or perhaps he said, “in al-Hijr (1), the area adjoining the Ka'bah, between sleep and wakefulness.” He also mentioned being between two men (2). “Then a basin of gold, filled with wisdom and faith, was brought to me. I was split open from my throat to the lower part of my abdomen (3), my heart was taken out and washed, then filled, and restored (4).”
Sa'id and Hisham said: “Then my abdomen was washed with the water of Zamzam, and I was filled with faith and wisdom. Then I was brought al-Buraq, a long, white riding beast, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule. It would set its hoof at the furthest point its sight could reach. I mounted it and set out with Gabriel until I came to Jerusalem. I tied it to the ring to which the prophets tied their mounts. Then I entered the mosque and performed two units of prayer there, after which I came out. Gabriel then brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk. I chose the milk, and Gabriel said, ‘You have chosen the natural disposition.’
“Gabriel then took me up to the lowest heaven and sought entry. It was asked, ‘Who is this?’ He replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is with you?’ He replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been sent as a messenger?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ It was said, ‘Welcome to him; what an excellent arrival he has made!’ Then it was opened. When I had passed through, I found Adam there. Gabriel said to me, ‘This is your father Adam, so greet him.’ I greeted him, and he returned the greeting. Then he said, ‘Welcome to the righteous Prophet and the righteous son.’”
In Abu Dharr’s hadith: “We ascended to the lowest heaven, where there was a man sitting, with dark figures to his right and dark figures to his left. Whenever he looked to his right, he smiled; and whenever he looked to his left, he wept. He said, ‘Welcome to the righteous Prophet and the righteous son.’ I said to Gabriel, ‘Who is this?’ He replied, ‘This is Adam, and these dark figures on his right and left are the souls of his children. Those on his right are the people of Paradise, while the dark figures on his left are the people of the Fire. Thus, whenever he looks to his right, he smiles, and whenever he looks to his left, he weeps.’
“Then he ascended until he came to the second heaven and sought entry. It was asked, ‘Who is this?’ He replied, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is with you?’ He replied, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been sent as a messenger?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ It was said, ‘Welcome to him; what an excellent arrival he has made!’ Then it was opened, and when I had passed through, there was