Chapter: Mention of the Distinction Allah, Majestic and Exalted, Conferred upon the Prophet—May Allah Bless Him and Grant Him Peace—by Taking Him by Night to Himself

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn—may Allah have mercy on him—said: Among the distinctions Allah, Majestic and Exalted, conferred upon the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—honoring him thereby and further exalting his standing, was that Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was taken by night, in body and mind, until he reached Jerusalem. He was then raised through the heavens and saw some of his Lord’s greatest signs. He saw the angels of his Lord, Majestic and Exalted, and his brethren among the prophets, until he reached his Generous Lord, who honored him with the greatest of honors and prescribed five prayers for him and his nation. All this occurred in Mecca in a single night, and by morning he was back in Mecca. Through him, the Generous Allah brought joy to the eyes of the believers and anguish to the eyes of the disbelievers and all the heretics.

Allah, Majestic and Exalted, said:

“Glory be to Him who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We might show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” [al-Isrā: 1]

The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—explained how he was taken by night, how he rode the Burāq, and how he was raised. We shall relate this, if Allah Most High wills.