I was brought the Burāq(1)—a mount smaller than a mule yet larger than a donkey, pure white; its stride(2) reached the farthest(3) point that its gaze could attain. I mounted it, and Gabriel, peace be upon him, set off with me until he reached the lowest heaven and asked for the gate to be opened.

Someone asked, “Who is this?” He replied, “Gabriel.” They said, “And who is with you?” He answered, “Muhammad.” He was asked(4), “Has he been sent for?” He replied, “Yes.” They said, “Welcome to him; how excellent is this arrival!” The gate was then opened.

When I entered, there was Adam. Gabriel said, “This is your father Adam; offer him greetings.” I greeted him, and he returned the greeting, saying, “Welcome, noble son and righteous prophet.”

Gabriel then ascended with me to the second heaven and sought entry. It was said, “Who is this?” He replied, “Gabriel.” They asked, “And who is with you?” He answered, “Muhammad.” They said, “Has he been sent for?” He said, “Yes.” They responded, “Welcome to him; how excellent is this arrival!” The gate was opened, and when I entered I found John and Jesus, who were maternal cousins. Gabriel said, “This is John and Jesus; greet them.” I greeted them, and they returned the greeting, saying, “Welcome, righteous brother and righteous prophet.”(5)

Then Gabriel ascended until he reached the third heaven and asked for the gate to be opened. It was said, “Who is this?” He replied, “Gabriel.” They said, “And who is with you?” He answered, “Muhammad.” They asked, “Has he been sent for?” He said, “Yes.” They said, “Welcome to him; how excellent is this arrival!” The gate was opened, and when I entered there was Joseph. Gabriel said, “This is Joseph; greet him.” I greeted him, and he returned the greeting, then said, “Welcome, righteous brother and righteous prophet.”

After that we ascended until we came to the fourth heaven, and he asked for it to be opened. Someone said, “Who is this?” He replied, “Gabriel.” They asked, “And who is with you?” He answered, “Muhammad.” They said, “Has he been sent for?” He said, “Yes.” They said, “Welcome to him; how excellent is this arrival!” The gate was opened, and when I entered I found Idris. Gabriel said, “This is Idris; greet him.” I greeted him, and he returned the greeting, then said, “Welcome, righteous brother and righteous prophet.”

Gabriel then ascended until he reached the fifth heaven and sought entry. Someone asked, “Who is this?” He replied