorevennearer,AndHerevealedtoHisslavethatwhichHe

revealed. The heartdid not lie in seeingwhat it saw.Will you then disputewith him

concerningwhathesees?Andtruelyhesawhimyetanothermebythefurthest-treeof

thefurthestboundary,nearwhichistheGardenofAbode.Whenthatwhichshroudsdid

enshroudthefurthest-tree,Theeyedidnotturnasidenoryetwasitoverbold.Truelyhe

sawoneofthegreaterrevelaonsofhisRabb(Lord).

AllahorderedJibraeeltogodownwith seventy thousandangels toMuhammad (PBUH),

and stand by his door. "Accompany him to My presence.And you,Mikaeel, take the

hiddenknowledgeandgodownwithseventythousandangelsandstandbythedoorofhis bedroom. You, Israfeel, and you Azraeel, do as Jibraeel and Mikaeel have been

ordered."ThenHesaidto Jibraeel:"Increasethe lightofthemoonwiththelightofthe

sun,andincreasethelightofthestarswiththelightofthemoon."Jibraeelasked:"Allah,

has theDayofresurrecondawned?"Allah said:"No,buttonightWearecallingtoOur

presenceMuhammad(PBUH),thelastMessengerwhocamea^erIsa(Jesus)torevealto

hima secretthatpertainstoUs."Jibraeel said:"Allah,whatis thatsecret?"Allah said:

"Jibraeel!The secretof kings cannotbegiven to the servants.Go withMy order and

don'task."

And Jibraeel beganhis descentcarryingwithhim the heavenlymessage.All the angels

accompanied him as Allah had ordered, unl they reached the door of Muhammad

(PBUH).When theyarrived,theysaid:"Qum yasayyidi:Arise,myMaster,and prepare

yourself!Rideonthebackoftheburaq,theheavenlycreaturethatwillcarryyouonyour

journeytotheRabb(Lord)ofpowerthroughthelandoftheangels!"


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THEBURAQ(HEAVENLYBEAST)

WhenAllahorderedJibraeeltocarrywithhimtheburaqforMuhammad(PBUH)toride,

hewenttotheparadiseofburaqsandtherehefoundfortymillionburaqs.Everyburaq

had a crown on its forehead inscribed with the words: "There is no god only Allah,

Muhammad is theMessenger of Allah." Under itwas wrien: "Believe in Me, in My

angels, inMybooks,and inMy Rasools (prophets)."Jibraeelsawamongthem aburaq

whosecludedhimselfandwhosatalonecrying.Jibraeelcametohimandaskedhimwhy

hewas insuch astate.Theburaq answered:"IheardthenameofMuhammad (PBUH)

forty thousandyears ago,andmy yearningforhim has preventedme fromeangand

drinking."Jibraeelchosethatburaqandhetookhim.

Theburaqhadthebodyofahorsebutthefaceofahumanbeing,withbigblackeyesand

so^ears.Hiscolourwas thatofapeacockwhoseplumagewassetwithredrubies and

corals,onwhichsatawhiteheadofmuskon aneck ofamber.His earsand shoulders

were of pure white pearls aached with golden chains, each chain decorated with

glieringjewels.His saddlewasmadeofsilklinedwithsilverandgoldthreads.His back

wascoveredwithgreenemeraldandhishalterwaspureperidot.

Thespeedoftheburaqisaccordingtohissight.Hislegsreachwhereverhiseyescansee.

Jibraeelsaid:"RasoolAllah,thisnightisyournight,and yourturnhas cometo shine in

the sky of creaon. You are the sun of ancient and recent knowledge, you are themoonlightofthebeauesoftheworlds,thehappinessofcreaonandtheadornmentof

thelandsofhumanbeingsandangels.Youarethecupof lovefromtheriverofmilkand

honey.The riverofKawserin paradiseoverflows in ancipaonof seeingyou.You,the

joyofallcreaon,theprideofparadise,thetables arereadyandthepalacesofheaven

arewaingforyourcoming!"

"Jibraeel,"saidMuhammad(PBUH),"didyoucomewithamessageofmercyorwrath?"

"IcamewithamessagefromyourRabb(Lord)togiveyouasecret."

"WhatdoestheRabb(Lord)ofGenerositywanttodowithme?""HewantstoshoweryouwithHismercyandallhumanbeingsthatacceptyou."

"Givemeamomenttopreparemyself."

"Ibroughtyouwaterofparadiseandaturbanwithamessageinscribed:'Muhammadthe

servant of Allah;Muhammad the prophet of Allah; Muhammad the beloved of Allah;

MuhammadthefriendofAllah.'"

"Jibraeel,tellmemoreaboutthatturban."

"AllahcreatedaturbanfromhislightandheentrustedittoRidhwan,theangel-custodian

ofparadise,and thepraisingofRidhwan's hostofangelsbelonged totheownerof that

turban beforeheaven and earthwerecreated.Tonight,when the ordercameforyourvisit,Ridhwantooktheturbanfromparadise,andallfortythousandangelssaidwithhim:


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'OurRabb(Lord),youhaveorderedusfrommeimmemorialtopraisetheownerofthat

turban.Honourus tonightwithhis sightand permitus to walkbeforehim.'And Allah

granted themwhat they asked.ThenAllah ordered me,Jibraeel, to handMikaeel the

preciousjarofthepurewaterofSalsabil,andMikaeeltogivetoAzraeel,andAzraeelto

giveittoIsrafeel,thenIsrafeeltoRidhwan,thenRidhwansentthatwateranothermeto

the highestparadise:Jannat al-Firdaws,whereall thebeaufulmaiden-angelswashedtheirfaceswiththatwaterandshoneevenmorebrightly.Thentheysentbackthatwater

tome,andIamgivingittoyou."

AndMuhammad (PBUH)showeredwiththewaterfromparadise.As soonasit touched

hisnoblebodyhebecamecoveredwithagarmentof subtle angelic light,and Jibraeel

gave him the buraq to ride. But the buraq stopped and asked Jibraeel: "Is that

Muhammad (PBUH)who is invitedtoourRabb(Lord)?"Jibraeelsaid:"Yes."Theburaq

asked:"Ishetheowneroftheblessedpond inparadise?"Jibraeelsaid:"Yes."Theburaq

said:"Ishetheleaderofthepeopleofparadise?"Jibraeelsaid:"Yes."Theburaqsaid:"Is

hetheintercessoronJudgment-Day?"Jibraeelsaid:"Yes."Atthatmetheburaqbegan

to melt like ice and snow melt in the light of the sun. He knelt down and said to

Muhammad(PBUH):"Prideofcreaon,rideonme;butIhaveonerequesttoaskofyou:

Donotforgetmeonthedayofintercession."


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THEJOURNEYTOTHEFAR-DISTANTMOSQUE

WhenMuhammad(PBUH)begantoridehewascrying.Jibraeelaskedhim:"RasoolAllah,

whyareyoucrying? "Hesaid:"Irememberedhumanbeings.Arethey goingtorideon

JudgementDayas I am ridingnow on theburaq,andgo to theirheavenly palaces in

paradise?" Jibraeel said: "Yes, truely, we are going to resurrect the pious ones in

delegaons of riders: On the Day when We shall gather the righteous unto the

Beneficent,agoodlycompany(19:85)."

AtthatMuhammad(PBUH)felthappy,andherodeforwardontheburaq.Jibraeeltook

holdofthereinswhileMikaeelheldthesaddle,andIsrafeelthesaddle-cloth.Theburaq

movedinspaceunlintheblinkofaneyetheyreachedtheplaceappointedfortheirfirst

stopinthemiddleofthedesert.Jibraeelsaid:"Muhammad,godownandpraytoAllahin

thisplace."Muhammad(PBUH)said:"Whatisthisplace?"Jibraeelsaid:"Thisistheplace

where youaregoingtoemigrate,and itisgoingtobeyoursecond city."Thatwas the

townofYathribnotfarfromMecca,anditsnamewasgoingtobeMadina.

Intheblinkofaneyetheyagainpassedthroughspaceunltheystoppedasecondme,

andJibraeeltoldMuhammad(PBUH)tocomedownandpray.

"Whichplaceisthis,Jibraeel?"askedMuhammad(PBUH).

"ThisisSinai,whereMusa(Moses)usedtospeakwithAllah."

Then the buraq moved in space another me unl he reached a third place whereJibraeelorderedhimtopray.

"Andnow,wherearewe,Jibraeel?"

"You are in Bethlehem, where Isa (Jesus) was born and from where he spread the

messageoftheKingofheavensandoftheearth."

AsMuhammad(PBUH)walkedwithdelightonthesoilwhereIsa(Jesus)wasborn,hefelt

someonemovingnearhisrightshoulderwhosaid:"Muhammad!Wait,Iwanttoaskyou

a queson." But Muhammad (PBUH) did not respond. Then another call came from

behindhisle^shoulder,butagainhedidnotanswerit.Finally,anunimaginablybeaufulmountaincoveredwiththewealthandbeautyofthisworldappearedinfrontofhimand

spoke to himwith a human voice,but for the thirdmeMuhammad (PBUH) did not

respond.ThenheaskedJibraeelaboutthethreevoices.Jibraeelsaid:"Ifyouhadlistened

tothefirstvoiceallyournaonwouldhavebeencorruptedbecauseitisthevoiceofevil;

andhadyoulistenedtothesecondone,allyournaonwouldhavebeentyrantsbecause

itisthevoiceofSatan.Andifyouhadstoppedtohearthedecoratedmountainallyour

naonwouldhavepreferredthisworldtotheeternalworld."

Muhammad (PBUH) connued on hisway and saw two beauful angelicbeings, onemasculine andonefeminine.Theyworeabeaufuldress and the fragranceof heaven.


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They kissedhim between his eyesand le^.Heasked Jibraeelwhowerethese two.He

said:"Thesearethebelieversofyournaon.Theyaregoingtoliveinhappinessanddie

inhappinessandtheyaregoingtoenterparadise."

Thenanotherangelappearedtohimandofferedhimthreecupstodrink:oneofwater,

oneofmilk,andoneofwine.Hetookthecupofmilkanddrank,andJibraeelsaid:"Youhave chosen thecup offitra: innocence." Then amaiden-angel appeared and offered

Muhammad (PBUH) threesuits of cloth,one green,onewhite,andoneblack.Hetook

thefirsttwo.Jibraeelsaid:"White is thecolourofbelieversand green is thecolourof

paradise.Allofyourfollowersaregoingtobebelieversinthisworldandallaregoingto

enterparadiseinthenext."

Then, as Muhammad (PBUH) was walking on the place where Isa (Jesus) taught, he

entered the Templeof Sulaiman (Solomon) in Jerusalem. He found the temple full of

angels waing for him. Every angel in the temple represented a group of angels in

paradise.ThenhesawalltheProphets(alaihisalaam)standinginrows.HeaskedJibraeel

who allthesewere.Jibraeel said:"These areyourbrothers fromamongthe prophets,

and theseangelsarethe leadersof all theangels ofparadise."Then Jibraeelmadethe

calltoprayer,a^erwhichhesaid:"Muhammad,mosthonorableofbeingsinthesightof

Allah,proceedtoprayer."AndMuhammad(PBUH)cameforwardandledtheprescribed

prayer,andalltheprophets(alaihisalaam)andtheangelsfollowedhim.

Adamspokesaying:-"PraisebetoAllahwhocreatedmewithHishandsandorderedthe

angels to prostrate for me and brought out all the prophets from among my

descendants!"

ThenNuh(Noah)said:-"PraisebetoAllahwhoacceptedmyprayerandsavedmeand

mypeoplefromdrowningwithmyshipwiththehelpoftheangels,andhonouredme!"

ThenIbraheem(Abraham)said:-"PraisebetoAllahwhotookmeasHisfriendandgave

meahugekingdom,andgavemeprophetsfordescendants,andsavedmefromthefire

ofNamrood,andmadeitcoolandsafeforme!"

AndMusa(Moses) said:- "PraisebetoAllahwho spoketomewithoutanintermediary

andchosemeforHismessage,andmademevictoriousoverPharaohwiththehelpofhis

angels,andgavemetheTorahwhichJibraeeltaughtmehowtowrite,andadornedme

withHislove."

And Dawood (David) said:- "Praise be to Allah who revealed the Psalms to me, and

so^ened the iron between my hands and all other elements, and chose me for His

Message!"


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And Sulaiman (Solomon) said:- "Praise be to Allah who has made subject to me the

winds,thejinn,andhumanbeings;whotaughtmethelanguageofbirds;whogavemea

kingdomwhichhenevergavetoanyonea^erme,andsupportedmewithallhisangels."

AndIsa(Jesus)said:-"PraisebetoAllahwhosentmeasaWordfromHimtotheworld,

taughtmetheTorahandtheGospel,mademecurethedeaf,thedumb,andtheleper,mademebringback to lifethedeadbyHis permission,andsupportedmewithJibraeel

andallHisangels."

AndMuhammad(PBUH)said:-"AllofyoupraisedyourRabb(Lord)andIpraiseHimalso,

WhosentmeasaMercyforhumanbeingsandrevealedtheQurantome,expandedmy

breast,tookoutmysins,raisedmeup,mademyNaonandall humanbeingsthebest

thatcouldbe,andcalledme'KindandMerciful'"!

AndJibraeelsaid:-"Thatiswhy,MuhammadyouarethelastofProphetsandaMercyforhumanbeings.Prophetsandangels,creaonslargeandsmall,AllahandHisangelssend

blessings and salutaons on His Prophet!You also sendmuchblessings uponhimand

utmostgreengs!Increaseyourpraise.Praiseisan angelwith twoeyes and twowings

thatfliestoAllahdirectlytoaskforgivenessforitsreciterunlJudgmentDay."

ThenMuhammad(PBUH)connuedonhisway,ridingontheburaqtogetherwithallthe

angelsthatcametogreetandaccompanyhim.Wheneverhepassedthroughadifferent

universehe found the angels of thatuniversegatheredto greetand dresshimwith all

kindsofgi^sandadornments.Theydressedhimwiththecloaksofperfeconandmade

himthepossessorofeverybeauty.

ThenMuhammad(PBUH)heardaverypowerfulvoicecomingfromIsrafeelfrombehind

the veils of Lordly Power and Angelic Perfecon: - "Paradises and heavens! Angels!

Mountainsandtreesandoceansand rivers!Moonsandsuns andstars andplanets and

constellaons!PlungeintothebeautyandperfeconofMuhammad(PBUH).Angelsand

houris ofparadise,walkwith pride!Creaon,behappy tonight,forwearereceivingin

ourpresencetheMasterofhumanbeingsandtheSealofProphets."


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THEASCENT-ALMIRAAJ

Another voice came from an angel called Ismaeel, saying: "Heavenly stairs, show

yourselvesanddescend!"uponwhichtheladderofheavendescendedalltheway from

Firdaws, the lo iest paradise,unl it reached the TempleofSulaiman (Solomon). The

armsoftheladdershonewithtwoheavenlylights,redamethystandgreen jasperofthe

greatestperfecon.Everybelieverisgoingto seethatladderandclimbonit.Ithasone

hundredstepsanditgoesfromthetempletothefirstheaven.

Jibraeel called Muhammad (PBUH) and the buraq climbed the first step. There

Muhammad (PBUH) saw all kinds of angels red in colour. On the second step,

Muhammad (PBUH)sawangels inyellowcloth,onthethirdstep theangelsweregreen

andallofthemweregreenghimandgivinghimheavenlygi^swhichhetookandgave

toJibraeel to keep asatrust forthebelieversonearth.Onthe fourth stepmessenger-

angels came and said: "Jibraeel, keep rising for the Rabb (Lord) is waing!" And

Muhammad (PBUH)sawtheirsubtlebodiesshiningandtheirfacesglieringlikemirrors

inthesun.

Thenheclimbedthefi^hstepoftheladderandsawahugeworldofangelsthathadno

beginningandnoend.AllofthemwerepraisingAllahandtheironlywordswere:"There

isnogodonlyAllah."HeaskedJibraeel:"Howmanyaretheseangels?"forhewasawed

bytheirnumbers.Jibraeelsaid:"Iftheskiesandtheearthandthemoonandthesunandthestars andgalaxieswerecrushed into dustandwereall piledup,theirdustparcles

would notbeone tenth of theangels of this stepof the ladderofparadise."Then the

buraq climbed up to the sixth step and there a great surprise awaited Muhammad

(PBUH),andagreateventtookplacewhichpassed all descripon.Animmense,white-

upon-whiteangelsatonachairofburnishedwhitegold,accompaniedbyagreathostof

angelswithwide,awe-struckgazeslookingatthedivinemajesty.Thewhiteangelstood

up and said:"Muhammad,welcome!Ibegyouto blessmy seatbysingonit."When

Muhammad(PBUH)satonthechair,itmeltedwithloveforhimandbecameacloudof

mulcolored light channg the praise of Allah.Out of every drop of that cloud Allahcreatedanotherthroneandanothergreatangelsinguponthatthrone.

Then the buraq climbed to the seventh heaven and Muhammad (PBUH) saw angels

whoselightreplacedthelightofhisvision,asinthecasewhensomeonelooksatthesun

andhissightisstolenaway.Atthatme,hebecameabletoseewhatevertheseangels

wereseeing.Thenheclimbedtheeighthstepoftheladderandsawnothingbutangelsin

prostraon.Hequicklyclimbedtotheninthsoasnottodisturbthem.Ontheninthstep

of the ladder hesawangels which passeddescripon andhestood in awe,unable to

comprehend theircreaon.Atthatme theirleaderappeared and said:"Rasool Allah!


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wearedressingyouwiththesecretofourcreaon andenablingyoutounderstand all

thingsbyAllah'spermission."

ThenMuhammad(PBUH)wentuptothetenthstepoftheladderandsawtheangelsthat

praisedAllah inallthelanguages thathadbeencreated sincethebeginningofcreaon.

Muhammad (PBUH) wondered atthe limitless creaons of Allah.At theeleventh step,theangels numbered even morethantheangelsof the fi^h step,and outof theman

infinitenumberof colours glowed,differentforeachsingleoneof them.Atthetwel^h

step,Muhammad(PBUH)foundangelswithfaceslikemoonsandeyeslikestars.Thelight

of their faces were covering their words.On the thirteenth step, themost beauful

angelsappearedandtheseweretheangelsofAllah,praisingAllahwith so^voices and

revellingin other-worldlybeauty.Theirmusicdidnotresembleanyotherkind ofmusic

andifonetoneofthatmusicwereheardontheeartheveryoneonitwouldfaint.

OnthefourteenthstepMuhammad(PBUH)sawtheangelIsmaeelwithseventythousand

angels riding on horses. Behind everyone of them was a baalion of one hundred

thousandangelscreatedfromtheaributeofBeauty.Itisthedutyofeachandeveryone

of theseangels toappearonearthatleastonemetobringitthetouchofhisbeauty.

Thefi^eenthtothetwenty-fourthstepswereunderthecommandoftheangelRuqyaeel,

greatand small,thinandwide.Thetwenty-fi^h step totheninety-ninthwerepresided

bytheangelQalaeel.Hisrighthandwasunderthefirstheaven.Betweeneachtwoofhis

fingerstherearesevenhundredthousandangelsconnuouslypraisingAllah.Foreachof

thepraises that they uer strings ofpearls comeoutof theirmouth.Thediameterof

everypearliseighty-onemiles.Foreach pearlAllahcreatesanangelthatguardsitand

keepsitasatrustforhumanbeingsunltheyenterparadise.

ThenMuhammad (PBUH) sawahugethrone fromaprecious elementotherthangold

standing on five posts. Each post has two wings and each wing encompasses the

constellaon of ourworld five mes.On each wing restfi^y thousandangels,each of

whom ask forgiveness for human beings in a different dialect and yet in complete

harmonyandwithanangelicsoundthatmeltstherocksofthesevenearths.Outofeach

one of their tears Allah creates fi^y thousand angels more whose task is to askforgiveness in the sameway as theseangels do and inmanymesmoredialects than

they. Then the throne spoke to Muhammad (PBUH) and said: "I and the angels who

guardmewerecreatedto carry humanbeings to theirstaonsin paradise."Then,the

throneinvitedMuhammad(PBUH)tositonit,andwhenhesathefeltapleasurehehad

neverexperiencedbefore.

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BlessingsandPeaceonMuhammad,hisFamily,andhisCompanions.

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THEFIRSTPARADISE:THEABODEOFPEACE

Muhammad (PBUH)arrivedatthehundredthstep whereheheard the angels praising

andglorifyingtheirRabb (Lord)inthefirstheaven.ItiscalledDarasSalaam,theAbode

ofPeace,andhasonehundredandtwenty-fourthousanddoors.Eachdoorrepresentsa

prophet.JibraeelknockedatthedoorreservedforMuhammad(PBUH).Avoicesaidfrom

inside:"Who is it?" Jibraeel replied:"Itis JibraeelandMuhammad(PBUH)."Thevoice

said: "Has he been sent for?" Jibraeel said: "Yes, he has been called to the Divine

Presence."Thedoorwasopened.TheangelIsmaeelcameonahorseoflight,coveredin

aclothoflight,holdingastaffoflight.Inhisrighthand,Ismaeelcarriedallthedeedsof

humanbeingsperformedduringtheday,andintheother,allthattheyhaddoneduring

thenight.Onethousandprocessionsofangelsaccompaniedhim.

Ismaeelsaid:"Jibraeel,whoiswithyou?"Hereplied:"TheProphetMuhammad(PBUH)."

Ismaeelsaid:"Hashebeensentfor?"Jibraeelrepliedyes.Thentheburaqwasinvitedto

landonthefirstparadise,thenearestparadisetotheworld.ItisalsocalledAsSamaaad-

Dunya:thenearestheaven.Thisparadisecanbecomparedtoarollingwaveheldinmid-

air; Allah spoke to it and said: "Be a red emerald," and it was. The praising of its

inhabitantsis:SubhanazilMulkiwalMalakut:"PraisebetothePossessoroftheearthly

andtheheavenlydominions."

ThenMuhammad (PBUH) looked atthe firstheaven and found an angelformed likea

man.Alltheacons thatbelongto humanbeingsaredisplayedtohim.Ifthespiritofa

believercomestohimhesends ittoparadise;ifthespiritofanunbelievercomestohim

heasksforgivenessforit.Whenforgiveness isgrantedhesendsittoparadise.Hehasa

tabletmadeoflightwhichhangsfromthethronetothefirstheaven.Hewritesonitthe

namesof thosewho aresentto paradise.ThenMuhammad(PBUH)sawamanwithan

angelicpower towards whom hefeltagreataracon.When heaskedwho thatman

was,Jibraeelsaid:"Thisisyourfather,Adam."AdamgreetedhimandsaidtoMuhammad(PBUH):"WelcometothegoodsonandtherighteousProphet."

Therearetwodoorstotherightandthele^ofAdam.Whenhelooksattherightsidehe

ishappyandwhenhelooksatthele^heweeps.Muhammad(PBUH)askedwhatthese

twodoorswere.Jibraeelsaid:"Thedoortotherightisthedoortoparadiseandrewards.

When Adam sees his children enteringithe smiles and is happy.Thedoorto the le^

leadstopunishmentandthefire.WhenAdamseeshischildrenenteringitheweepsand

issadforthem.OutofeachofhistearsAllahcreatesanangelwhoasksforgivenessunl

thedaywhenforgivenessisgrantedandtheyareallowedtoenterintoparadise."


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Thentheangelsbegantorecite:

"IyearntoseetheonewhomAllahcreated

Tobeuniqueincreaon!

Nobelovedoneispurernormoreelevatedthanthatone,

Allah'sbelovedisHisservant,thePraisedOne(Ahmad)

WhosenamewascutoutfromthenameOftheMostGloriousOne.

Hisaretheaributesthatnoeloquencecanexpress.

Itisenoughhonourthatforhimthemoonsplitintwo.

WhatmoredoyouaskthanAllah'sperfecngofhisbeauty?

AndtruelyAllahendowedhimwiththebestcharacter.

AndtruelyAllahcreatedhislighttobethegreatestblessing,

AndHecalledhim"Beloved"beforeHecreatedcreaon.

Andbecauseofhislightthesunwascloudedover,

Becauseofhisoverwhelminglightfillingthefirmament.

Thecloudsshowedagreatmiracleandmoved

Likeawildherd,

Andthunderclappedandrainpoured

Uponhismererequest.

Whatmoredoyouwantthantheso^eningoftherock

Whenhewalkeduponitwithhissandalledfeet,

Althoughyoudidnotseeitsmarks

Whenhetreadonthesand?AllahhaselevatedhimtoHispresence

Andtheangelicworld.

Wereitnotforhim,therewouldneverbeparadise,

Norheavens,andnoearth.

WhatanhonourAllahbestoweduponhimwhenHegave

Tensalutaonstothosewhowould

Sendtohimonlyone!"

Theymovedforfivehundredthousandlight-yearswithintheradiusofthefirstparadise.The buraq moved faster than the speed of light, for each of its steps could reach

whereverhissightdid.Theenredistancestheytravelledwerefilledwithangelswhose

number is known only to theCreator,praisingHimandglorifyingHimwith all kinds of

praises. There was not one handful of space but it was occupied by an angel in

prostraon. They were all sizes, big and small. A voice came saying: "My beloved

Muhammad!alltheseangelsareglorifyingMe,and Iamsendingallthispraiseaswaves

uponwavesofangelicblessings to supporthumanbeings through theirdailylife.These

blessingswillguidethemtowards everythingthatconcernsthem,andopenforthemall

kinds of physicaland spiritual knowledge thatwillhelp themprogress in theirways of


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life,materially and spiritually. Iwill raise them through this angelic powerand enable

themtoenterMyparadisewhentheycometoMyDivinePresence."

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THESECONDPARADISE:THEABODEOFCONSTANCY

Then Jibraeelordered the buraq to takeMuhammad (PBUH) to the second paradise,

whosenameisDaralQarar,the Abodeof Constancy.Hethen knockedatone of the

doorsofthesecondparadise.Itwasmadeofaheavenlyelementthathasnonameinour

language.TheangelJarjaeelcamewithonethousandprocessionsofangelswhomadean

evengreaterandhappiermusicthantheangelsofthefirstparadise.Avoicesaid:"Who

isit?"

"Jibraeel."

"Whoisaccompanyingyou?"

"Muhammad,theProphetofMercy."

Then the doorwas opened.Muhammad (PBUH) sawangels whosefaceswere like the

diskofthesun,ridinghorsesand girded withspiritualswordsand lances.Muhammad(PBUH) asked: "Jibraeel!who are these?" Jibraeel answered: "Theseare angels whom

Allah created tosupporthumansagainstdevils.Theirpraisingis:Subhanazil`Izzawal

Jabarut: 'Glory to the Rabb (Lord) of Force andMight,' and they are wearing yellow

turbansontheirheads.WhentheypraiseAllah theirturbansmoveandradiateayellow

lightthatsupportsthelightofthesun.Theyradiateanotherlightalso,whichmakesthe

devils run awayand chases out gossip from theheartof believers."ThenMuhammad

(PBUH)sawtwoveryhandsomemensingonathronemadeofredrubies.Heasked:

"Whoarethese?"Jibraeelsaid:"Theyareyourrelaves,Yahya(John)andIsa(Jesus)."Isa

(Jesus)wasofareddishcomplexionasifhecameoutofthebath.ThenangelscametoMuhammad(PBUH)inbaalions,greenghimonebyone.Allahextendedmeinsucha

waythatonesecondwasenoughto greetall of theangelsandpraywiththem,forthe

me of prayer had come. Isa (Jesus) and Yahya (John) greeted Muhammad (PBUH)

farewell,andJibraeelorderedtheburaqtogotothethirdparadise.

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THETHIRDPARADISE:THEABODEOFETERNITY

Muhammad (PBUH)moved in spaceforanotherfivehundredthousand light-yearsunl

theyreachedthethirdparadise.ItiscalledDarulKhuld:theAbodeofEternity.Asthey

approached theirdesnaon they heardgreatvoices that thundered all around them.

"ThatisthesoundofangelspraisingtheirRabb(Lord),"saidJibraeel.Astheyapproached

they heard the music of the angels by which everythingmoves in the orbits of the

heavenlyworlds.Jibraeelstoppedatadoormadeofapure,burnishedheavenlycopper,

and he knocked. "Who is there?" said a voice behind the door. "Jibraeel, bringing

Muhammad.""Hashebeensentfor?""Yes."Andthedoorwasopened.

Muhammad (PBUH) entered and he saw an angel who changed from one shape to

another ineverymoment.As hechanged,his colour changed also.Heseemed as one

movinginaflashandyetimmobilelikeamovingseriesofpicturesandyeteachpictureis

fixed in its place.Behind the angel Muhammad (PBUH) saw seven hundred thousand

angels,allofthemmovinglikethefirstangel,fromonecolourfulimageintoanother,like

countless kaleidoscopes.Theirfeetreached the sevenearths.Theirmusical praisewas:

SubhanalHayyulQayyumallazilayamut:"GlorytotheLivingOne,theSelf-Subsistent

whoneverdies!"Themelodyoftheirpraisemovedtheenreheavenstounuerablejoy

which showered mercy on the earth and its inhabitants. Muhammad (PBUH) asked

Jibraeel to ask the angelwhether humanbeings could hear thatmusic and if it were

possible forthem.Theangel said:"Anyonewhoopens his angelicpower and connectshimself to uswillhearthatmelody and hewill receivethe reward thatwereceive for

ueringthispraise."Thentheangelrecited:

SecretReality!Angelicheartoflight,

Kingdomofpower,shininginsteadfastlight,

Firminfoundaon,inbeautyallcomplete,

ItsessencedescendedfromAdam'sheartenthroned,

JustastheAllMercifuldescendedonHisThrone.

Essenceofangels'lightinAdammanifest,AndyokedwithitAllahs'trustfulfilled,

ThegrantHemadetoallmankind.

HereappearedknowledgeofAllah'slight

Knownonlytochosensaintswhoalonecansee.

WhereHisknowledgeglowsimperfeconflees

Andallworldlycaresdimanddisappear.

Hereendsandbeginstheplaceofdrawingnear

Wherethepureonesseled,similartolightuponlight.


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As they moved forward they saw a handsomeman before whose beauty everything

paled. "This is Yusuf (Joseph), the Prophet," said Jibraeel. Muhammad (PBUH)

approachedhim and greetedhim, and Yusuf (Joseph) greetedhim back with thebest

greengofheaven.Jibraeelsaid:"OutofthebeautyofYusuf(Joseph)camethebeautyof

allhumanbeings.Hisis thebeautyofthefullmoon,thesunandthestars."Yearningfor

angelicbeautywillmelttheheartsofthestonehearted.Thefaintheartedcannothopeto approach its secret, for they will immediately fall under its power and exnguish

themselves in it.That is themeaningof the sweetness ofpainfulyearningin love:the

approach ofbeauty in its absence is sweetersll thanits embraceandpossession.For

possession of the belovedentails thesasfacon of the lowerself,while to remain in

painbecauseofthebelovedisbeerthancomfortandcontentment.

BehindYusuf,Muhammad(PBUH)sawagreathumancrowd,allofthemwearingradiant

angelic dresses. Muhammad (PBUH) asked, "Who are these people, Jibraeel?" He

answered: "Behind Yusuf (Joseph), Allah created seven hundred thousand posts in

paradise;oneachposttherearesevenhundredthousandredjewels;eachjewelcontains

seven hundred thousand palaces; in every palace there are seven hundred thousand

rooms,andineveryroomtherearesevenhundredthousandwindows.Theseroomsare

inhabitedbyhumanbeingswhocarryangelicpowersandspendtheirlivesinloveofeach

otherandnature.TheirheartsarefilledwithloveofMeanddevoidoflowdesires.They

pineforMeandIpineforthem.Everydaythesehumanbeingsappearattheirwindows

and look atthepeople of paradise.From theirbeautyagreatlightshines forth,in the

sameway thatthe sun appears inthewindows of the sky and sheds its lightover the

people on earth. Then the people ofparadise say: 'Letus run towards the Lovers of

Allah.'As soon as they reachthemtheseLovers adornthemwith all kinds of rainbows

and showers of light. Theygive themadressmadeof green silk which symbolizes the

qualiesofthosemadeperfectandagreeabletoAllah."

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THEFOURTHPARADISE:THESHELTERINGGARDEN

Then Jibraeel called for prayer andMuhammad (PBUH) led the prayer among all the

inhabitantsofparadise.Thentheburaqmovedforanotherfivehundredthousandlight-

years duringwhich they travelled towards the fourthheaven which is called Jannatal-

Maawa:the ShelteringGarden.Theretheyheardavoicemixingangelsandspirits.The

doorwasmadeof silveruponafloorofgold.Again,thevoicebehind thedoorasked:

"Who is there?"and Jibraeelanswered, "Muhammad.""Hashe beensent for?""Yes."

Andthedooropened.

Muhammad (PBUH) saw angels standing and sing, lying and bowing, praising and

saying:"SubhanalMalikalQuddusRabb alMalaaikawarRuh,":"Glory totheholiest

King, Rabb (Lord) of the angels and the Spirit!" Muhammad (PBUH) asked Jibraeel,

"Jibraeel,isthatnottheprayerofmygrandfatherAbraham?"andJibraeelsaid,"Yes,this

ishowyourgrandfatherAbrahamusedtopray,andAllahwassohappywiththatprayer

thathecreated an enre hostof angels and filled the fourth heaven with them. He

ordered them torepeatthesameprayer. Ifanyonerecites thatpraisingamonghuman

beings,Allahwillgivethemrewardsaccordingtothenumberoftheseangels."

ThenMuhammad(PBUH) saw twoangels,oneof transparentcrystal like springwater,

andonedenserlikesaltwater.Jibraeelsaid:"Oneistheangelofsweetwaters.Hecarries

alltheoceansofthisuniversewithhisrightthumb.Theotheristheangelofsaltywaters.He carries all the oceans of this universe in his le^ thumb. These are the angels

responsibleforsupporngeverycreatureincreaonthroughwater,sweetorsalty.They

meetwithoutmixing,asAllahhassaid:"Hehasloosenedthetwoseas.Theymeet.There

isabarrierbetweenthem.Theyencroachnotoneupontheother."(40:19-20)

BehindthemMuhammad(PBUH)sawangelsshapedlikebirds,standingonthebankofa

greatriverofparadise.Whenahumanbeingonearthsays:"ThereisnogodonlyAllah,"

oneoftheseangel-birdsopenshiswings.Ifthepersonsays:"GlorytoAllah,"theangel-

birdenters therivertoswiminit.Whenthepersonsays:"PraisebetoAllah,"theangel-birddivesintothewater.Whenthepersonsays:"Allahisgreatest,"theangel-birdcomes

outof theriver.Whentheperson says:"Thereisno powernormightexceptinAllah,"

theangel-birdwill shakeoffthewaterfromhim,and seventythousanddropsofwater

willcomefromhim,outofeachofwhichAllahcreatesanangelthatasksforgivenessfor

thatpersonunlJudgmentDay.Inaddiontothis,Allahordersfortythousandrewards

wrieninthebookofthatoneandkeepsthemforhimunlhisresurrecon.

ThenMuhammad(PBUH)sawamanwho leanedagainstthebooksofhumanbeings,in

whichwereinscribedall theirdeeds.Muhammad(PBUH)asked:"Whois this?"Jibraeelsaid:"ThisistheProphetIdris,peacebeuponhim."Muhammad(PBUH)approachedIdris


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and greeted him. Idrisgreetedhimbackand said:"Welcome to thepious brotherand

perfect prophet." Above him Muhammad (PBUH) saw a domeof light on whichwas

wrien:"ThereisnogodonlyAllah,MuhammadistheMessengerofAllah."Muhammad

(PBUH)lookedinsideitandsawavenerableoldmanwithawhitebeardfilledwithlight

andcrownedwithawhiteturban.Heasked:"Whoisthat,Jibraeel?"Heanswered:"That

is an angel represenngthe Prophet Idris."Muhammad(PBUH) greeted him and said:"Mybrother!Allahhaselevatedyouandhonouredyou,andyouhaveenteredparadise

before me and saw its pleasures." Idris said: "Beloved one! At first I did not enter

paradisenorseeitspleasure.ButwhenIle^thisworldIenteredagardenwithadooron

which I saw: 'Beyond this door none may enter beforeMuhammad (PBUH) and his

naon.'AndIaskedAllah,'ForthesakeofmygrandsonMuhammad (PBUH),letmein.'

Allahletmein,sonowbecauseofyouIaminthisplace."

ThenIdrisrecited:

"ThisStaonsoughtbyallforshelter,

Thislo^yplacewhereallpeoplebowsubdued

AndstandsthenobleMessenger

Withwisdomandmightendued,

Staonofguidanceandangeliclight

Wheregloomofnightandorphans'sadness

Atonceareeffaced,

ThisistheStaonofdirectcommunicaon

Andthefirmfootholdforthosedeterminedtoreach.

TheAll-MercifulcalledhimHisbelovedone

Andheisthebelovedoneoftheuniverse

Andfromhislightcamethelightofalllife."

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18/28

THEFIFTHPARADISE:THEGARDENOFBEAUTYANDFELICITY

Muhammad (PBUH) travelled for five hundred thousand light-years, aêr which he

arrivedatthefi^hparadisewhichiscalledJannatalNaeem:"theGardenofBeautyand

Felicity."Itsdoorismadeofmixedgoldandsilverfromheaven.Jibraeelknockedatthe

doorandavoicesaid:"Whoisit?""Jibraeel,bringingMuhammad(PBUH).""Hashebeen

sent for?""Yes.""Welcome,Beloved one,to thefi^h paradise!"Thedooropenedand

Muhammad (PBUH)saw fivebeauful ladies whoseradiant lightamongtheirservants

madethemappear likediamonds surrounded by pearls.His heartwas movedtowards

them.HeaskedJibraeel:"Whoaretheseladies?"Heanswered:"ThisisHawwa(Eve),the

motherofhumanbeings,thisistheVirginMaryam(Mary),themotherofIsa(Jesus),this

isMusa's (Moses')motherYukabid,andthisisAssia,thewifeofPharaoh."Thefi^h lady

looked likeasunamongstars.Her lightshoneover the restof the inhabitants ofthatparadiselike agentle breezepassing through thetree-leaves. Jibraeel said:"This is an

angelrepresenngyourdaughterFama"

Muhammad (PBUH) asked:"Jibraeel,what is the secretofthis paradise?"Jibraeel said:

"Allahcreatedthis paradisetoreflectthebeautyandperfeconofwomen.Thelightof

thisparadiseisthesourceoftheangeliclightsofallwomenonearth.Womenhavebeen

createdtocarrythesecretofcreaoninthemselves.Allahhashonouredthemgreatlyby

makingtheirwombs therepository ofHiswordwhichrepresents theSpirit.Helooksat

themost sacred placeand theredescends His mercyand blessings.Heperfected thatplaceandcovereditwiththreeprotecvelayerstoshelteritfromanydamage.Thefirst

is a layerof light,thesecondalayerof love,and the third a layerofbeauty.Therehe

fashionsandcreateshumanbeingsaêrHislikeness,asMuhammad(PBUH)said:'Allah

created Adam aêr His likeness.' He orders the angels of the womb to perfect His

creaon by giving the baby life, beauty, health, intelligence, and all kinds of perfect

aributesthatwillmakeeachonedisnguishedamonghumanbeings."

"Womenarenotcreatedweakerbutmoregenerous thanmen.Theyare createdmore

beaufulandlessfierce,asbeautyhatestohurtandharmothers.Thatiswhytheyseemweakto people,but inreality theyarenot.Angels are thestrongestof createdbeings,

andwomenareclosertotheangelicnaturethanmen,as theyare readierthanmento

carryangeliclight.Itisthegoodmannersandethicsofspiritualitywhichtheycarrywhich

makesthemlessforcefulthanmen.Evenphysically,however,theyareextremelystrong.

Theyundergo greatupheavals intheirbodywithoutflinchingfor thesakeofchildbirth,

and face the direst physical condions more successfully thanmen because Allah has

enabledthemtoinsurethesurvivalofgeneraons."

"Allahgavewomenfiveangelicqualieswhichmen rarelyhave.Theyarethesourceofpeace,asAllahsaidthatHecreatedthem"sothatyoumightfindrestinthem"(30:21).


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This is theaributeofthefirstparadisewhichisnamed"theAbodeofPeace."Theyare

oasisof constancy inthemidstofchaosandchange.Thatiswhy they givebirthas the

mothernurturesandsheltersthebabymorereliablythanthefather.Thisisthearibute

of the second paradise, which is named 'the Abode of Constancy.' They perpetuate

generaons. Through their offspring Allah creates angelic prophets and saints who

establishHisperpetualremembranceonearthastheangelsestablishitinheaven.Thisisthe aribute of the third paradise which is named 'the Abode of Eternity.' They are

generous and bounful.Theyaredescribed as 'a ferle land' in all Scripturesbecause

they give without counng, including life. They sacrifice themselves for the sake of

another creaon,and this is the aribute of the fourth paradisewhich is named 'the

Sheltering Garden.' Finally, they are the sourceofBeauty. Through their so^ness and

subtlety, Allah has crowned the earth with the diadem of angelic grace. This is the

aributeofthefi^hparadisewhichisnamed"theGardenofBeauty."

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THESIXTHPARADISE:THEGARDENOFEDEN

Muhammad(PBUH)travelledagainontheburaqforfivehundredthousandyears.Onhis

wayto thesixthparadisewhich is called JannatalAden:"theGardenof Eden,"hesaw

naons and naons of saffron-coloured angels standingon pedestals of pink marble.

They had one thousandwings and on eachwingtherewereone thousand faces.Each

face had one thousand mouths saying: "Praise be to the Rabb (Lord) of Majesty and

Splendour!" Jibraeel knocked at the door of the sixth paradise which was made of

aquamarineandgold.Asusual,avoiceaskedfrombehind thedoorwhowasthereand

theanswerwasgiven:"Jibraeel,bringingMuhammad (PBUH).""Hashebeensentfor?"

saidthevoice."Yes,"repliedJibraeel.Thedoorwasopened.Muhammad(PBUH)entered

andwhathesawpassedallimaginaonand all recorded books,all fabled accounts,all

legends,allhistories.

Silentgoldsatonstarsofpearl.Undereverypearlfi^ythousandangelswhirledinalake

ofgalaxiesproducingaheavenlysoundlikeamillionbirdshummingontopofthebuzzing

of a million bees. Everything is moving at the speed of light but at the same me

everythingissilentandsll.EachangelspokewordsofgreengstoMuhammad(PBUH)

atthesamemeinadifferentlanguagebutdisnctlyandwithoutanyclashonewiththe

other.Theirwords werephrased in diadems and garlands of lightwhich hewore one

a^ertheotheronhisheadandaroundhisneck.AhugeangelnamedSemlaeelappeared

at the head of ten thousand processions of similar angels wearing a crown of mul-coloured garnets and recingpraise of Allah in an angelic language which madeeach

angelswoonand riseupin turn.Thesewerethekarubiyyun:'Those broughtnear.'No

oneon earth can see them and live becauseof the intensity of their lightwhich they

borrowfromtheOnetheybehold.

Muhammad(PBUH)asked:"Jibraeel!Whatisthisuntarnishedheavenlysound?""Rasool

Allah!"Jibraeelanswered,"Thisisthemusicoftheangelicsoulsinthepresenceoftheir

Rabb(Lord)tremblinglikealeaf,notdaringtomoveorspeak,awedandannihilatedby

perfecon,yet vivified and moved by divineLight, rushing to the divinemeengandannouncingyourcoming."

Muhammad (PBUH) saw ahoney-coloured angel of astoundingbeautyandof yeteven

greatermajestyso thathismajestyoverpoweredhisbeauty.Hehadalongmaneofhair

andalongbeardoutofwhichlightflashedlikethunderbolts.Hehadasternfaceandyet

a child'seyes.His enormous chestseemedtoheave like adormantvolcanounderhis

shirtofheavenlybrocade.WhenMuhammad (PBUH)enquiredabouthim,Jibraeelsaid:

"ThisisyourbrotherMusa(Moses).HeistheonewhoprayedsixmesontheMountof

SinaiinordertobeasimpleservantinyourNaon.Heisthevanquisheroftyrantsandthe secret of his father Yaqoob (Jacob). Allah wrote for him the character of a fiery


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servant.ThatiswhyheapproachedtheburningbushandwasnotafraidwhenHisRabb

(Lord)wantedtospeaktohim."

Musa (Moses) was crying and he said to Muhammad (PBUH): "Prophet of the Last

Naon!Intercedeformeandmypeople."Muhammad(PBUH)said:"Whyareyoucrying,

my brotherMusa(Moses)?"He replied:"I cry for loveof youand for thegreathonourwhere Allahhas raised you andmadeyournaoncountless people and othernaons

veryfew,evenmine.Muhammad!youarethesealofprophetsandthelightofcreaon.

Allah is raising you today to His presence, to a staon where no-one can reach.

Rememberme thereasAllahmadeyou theintercessorforall humanbeings including

prophets,fromAdamtoIsa(Jesus).Thenherecited:

"ProphetsprungfromHashim'sline,

LoverofHimWhoislaudedabove,

Sealerofeverybookrevealedtomankind.

Openeroftreasuredknowledgesublime

WhomountedtheburaqtoascendtohisRabb(Lord),

AllahinWhosepresencenonebeforehadremained,

Approachthatplacewhereonlyangelsdrawnear

MessengerofAllahbeforewhomwindsandcloudsmove

Andlayopenclearmyriadpathstocelesallight.

Foryourintercessionhumansoulspleadandyearn,

Prophetatwhosesightangelsdelight!

Itisyouforwhomparadisewasmadeandadorned,

Foryouthefurthest-treeoffarthestlimitismadetostand

Andbearthefruitofcompassionineveryland.

BelovedMuhammad,mayAllahgrantustobe

Alwaysnumberedinyournobleband."

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THESEVENTHPARADISE:JANNATALFIRDAWS

Muhammad (PBUH) arrived at the seventh paradisewhoseroof touches theHeavenly

Throneand whosename is Jannat al Firdaws,a^era travel of five hundred thousand

light-years.Heknockedatthedoorwhichwasmadeofpureemerald,topaz,beryl,and

gold.A^erheenteredhesawanothergateoflight.Fromitcamethepraiseofnaonsof

hiddenangelsatwhosesightonewoulddieofawebecauseoftheirintensebeauty.Their

laudwas simply:"Praisebeto the Creatorof Light!"Beyond this itis notpermied to

speak about them.Muhammad (PBUH) greeted themwith the greeng of peace and

proceededpastthegateofgoldtoadomeoflightwhichencompassedalltheprevious

heavens, although the distance he had travelled between the sixth and the seventh

heavenwasthesameasthatbetweeneachtwooftheotherlayersofparadise.

InsidethedomeMuhammad(PBUH)sawanangelicbeingwhichresembledhiminevery

fashion andwhowas leaningagainstawallofwhite silkwhichseemed tomove likea

waterfall andyetstandfirm.Muhammad(PBUH)askedwho thatwas and Jibraeel said:

"ThisisyourgrandfatherIbraheem(Abraham),theleaderofthepureofheartandagreat

oneamongprophets." Ibraheem (Abraham) said: "Welcome to the pious son and the

perfected Prophet!"Around Ibraheem(Abraham)stood crowned angels. Eachof their

crownscontainedfourhundreddiamonds,eachworthmorethanwhattheenreearth

contains.Attheirservicestoodthrongsofangelscrownedwiththelightoftheprevious

angelsandallwerereadingtheAyatulKursi.Jibraeelsaid:"Thisistheversethatkeepstheuniversefirm in the balance.This is the secretof theorderof Creaon."And the

angelsrecited:

Allah! There is no god save Him, the Living, the Eternal, Neither slumber nor sleep

overtakes him.Unto him belongs whatsoever is in the heavens andwhatsoever is in

earth.Who ishe thatintercedeswith himsavebyHis leave?Heknowsthatwhichis in

front of them and thatwhich is behind them,While they encompass nothing of His

knowledgeexceptwhatHewill.His Kursi includestheheavensandtheearth,AndHeis

neverwearyofpreservingthem.HeistheSublime,theTremendous.(2:255)

Circumambulang the building against which Ibraheem (Abraham) leaned, the enre

universes,thethrongsofangelsofthesevenheavens,theangelsofmercyandtheangels

ofwrath,theangelsofbeauty,theangelsbroughtnear,thegreatandthesmallangels,

the visibleand the invisibleangels,and all thehuman beings whoseangelic souls had

beenpurifiedandelevatedtothedivinepresence,theprophets,thetruthful saints,the

martyrs,therighteous,allofcreaonwhirledandturnedinthesamedireconasevery

heavenlybody,counterclockwise,aroundtheKaabaoftheheavens.Muhammad(PBUH)

said: "Jibraeel, How wondrous are the incredible marvels of my Rabb (Lord)!" AndJibraeelreplied:"Muhammad!YouhaveseenonlyaglimpseofthewondersofAllah."


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THEFURTHEST-TREEOFTHEFURTHESTBOUNDARY

Muhammad (PBUH) and Jibraeel travelled oncemore unl they reached theabsolute

limit of the created intellect, named Sidrat al Muntaha: "The Furthest-Tree of the

FurthestBoundary."Theretheysawnothingwhichthetonguecoulddescribe.Theeffect

ofthesighttheybeheldonMuhammad(PBUH)isasecretwhichtookplaceinhisheart.

A sound came to them from above which dissipated some of Muhammad's (PBUH)

astonishment.Atthatmehesawalargetreewhichdoesnotresembleanyofthetrees

of paradise, a tree without descripon, covering all the paradises, heavens, and

universes.ThetrunkofthetreewasahugeangelnamedSamrafeel.Muhammad(PBUH)

could seenothingelsebesides it.Itgrew fromaninfinite,unimaginable, indescribable

ocean ofmusk.Thetreehad an infinitenumberofbranches,createdfrom aheavenly

elementthathasnonameinacreatedlanguage.Thedistancebetweenonebranchandanotherwas fivehundred thousand light-years.On every branch there was an infinite

numberofleaves.Ifallthecreateduniverseswereplacedonasingleoneoftheseleaves

theywoulddisappear,likeanatomdisappearsinsideanoceanofwater.Oneveryleafsat

ahugeangelinamul-colouredlight.Onhisheadwasacrownoflightand inhishanda

staffof light.Wrien on theirforeheadwas theinscripon:"Wearethe inhabitantsof

theFurthest-Tree."Theirpraisewas:"PraisebetoAllahWhohasnoend."Theirnames

aretheSarufiyyun,"Thesecretones,"becausetheyarecreatedfromtheabsolutesecret

oftheirRabb(Lord).

Fromthetrunkofthetreefourabsolutespringsissued.Thefirstwasapure,transparent,

crystalwater;thesecondwasariverofwhitemilk;thethirdwasariverofpleasurable,

untarnished wine thatelevates without abasing; the fourthwas a riverofpurehoney

mixed with gold. Inside the trunk was the prayer-niche of Jibraeel, and his constant

wordsofpraiseare:AllahuAkbar:AllahisGreat!towhichthereplyalwayscomesfrom

above:AnaAkbar:IamGreater!AnaAkbar:IamGreater!

Jibraeelenteredhisprayer-nicheandhecalledfortheprayer.AlltheSarufiyyunstoodin

rows and Muhammad (PBUH) led them in prayer. The prayer finished and all theSarufiyyunwereordered to give their greengs to Muhammad (PBUH) one a^er the

other.A^erthis,agreatangel cameout frombehindJibraeel'sprayer-nicheandasked

Muhammad(PBUH)toapproach.

Muhammad (PBUH)and Jibraeel entered thetrunkofthetreeandreached in aglance

theenresightofcreaon.OnthetopofthetreetheysawAdamandHawwaandNuh,

Ibraheem,Musa,Isa,andalltheotherprophetswhom theyhadjustvisited.Withthem

they sawall theirrespecvenaons,singwith them inspirittogetherwith thoseof

Muhammad's naon who had already le^ this world. All were sing there together,happy,baskingintheloveandbeautyoftheirRabb's(Lord's)mercyandpraisingHim.


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ThatFurthest-TreecarriestheknowledgeofallofAllah'screaonfromthebeginningof

itssequenceinme.Whateveriscreatedispartofitandcontainedinit.Itwascalledthe

tree"of thefurthermostboundary"because everythingends in itand a^er itbegins a

newlife.AllahdecorateditwiththelightofHisownessence.Ithasthreecharacteriscs:

a connuous shade of light extending over every creaon, a connuous pleasure

reachingeveryone from the fruitof its branches,and a connuous fragrancefrom itsflowersscenngwithbeautythelifeofcreaon.

Then Muhammad (PBUH) and Jibraeel moved forward. A stern and severe angel

appearedandcovered thehorizon beforethem.Jibraeel said:"Muhammad!This is the

angelofdeath,Azraeel."Theangelofdeathsaid:"Welcome,Muhammad!Youwhobear

goodness,andwelcometoalltheprophetsandtheirnaons.Thisistheplacefromwhich

I gaze at the desnies of every person and seize the spirits of those whom I am

commandedtobringtoeternallife."

Muhammad (PBUH)asked:"Tellmehowyou takethesouls of thedying."Theangelof

death revealed toMuhammad (PBUH):"When Allah orders me to takethe spiritof a

humanbeingatthelasthourofhislifeandthefirsthourofhisa^erlife,Isendtohimmy

depues who carry with them the smell of paradise and a branch from the tree of

paradisewhichtheyputbetween his eyes.Whenthatsweetsmell reacheshimandhe

catchesaglimpseof thatheavenlybranch,his spirit is aracted and his soulbegins to

ascendtoparadise,unlitreacheshisthroat.Atthatme,IdescendfrommyplaceandI

takehisspiritwiththegreatestcare,becauseAllahwantsthismomenttobeeasyonHis

servant.I thencarry his soultoparadise.On theway,wheneverI pass by angels,then

angelswill greetthissouland saluteitunl itreachesthepresenceof its Rabb(Lord).

Allah the Exalted says to thatsoul at that me: "Welcome to the good spirit which I

created and placed in agood body!My angels!Write theupperlayerof paradiseas a

reward for thatperson."Thenangels takehim upto paradise,wherehewill seewhat

Allahhaspreparedforhimandhewillbehappytostaythere.However,Allahordersthe

spirittogobacktohisbodyonearth,wherehecanseethe

peoplewashinghim,cryingforhim,andallthosewholovehimstandingaroundhimunl

theytakethebodytothegrave.Therethesoilsaystohim:"Welcome,mybelovedone!Iwasalways yearning foryou when you were aboveme.Nowyou are in meand Iwill

showyouwhatIamgoingtogiveyou."Immediately,hisgravewillbeenlargedbeyond

sight, unl the two angels of the grave come and ask himabout his Rabb (Lord) and

abouthisbelief.HewillgivethemthecorrectanswersbyAllah'spermission.Atthatme

theywillopenforhimadoorleadingtoparadiseandhisspiritwillgobackupwardtothe

sameplacewhereAllahfirstcalledhimtoHispresence."

"Irememberwhendeathhadseparatedus.

IconsoledmyselfwiththethoughtoftheBelovedProphet.Isaid:Allofusgoonthiswayoneday.

Whodoesnotdietoday,hewilldietomorrow.


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Behappy,mysoul,becauseyourRabb(Lord)iswaingforyou

Andthebelovedoneiscallingyou."

ThenJibraeelmovedforwardanotherfivehundredthousandlight-years,mountedonthe

buraq, unl they reached a place where Jibraeel began to slow down. Muhammad

(PBUH)said:"Jibraeel!Whyareyouslowingdown?Areyouleavingme?"Jibraeelreplied:"I cannot go further." Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Jibraeel, don't leave me alone."

"Muhammad!"Jibraeelsaid,"Younowhavetostepdownfromtheburaqandmovetoa

placewhichno-onehasenteredbeforeyou."Atthatmomenttheburaqstoppedandwas

unable to move further. Muhammad (PBUH) stepped down and moved hesitantly.

Jibraeelsaid:"Muhammad,moveforwardwithoutfear.If IweretoconnuewithyouI

wouldbeannihilatedforthegreatnessoftheLight."

Muhammad (PBUH)moved,andmoved,andmoved.HesawMikaeelstandingaheadof

him,afraidandtrembling.Thelightofhisfacewaschangingquicklyfromonecolourto

another. Muhammad (PBUH) asked: "Mikaeel, is this your staon?" "Yes," Mikaeel

answered,"and if Iweretotrespass itI wouldbeannihilated.Butyou goonanddon't

stop."Muhammad(PBUH)moved,andmoved,andmoved.ThenhefoundIsrafeelwith

hisfourhugewings,oneofwhichcoveredhisfacetoveilhimfromthelightwhichcame

from the horizon of everything.Muhammad (PBUH) asked him: "Is this your staon,

Israfeel?"Israfeelsaid,"Yes.IfItrespassit,thatlightwouldburnme.Butyoumoveon

anddonotfear."AndMuhammad(PBUH)moved,andmoved,andmoved.Hesawthe

SpirittowhomAllahgavethepowerofearthandtheheavens.Fromthetopofhishead

totheboomofhisfeetandfromeverycellofhistherewerefaceswithtraitsofsubtle

light,thenumberofwhichno-oneknowsbutAllah,andfrom theeach ofwhich Allah

createsanangel-spiritwhich looks liketheSpirit,whomHethen takes tohimselfasthe

spirit-angelsoftheDivinePresence.

EverydaytheSpiritlooksintohellthreemes,andbecauseofthecoollightofhisangelic

gaze the fire of hell melts unl it becomes as a rainbow. The Spirit also looks into

paradisethreemeseverydayandextendsto itthedivinelightwhichAllahgiveshim.If

AllahgatheredthetearsoftheeyesoftheSpirititwouldfloodallthecreateduniversesandmakeNuh's (Noah's)floodseem likethedropgatheredbyaneedledipped intothe

ocean.ThisistheSpiritwhomAllahmenonedintheQuran:

"ThedaywhentheSpiritandtheangels rise,no-oneshallspeakexceptwithpermission

fromHisRabb(Lord)."

Muhammad (PBUH) said:"Spirit! Is this your staon?"The spiritreplied: "Yes,and if I

trespass it Iwill be annihilated by the lightwhich I am receiving.Muhammad!Move

forward and donotbe afraid. Youareinvitedand youhave permission."Muhammad(PBUH)movedforward.Allahinspiredhisheartwiththefollowingdiscourse:"ItheRabb

(Lord),haveveiledmyself fromthe inhabitantsofparadise,as Ihaveveiledmyself from


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the inhabitants of the earth.As I veiledMyself from theirminds, I veiled myself from

theirvision.Iamneverinanything,andIamneverawayfromanything."

Muhammad (PBUH)thenmoved throughoneveila^eranotherunlhepassed through

onethousandveils.Finallyheopened theVeilofOneness.Hefoundhimselflikealamp

suspended in themiddle of adivine air.He sawamagnificent, great andunuerablemaer.HeaskedhisRabb(Lord)togivehimfirmnessandstrength.Hefeltthatadropof

thatpresencewas putonhis tongueand hefound itcoolerthaniceandsweeterthan

honey.Nothingonearthandthesevenparadises tasted like it.Withthisdrop,Allahput

intoMuhammad's hearttheknowledgeof theFirstand the Last,theheavenly and the

earthly.All thiswasrevealedto him inoneinstantshorter than the fastestsecond.He

wasorderedtomoveforward.Ashemovedhefoundhimselfelevatedonathronethat

canneverbedescribed,noworlater.Threeaddionaldropsweregiven tohim:oneon

hisshoulderconsisnginmajesty,oneinhisheartconsisnginmercy,andanaddional

oneonhistonguewhichconsisted ineloquence.Thenavoicecamefromthatpresence,

whichnocreatedbeinghadheardbefore:"Muhammad!Ihavemadeyoutheintercessor

foreveryone."AtthatmomentMuhammad(PBUH)felthismindenrapturedand taken

away to bereplacedwith an astonishing secret.He was placed in thefieldsof Allah's

EternityandEndlessness.Inthefirsthefoundnobeginningandinthesecondhefound

noend.ThenAllah revealedtoHim:"MyendisinMybeginningandMybeginningisin

My end."ThenMuhammad (PBUH) knewthatalldoors wereabsolutely closed except

thosethatled toAllah, thatAllah cannotbedescribed within the confineof aplacein

speech,andthatAllahencompassestheeverywhereofallplaces.Thisisasecretthatno

tonguecanbesrredtoexpress,nodooropenedtoreveal,andnoanswercandefine.He

istheGuidetoHimselfandtheRabb(Lord)ofHisowndescripon.HeistheBeautyofall

beautyandthespeechbywhichtodescribeHimselfbelongstoHimalone.

AllahmyCreator,inYourinfinitydoIstandamazed.

InYouroceanofunitydoIdrownsubmerged.

Allah,atmesYouareclosetomeinfamiliarinmacy.

AtmesYouleavemewithout,veiledandstrange,

HiddeninYoursovereignMajesty.GivemetodrinkthewineofYourlove,

ForonlydrunkfromitamIabletosay:

MyRabb(Lord)!LetmeseeYou.

Muhammad (PBUH) then looked on his right and sawnothing exceptHis Rabb (Lord),

thenon his le^andsawnothingexcepthisRabb (Lord),then tothe front, to theback,

and above him, and he saw nothing except his Rabb (Lord). He hated to leave that

honouredand blessedplace.ButAllah said:"Muhammad,you are aMessenger toMy

servantsasallMessengers,ifyoustayhereyouwouldneverbeabletocommunicateMyMessage. Therefore descend back to earth, and communicate My message to My

servants.Wheneveryouwanttobeinthesamestateasyouarenow,makeyourprayers,


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andIshallopenthisstateforyou."ThisiswhyMuhammad(PBUH)stated:"Prayeristhe

appleofmyeyes,"andhecalleditalso:"Ourrest."

ThenMuhammad(PBUH)wasorderedtogobacktoearth,buthele^theself inheaven

andhisspiritattheFurthest-tree,andhisheartintheunuerabledivinepresencewhile

his secretwas le^suspendedwithoutplace.His selfwondered: "Where is theheart?"And theHeartwondered:"Whereisthespirit?"Andthespiritwondered:"Whereisthe

secret?"Andthesecretwonderedwhereitwas.AndAllahrevealed:"SelfofMuhammad

(PBUH)! I granted you the blessingand the forgiveness,and spirit! I granted you the

mercyandthehonour,andheart!Igrantedyoutheloveandthebeauty,andsecret,you

haveMe."Allah thenrevealedtoMuhammad (PBUH)theordertorecite:"Heis theone

who sends blessingson you,togetherwithHis angels, in order to bring you out from

darkness into light"(33:43)."Muhammad!IhaveorderedtheangelsofallMyheavens,

those created and those yet uncreated, to send blessings on you and My creaon

unceasingly,withMyownpraise.IamyourRabb (Lord)Whosaid:MyMercyhas taken

overMy anger. And all My angels I have created for you human beings." And Allah

orderedMuhammad(PBUH)todescendwiththisangelicmessagebacktoearth.

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