are you?’ They replied, ‘We are good and beautiful women, the wives of a righteous people—purified so that they will never be soiled, made to stay so that they will never depart, and granted everlasting life so that they will never die.’

I then turned away, and not much time had passed before a large crowd assembled. A caller announced the adhān and the prayer was established.

We stood in rows waiting for someone to lead us; Gabriel took me by the hand, brought me forward, and I led them in prayer.

When I had finished, Gabriel said, ‘O Muhammad, do you know who prayed behind you?’ I answered, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Every prophet that Allah has ever sent prayed behind you.’

Gabriel then took me by the hand and ascended with me to the heavens. (The narrator adds: He related his ascent through the heavens and his encounters with the prophets there in a manner similar to what has been mentioned earlier.) He continued: Then he carried me on above the seventh heaven until we came to a river over which stood pavilions of pearl, ruby, and emerald. Upon it were green birds—the finest I had ever seen. I said, ‘O Gabriel, how splendid these birds are!’ He replied, ‘O Muhammad, do you know what river this is?’ I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘This is al-Kawthar which Allah has granted you.’ On it were vessels of gold and silver, its water flowing over