until he reached Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), where water, milk, and wine were presented to him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ chose the milk. Gabriel said, “You have chosen correctly, O Muhammad—this is the fitra (innate disposition). Had you drunk the water, you and your community would have drowned; and had you drunk the wine, you and your community would have gone astray.”

Then Adam and every prophet after him were brought forth, and that night the Messenger of Allah ﷺ led them all in prayer.

Gabriel then said, “As for the old woman you saw by the roadside, she represents this world; only as much of it remains as the lifespan left to that old woman. The one who tried to make you incline toward him was the enemy of Allah, Iblis, who wished you would turn to him. And those who greeted you were Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.”

This report was recorded by Ibn Jarir 15/6 and by al-Bayhaqi in Dalāʾil, as cited in Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr 3/5, who commented, “Some of its wording is objectionable and strange.”

I say: its weakness lies in ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Hāshim—for I have found no biographical notice for him. Through his chain it was also cited by al-Suyūṭī in al-Khaṣāʾiṣ 1/387, and by Ibn Mardawayh in his Tafsīr, as well as by al-Bayhaqī.