The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 271
VIII - Expansion of Preaching 271 upon it, about which the Holy Prophet sa says, “Words have not the power to describe it. ” There were four rivers flowing beneath this tree. Gabriel as told the Holy Prophet sa that “Among these, two rivers are the physical rivers of this world, the Nile River and the Euphrates. The other two are the hidden rivers which flow to paradise. ” At this instance, the Holy Prophet sa witnessed Gabriel as in his actual figure and form. The Holy Prophet sa saw that Gabriel as was adorned with six-hundred wings. After this, the Holy Prophet sa was given a tour of paradise. In the end, the Holy Prophet sa witnessed that he was presented in the royal court of the Mighty God. Allāh the Exalted directly spoke to the Holy Prophet sa and gave him various glad-tidings. Eventually, he was informed by God the Almighty that fifty prayers had been prescribed for the community of the Holy Prophet sa day and night. When the Holy Prophet sa returned with these injunctions, Moses as stopped him on the way and inquired, “What injunctions have you been given?” The Holy Prophet sa related the ordainment of fifty prayers. When Moses as heard this, he was startled and said, “I am experienced on account of my dealings with the Banī Isrā’īl. In no way shall your community be able to bear so many prayers. Thus, go back and request God to lighten these commands. ” The Holy Prophet sa returned where after by a reduction of ten, Allāh the Exalted ordained forty prayers. However, on the way back, Moses as stopped the Holy Prophet sa again, and said “Even these are too many, go back and request for further leniency. ” Upon this, the Holy Prophet sa returned again, and a reduction of ten further prayers was approved. Therefore, in this manner, on the suggestion of Moses as , the Holy Prophet sa would return to the court of God again and again, until finally, five prayers were ordained. Upon this, Moses as stopped the Holy Prophet sa once more, and proposed that he return again to request further leniency, and said, “I have seen the Banī Isrā’īl, and they were not able to perform even less worship than this” , but the Holy Prophet sa refused saying, “Now I feel embarrassed to return again. ” At this, a hidden voice was heard that, “O Muḥammad! These are five prayers, but they are equivalent to fifty, for we have fixed a reward of ten prayers for every one prayer. In this manner, our servants have received leniency and our actual order has been upheld. ” After this, passing through the different heavens, when the Holy Prophet sa came down again, his eyes were opened (meaning this state of vision began to fade). The Holy Prophet sa noticed