The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 269
VIII - Expansion of Preaching 269 to His prophet that which He revealed and the pure heart of the messenger was not untrue in what it witnessed; rather whatever it saw was correct. Then O Ye People! Do you then doubt these spiritual visions of Our messenger, even though at that time he saw another vision (greater than this) as well? The same one which he saw near the farthest Lote-tree, which is near the Garden of Eternal Abode, and upon which a special manifestation was being expressed. Indeed, at that time, the eye of Muḥammad sa did not deviate, nor did it surpass the appointed limits. Moreover, during this experience, the Holy Prophet sa witnessed the greatest of the Signs of the God of Majesty. ” 1 Unfortunately, there is somewhat of a disaccord in the Aḥādīth which have been narrated in the explanation and elaboration of this Qur’ānic reference. Moreover, as per the custom, as a narration began to fall from its high status of reliability, weaker portions found more and more way of inclusion. Therefore, at this place, we shall limit ourselves to sound and reliable narrations alone, and even among these, we shall suffice upon only that portion which, according to our research, is free from disaccord and amalgamation. As such, it should be understood that the following is a summary of authentic narrations with regards to the Mi‘rāj : One night, the Holy Prophet sa was resting in a section of the Masjid- e-Ḥarām referred to as the Ḥaṭīm. He was in a middle-state of sleep and wakefulness, in other words, the eye of the Holy Prophet sa slept, but his heart was awake, when the Holy Prophet sa saw Gabriel as appear. Gabriel as approached the Holy Prophet sa and woke him up, brought him to the fountain of Zamzam and cut open his breast, after which he thoroughly cleansed the heart of the Holy Prophet sa with pure water. After this, a golden platter full of faith and wisdom was brought. Gabriel as filled the heart of the Holy Prophet sa with this treasure of wisdom and faith, and then sealed the breast of the Holy Prophet sa. Gabriel as then ascended into the heavens with the Holy Prophet sa and upon reaching the door of the first heaven, he knocked. The Gatekeeper inquired, “Who is it?” Gabriel as responded, “It is I, Gabriel and with me is Muḥammad sa ”. The Gatekeeper inquired, “Has Muḥammad sa been summoned?” Gabriel as answered in the affirmative. At this the Gatekeeper opened the door and welcomed the Holy Prophet sa. When the Holy Prophet sa entered, he saw an elderly man who addressed him saying, “Welcome O righteous Prophet! Welcome O righteous Son!” 1 An-Najm (53:6-19)