The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 267
VIII - Expansion of Preaching 267 described the details of that city. Therefore, by the Holy Qur’ān, Ḥadīth and history, it is categorically established that the Mi‘rāj and Isrā’ were purely spiritual experiences, which were shown to the Holy Prophet sa under special wisdoms. As for those who have claimed otherwise, in their hands is nothing but weak and empty argumentation. However, as we have mentioned above, by interpreting the Mi‘rāj and Isrā’ as a spiritual experience, our intent is in no way to limit these visions to minor dreams, which the Holy Prophet sa witnessed in his sleep. Anyone who entertains this notion has not understood the reality of the Isrā’ and Mi‘rāj at all, and is at greater fault than those who have linked these visions to a physical and bodily state. Quite the contrary, the truth is that just as the spiritual faculties of an individual are sharpened and refined based on spiritual rank, according to the status of one’s nearness, Allāh the Exalted also opens the doors to spiritual heights equally. It is for this reason that according to his lofty and magnificent status, these spiritual experiences were far ahead of even the finest visions of others, in which the Holy Prophet sa was given a tour of the highest possible spiritual mountains, where to this day no man has stepped foot, with a complete body of divine radiance. It is obvious that in comparison to this, a mere dream holds no value, nor does a mere physical and bodily flight, which is, nothing more than a strange spectacle. God-forbid our purpose is not to imply that God the Almighty does not possess the power to take a man with his physical body into the heavens. Rather, the purpose is merely this that it is not proven by the Holy Qur’ān, authentic Aḥādīth and reliable historical accounts that in the Isrā’ and Mi‘rāj the Holy Prophet sa was lifted with his physical body. Rather, quite the contrary, the proven fact is that this was a very fine and holy spiritual flight, which the Holy Prophet sa experienced in the form of a vision. In a visual and symbolic manner, this flight possessed many hidden realities and indications, which were fulfilled with great grandeur at their appointed times, and are still being fulfilled. On the other hand, at this instance, there is nothing wrong in stating that although anything is possible by divine power, there are certain things which God Almighty has Himself declared to be against His custom. Among these very things is an individual’s physical bodily ascension into the heavens. Therefore, it is clearly mentioned in the Holy Qur’ān that on one instance, when