It also contains: “The Almighty drew near and descended.” Aisha stated that the one who drew near and descended was Gabriel (1).

Our shaykh, the Imam, may Allah have mercy on him, said: In my view, this objection is not valid, because this was a dream vision which Allah showed him before the revelation, as indicated by the end of the hadith: “Then he awoke and found himself in the Sacred Mosque.” He was then taken up in the waking state after the revelation, one year before the Hijrah, thus fulfilling the vision he had previously seen—just as he saw the conquest of Makkah in a dream in the year of al-Hudaybiyyah, six years after the Hijrah, and its fulfilment came in the eighth year. Then Allah, exalted is He, revealed: “Indeed, Allah has fulfilled His Messenger’s vision in truth.” (al-Fath 48:27) (2)

It is also related that, when the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, returned on the night of his Night Journey and was at Dhu Tuwa, he said, “O Gabriel, my people will not believe me.” Gabriel replied, “Abu Bakr will believe you; he is al-Siddiq, the utterly truthful.” (3)

Ibn Abbas and Aisha reported from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: “When the night journey was made with me, and I awoke in Makkah the following morning, I was deeply distressed and knew that people would deny me.” It is related that he sat apart in sorrow. Abu Jahl passed by him, sat beside him, and mockingly asked, “Have you heard anything new?” He replied, “Yes. I was taken on a night journey tonight.” He asked, “Where to?” He said, “To Jerusalem.” He asked, “Then you are here among us this morning?” He replied, “Yes.” Abu Jahl refrained from contradicting him, lest he retract his account. He said, “Will you tell your people what you have told me?” He replied, “Yes.”

Abu Jahl called out, “O assembly of Banu Ka‘b ibn Lu’ayy, come here!” The gatherings dispersed, and they came until they sat with the two of them. He said, “Tell your people what you told me.” He replied, “Yes. I was taken on a night journey tonight.” They asked, “Where to?” He said, “To Jerusalem.” They asked, “Then you are here among us this morning?” He replied, “Yes.” Some began clapping, while others placed their hands upon their heads in astonishment. Some of those who had believed in him and affirmed him apostatized. A man from among the polytheists hurried to Abu Bakr and said, “What do you say about your companion? He claims that he was taken tonight on a journey to Jerusalem.” Abu Bakr asked, “Has he said that?” He replied, “Yes.” 205/a He said, “If he has said it, then he has spoken the truth.” They said, “And you believe him that he went to Jerusalem in a single night and returned before morning?” He said, “Yes. Indeed, I believe him concerning what is even more remarkable than that: I believe him when he brings news from heaven, morning or evening.” It was for this reason that Abu Bakr was called al-Siddiq, the utterly truthful.