Miraaj - The Ascension To Heaven

Download as doc, pdf, or txt
Download as doc, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 20

MIRAAJ

THE NIGHT JOURNEY OF MUHAMMAD (Peace Be Upon Him)


TO HEAVEN
MUHAMMAD RASOOL ALLAH'S JOURNEY

17:1: "Praise be to Allah Who has taken His servant by night from the Sacred
Mosque (Mecca) to the Farthest Mosque (Jerusalem)."

33:56: "Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Nabee (Prophet). You who
believe; send blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation."

53: 1-18: "By the star when it sets, Your companion does not err, nor is he
deceived:Nor does he speak of his own desire. It is nothing except an inspiration
that is inspired, which one of mighty powers has taught him, one vigorous; and he
grew clear to view when he was on the uppermost horizon. Then he drew near and
came down till he was at a distance of two bow lengths or even nearer, And He
revealed to His slave that which He revealed. The heart did not lie in seeing what it
saw. Will you then dispute with him concerning what he sees? And truely he saw him
yet another time by the furthest-tree of the furthest boundary, near which is the
Garden of Abode. When that which shrouds did enshroud the furthest-tree, The eye
did not turn aside nor yet was it overbold. Truely he saw one of the greater
revelations of his Rabb (Lord).

Allah ordered Jibraeel to go down with seventy thousand angels to Muhammad


(pbuh), and stand by his door. "Accompany him to My presence. And you, Mikaeel,
take the hidden knowledge and go down with seventy thousand angels and stand by
the door of his bedroom. You, Israfeel, and you Azraeel, do as Jibraeel and Mikaeel
have been ordered." Then He said to Jibraeel: "Increase the light of the moon with
the light of the sun, and increase the light of the stars with the light of the moon."
Jibraeel asked: "Allah, has the Day of resurrection dawned?" Allah said: "No, but
tonight We are calling to Our presence Muhammad (pbuh), the last Messenger who
came after Isa (Jesus) to reveal to him a secret that pertains to Us." Jibraeel said:
"Allah, what is that secret?" Allah said: "Jibraeel! The secret of kings cannot be given
to the servants. Go with My order and don't ask."

And Jibraeel began his descent carrying with him the heavenly message. All the
angels accompanied him as Allah had ordered, until they reached the door of
Muhammad (pbuh). When they arrived, they said: "Qum ya sayyidi: Arise, my
Master, and prepare yourself! Ride on the back of the buraq, the heavenly creature
that will carry you on your journey to the Rabb (Lord) of power through the land of
the angels!"

THE BURAQ (HEAVENLY BEAST)

When Allah ordered Jibraeel to carry with him the buraq for Muhammad (pbuh) to
ride, he went to the paradise of buraqs and there he found forty million buraqs. Every
buraq had a crown on its forehead inscribed with the words: "There is no god only
Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." Under it was written: "Believe in Me, in
My angels, in My books, and in My Rasools (prophets)." Jibraeel saw among them a
buraq who secluded himself and who sat alone crying. Jibraeel came to him and
asked him why he was in such a state. The buraq answered: "I heard the name of
Muhammad (pbuh) forty thousand years ago, and my yearning for him has
prevented me from eating and drinking." Jibraeel chose that buraq and he took him.

The buraq had the body of a horse but the face of a human being, with big black
eyes and soft ears. His colour was that of a peacock whose plumage was set with
red rubies and corals, on which sat a white head of musk on a neck of amber. His
ears and shoulders were of pure white pearls attached with golden chains, each
chain decorated with glittering jewels. His saddle was made of silk lined with silver
and gold threads. His back was covered with green emerald and his halter was pure
peridot.

The speed of the buraq is according to his sight. His legs reach wherever his eyes
can see. Jibraeel said: "Rasool Allah, this night is your night, and your turn has come
to shine in the sky of creation. You are the sun of ancient and recent knowledge, you
are the moonlight of the beauties of the worlds, the happiness of creation and the
adornment of the lands of human beings and angels. You are the cup of love from
the river of milk and honey. The river of Kawser in paradise overflows in anticipation
of seeing you. You, the joy of all creation, the pride of paradise, the tables are ready
and the palaces of heaven are waiting for your coming!"

"Jibraeel," said Muhammad (pbuh), "did you come with a message of mercy or
wrath?"
"I came with a message from your Rabb (Lord) to give you a secret."
"What does the Rabb (Lord) of Generosity want to do with me?"
"He wants to shower you with His mercy and all human beings that accept you."
"Give me a moment to prepare myself."
"I brought you water of paradise and a turban with a message inscribed: 'Muhammad
the servant of Allah; Muhammad the prophet of Allah; Muhammad the beloved of
Allah; Muhammad the friend of Allah.'"
"Jibraeel, tell me more about that turban."
"Allah created a turban from his light and he entrusted it to Ridhwan, the angel-
custodian of paradise, and the praising of Ridhwan's host of angels belonged to the
owner of that turban before heaven and earth were created. Tonight, when the order
came for your visit, Ridhwan took the turban from paradise, and all forty thousand
angels said with him: 'Our Rabb (Lord), you have ordered us from time immemorial
to praise the owner of that turban. Honour us tonight with his sight and permit us to
walk before him.' And Allah granted them what they asked. Then Allah ordered me,
Jibraeel, to hand Mikaeel the precious jar of the pure water of Salsabil, and Mikaeel
to give to Azraeel, and Azraeel to give it to Israfeel, then Israfeel to Ridhwan, then
Ridhwan sent that water another time to the highest paradise: Jannat al-Firdaws,
where all the beautiful maiden-angels washed their faces with that water and shone
even more brightly. Then they sent back that water to me, and I am giving it to you."

And Muhammad (pbuh) showered with the water from paradise. As soon as it
touched his noble body he became covered with a garment of subtle angelic light,
and Jibraeel gave him the buraq to ride. But the buraq stopped and asked Jibraeel:
"Is that Muhammad (pbuh) who is invited to our Rabb (Lord)?" Jibraeel said: "Yes."
The buraq asked: "Is he the owner of the blessed pond in paradise?" Jibraeel said:
"Yes." The buraq said: "Is he the leader of the people of paradise?" Jibraeel said:
"Yes." The buraq said: "Is he the intercessor on Judgment-Day?" Jibraeel said:
"Yes." At that time the buraq began to melt like ice and snow melt in the light of the
sun. He knelt down and said to Muhammad (pbuh): "Pride of creation, ride on me;
but I have one request to ask of you: Do not forget me on the day of intercession."

THE JOURNEY TO THE FAR-DISTANT MOSQUE

When Muhammad (pbuh) began to ride he was crying. Jibraeel asked him: "Rasool
Allah, why are you crying? " He said: "I remembered human beings. Are they going
to ride on Judgement Day as I am riding now on the buraq, and go to their heavenly
palaces in paradise?" Jibraeel said: "Yes, truely, we are going to resurrect the pious
ones in delegations of riders: On the Day when We shall gather the righteous unto
the Beneficent, a goodly company (19:85)."

At that Muhammad (pbuh) felt happy, and he rode forward on the buraq. Jibraeel
took hold of the reins while Mikaeel held the saddle, and Israfeel the saddle-cloth.
The buraq moved in space until in the blink of an eye they reached the place
appointed for their first stop in the middle of the desert. Jibraeel said: "Muhammad,
go down and pray to Allah in this place." Muhammad (pbuh) said: "What is this
place?" Jibraeel said: "This is the place where you are going to emigrate, and it is
going to be your second city." That was the town of Yathrib not far from Mecca, and
its name was going to be Madina.

In the blink of an eye they again passed through space until they stopped a second
time, and Jibraeel told Muhammad (pbuh) to come down and pray.
"Which place is this, Jibraeel?" asked Muhammad (pbuh).
"This is Sinai, where Musa (Moses) used to speak with Allah."
Then the buraq moved in space another time until he reached a third place where
Jibraeel ordered him to pray.
"And now, where are we, Jibraeel?"
"You are in Bethlehem, where Isa (Jesus) was born and from where he spread the
message of the King of heavens and of the earth."

As Muhammad (pbuh) walked with delight on the soil where Isa (Jesus) was born, he
felt someone moving near his right shoulder who said: "Muhammad! Wait, I want to
ask you a question." But Muhammad (pbuh) did not respond. Then another call
came from behind his left shoulder, but again he did not answer it. Finally, an
unimaginably beautiful mountain covered with the wealth and beauty of this world
appeared in front of him and spoke to him with a human voice, but for the third time
Muhammad (pbuh) did not respond. Then he asked Jibraeel about the three voices.
Jibraeel said: "If you had listened to the first voice all your nation would have been
corrupted because it is the voice of evil; and had you listened to the second one, all
your nation would have been tyrants because it is the voice of Satan. And if you had
stopped to hear the decorated mountain all your nation would have preferred this
world to the eternal world."
Muhammad (pbuh) continued on his way and saw two beautiful angelic beings, one
masculine and one feminine. They wore a beautiful dress and the fragrance of
heaven. They kissed him between his eyes and left. He asked Jibraeel who were
these two. He said: "These are the believers of your nation. They are going to live in
happiness and die in happiness and they are going to enter paradise."

Then another angel appeared to him and offered him three cups to drink: one of
water, one of milk, and one of wine. He took the cup of milk and drank, and Jibraeel
said: "You have chosen the cup of fitra: innocence." Then a maiden-angel appeared
and offered Muhammad (pbuh) three suits of cloth, one green, one white, and one
black. He took the first two. Jibraeel said: "White is the colour of believers and green
is the colour of paradise. All of your followers are going to be believers in this world
and all are going to enter paradise in the next."

Then, as Muhammad (pbuh) was walking on the place where Isa (Jesus) taught, he
entered the Temple of Sulaiman (Solomon) in Jerusalem. He found the temple full of
angels waiting for him. Every angel in the temple represented a group of angels in
paradise. Then he saw all the Prophets (alaihi salaam) standing in rows. He asked
Jibraeel who all these were. Jibraeel said: "These are your brothers from among the
prophets, and these angels are the leaders of all the angels of paradise." Then
Jibraeel made the call to prayer, after which he said: "Muhammad, most honorable of
beings in the sight of Allah, proceed to prayer." And Muhammad (pbuh) came
forward and led the prescribed prayer, and all the prophets (alaihi salaam) and the
angels followed him.

Adam spoke saying: - "Praise be to Allah who created me with His hands and
ordered the angels to prostrate for me and brought out all the prophets from among
my descendants!"

Then Nuh (Noah) said: - "Praise be to Allah who accepted my prayer and saved me
and my people from drowning with my ship with the help of the angels, and honoured
me!"

Then Ibraheem (Abraham) said: - "Praise be to Allah who took me as His friend and
gave me a huge kingdom, and gave me prophets for descendants, and saved me
from the fire of Namrood, and made it cool and safe for me!"

And Musa (Moses) said: - "Praise be to Allah who spoke to me without an


intermediary and chose me for His message, and made me victorious over Pharaoh
with the help of his angels, and gave me the Torah which Jibraeel taught me how to
write, and adorned me with His love."

And Dawood (David) said:- "Praise be to Allah who revealed the Psalms to me, and
softened the iron between my hands and all other elements, and chose me for His
Message!"

And Sulaiman (Solomon) said:- "Praise be to Allah who has made subject to me the
winds, the jinn, and human beings; who taught me the language of birds; who gave
me a kingdom which he never gave to anyone after me, and supported me with all
his angels."
And Isa (Jesus) said:- "Praise be to Allah who sent me as a Word from Him to the
world, taught me the Torah and the Gospel, made me cure the deaf, the dumb, and
the leper, made me bring back to life the dead by His permission, and supported me
with Jibraeel and all His angels."

And Muhammad (pbuh) said:- "All of you praised your Rabb (Lord) and I praise Him
also, Who sent me as a M0ercy for human beings and revealed the Quran to me,
expanded my breast, took out my sins, raised me up, made my Nation and all human
beings the best that could be, and called me 'Kind and Merciful'"!

And Jibraeel said:- "That is why, Muhammad you are the last of Prophets and a
Mercy for human beings. Prophets and angels, creations large and small, Allah and
His angels send blessings and salutations on His Prophet! You also send much
blessings upon him and utmost greetings! Increase your praise. Praise is an angel
with two eyes and two wings that flies to Allah directly to ask forgiveness for its
reciter until Judgment Day."

Then Muhammad (pbuh) continued on his way, riding on the buraq together with all
the angels that came to greet and accompany him. Whenever he passed through a
different universe he found the angels of that universe gathered to greet and dress
him with all kinds of gifts and adornments. They dressed him with the cloaks of
perfection and made him the possessor of every beauty.

Then Muhammad (pbuh) heard a very powerful voice coming from Israfeel from
behind the veils of Lordly Power and Angelic Perfection: - "Paradises and heavens!
Angels! Mountains and trees and oceans and rivers! Moons and suns and stars and
planets and constellations! Plunge in to the beauty and perfection of Muhammad
(pbuh). Angels and houris of paradise, walk with pride! Creation, be happy tonight,
for we are receiving in our presence the Master of human beings and the Seal of
Prophets."

THE ASCENT - AL MIRAAJ

Another voice came from an angel called Ismaeel, saying: "Heavenly stairs, show
yourselves and descend!" upon which the ladder of heaven descended all the way
from Firdaws, the loftiest paradise, until it reached the Temple of Sulaiman
(Solomon). The arms of the ladder shone with two heavenly lights, red amethyst and
green jasper of the greatest perfection. Every believer is going to see that ladder and
climb on it. It has one hundred steps and it goes from the temple to the first heaven.

Jibraeel called Muhammad (pbuh) and the buraq climbed the first step. There
Muhammad (pbuh) saw all kinds of angels red in colour. On the second step,
Muhammad (pbuh) saw angels in yellow cloth, on the third step the angels were
green and all of them were greeting him and giving him heavenly gifts which he took
and gave to Jibraeel to keep as a trust for the believers on earth. On the fourth step
messenger-angels came and said: "Jibraeel, keep rising for the Rabb (Lord) is
waiting!" And Muhammad (pbuh) saw their subtle bodies shining and their faces
glittering like mirrors in the sun.
Then he climbed the fifth step of the ladder and saw a huge world of angels that had
no beginning and no end. All of them were praising Allah and their only words were:
"There is no god only Allah." He asked Jibraeel: "How many are these angels?" for
he was awed by their numbers. Jibraeel said: "If the skies and the earth and the
moon and the sun and the stars and galaxies were crushed into dust and were all
piled up, their dust particles would not be one tenth of the angels of this step of the
ladder of paradise." Then the buraq climbed up to the sixth step and there a great
surprise awaited Muhammad (pbuh), and a great event took place which passed all
description. An immense, white-upon-white angel sat on a chair of burnished white
gold, accompanied by a great host of angels with wide, awe-struck gazes looking at
the divine majesty. The white angel stood up and said: "Muhammad, welcome! I beg
you to bless my seat by sitting on it." When Muhammad (pbuh) sat on the chair, it
melted with love for him and became a cloud of multicolored light chanting the praise
of Allah. Out of every drop of that cloud Allah created another throne and another
great angel sitting upon that throne.

Then the buraq climbed to the seventh heaven and Muhammad (pbuh) saw angels
whose light replaced the light of his vision, as in the case when someone looks at the
sun and his sight is stolen away. At that time, he became able to see whatever these
angels were seeing. Then he climbed the eighth step of the ladder and saw nothing
but angels in prostration. He quickly climbed to the ninth so as not to disturb them.
On the ninth step of the ladder he saw angels which passed description and he
stood in awe, unable to comprehend their creation. At that time their leader appeared
and said: "Rasool Allah! we are dressing you with the secret of our creation and
enabling you to understand all things by Allah's permission."

Then Muhammad (pbuh) went up to the tenth step of the ladder and saw the angels
that praised Allah in all the languages that had been created since the beginning of
creation. Muhammad (pbuh) wondered at the limitless creations of Allah. At the
eleventh step, the angels numbered even more than the angels of the fifth step, and
out of them an infinite number of colours glowed, different for each single one of
them. At the twelfth step, Muhammad (pbuh) found angels with faces like moons and
eyes like stars. The light of their faces were covering their words. On the thirteenth
step, the most beautiful angels appeared and these were the angels of Allah,
praising Allah with soft voices and revelling in other-worldly beauty. Their music did
not resemble any other kind of music and if one tone of that music were heard on the
earth everyone on it would faint.

On the fourteenth step Muhammad (pbuh) saw the angel Ismaeel with seventy
thousand angels riding on horses. Behind everyone of them was a battalion of one
hundred thousand angels created from the attribute of Beauty. It is the duty of each
and everyone of these angels to appear on earth at least one time to bring it the
touch of his beauty. The fifteenth to the twenty-fourth steps were under the command
of the angel Ruqyaeel, great and small, thin and wide. The twenty-fifth step to the
ninety-ninth were presided by the angel Qalaeel. His right hand was under the first
heaven. Between each two of his fingers there are seven hundred thousand angels
continuously praising Allah. For each of the praises that they utter strings of pearls
come out of their mouth. The diameter of every pearl is eighty-one miles. For each
pearl Allah creates an angel that guards it and keeps it as a trust for human beings
until they enter paradise.
Then Muhammad (pbuh) saw a huge throne from a precious element other than gold
standing on five posts. Each post has two wings and each wing encompasses the
constellation of our world five times. On each wing rest fifty thousand angels, each of
whom ask forgiveness for human beings in a different dialect and yet in complete
harmony and with an angelic sound that melts the rocks of the seven earths. Out of
each one of their tears Allah creates fifty thousand angels more whose task is to ask
forgiveness in the same way as these angels do and in many times more dialects
than they. Then the throne spoke to Muhammad (pbuh) and said: "I and the angels
who guard me were created to carry human beings to their stations in paradise."
Then, the throne invited Muhammad (pbuh) to sit on it, and when he sat he felt a
pleasure he had never experienced before.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings and Peace on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FIRST PARADISE: THE ABODE OF PEACE

Muhammad (pbuh) arrived at the hundredth step where he heard the angels praising
and glorifying their Rabb (Lord) in the first heaven. It is called Dar as Salaam, the
Abode of Peace, and has one hundred and twenty-four thousand doors. Each door
represents a prophet. Jibraeel knocked at the door reserved for Muhammad (pbuh).
A voice said from inside: "Who is it?" Jibraeel replied: "It is Jibraeel and Muhammad
(pbuh)." The voice said: "Has he been sent for?" Jibraeel said: "Yes, he has been
called to the Divine Presence." The door was opened. The angel Ismaeel came on a
horse of light, covered in a cloth of light, holding a staff of light. In his right hand,
Ismaeel carried all the deeds of human beings performed during the day, and in the
other, all that they had done during the night. One thousand processions of angels
accompanied him.

Ismaeel said: "Jibraeel, who is with you?" He replied: "The Prophet


Muhammad (pbuh)." Ismaeel said: "Has he been sent for?" Jibraeel replied yes.
Then the buraq was invited to land on the first paradise, the nearest paradise to the
world. It is also called As Samaa ad-Dunya: the nearest heaven. This paradise can
be compared to a rolling wave held in mid-air; Allah spoke to it and said: "Be a red
emerald," and it was. The praising of its inhabitants is: Subhana zil Mulki wal
Malakut: "Praise be to the Possessor of the earthly and the heavenly dominions."

Then Muhammad (pbuh) looked at the first heaven and found an angel formed like a
man. All the actions that belong to human beings are displayed to him. If the spirit of
a believer comes to him he sends it to paradise; if the spirit of an unbeliever comes
to him he asks forgiveness for it. When forgiveness is granted he sends it to
paradise. He has a tablet made of light which hangs from the throne to the first
heaven. He writes on it the names of those who are sent to paradise. Then
Muhammad (pbuh) saw a man with an angelic power towards whom he felt a great
attraction. When he asked who that man was, Jibraeel said: "This is your father,
Adam." Adam greeted him and said to Muhammad (pbuh): "Welcome to the good
son and the righteous Prophet."

There are two doors to the right and the left of Adam. When he looks at the right side
he is happy and when he looks at the left he weeps. Muhammad (pbuh) asked what
these two doors were. Jibraeel said: "The door to the right is the door to paradise
and rewards. When Adam sees his children entering it he smiles and is happy. The
door to the left leads to punishment and the fire. When Adam sees his children
entering it he weeps and is sad for them. Out of each of his tears Allah creates an
angel who asks forgiveness until the day when forgiveness is granted and they are
allowed to enter into paradise."

Then the angels began to recite:


"I yearn to see the one whom Allah created
To be unique in creation!
No beloved one is purer nor more elevated than that one,
Allah's beloved is His servant, the Praised One (Ahmad)
Whose name was cut out from the name
Of the Most Glorious One.
His are the attributes that no eloquence can express.
It is enough honour that for him the moon split in two.
What more do you ask than Allah's perfecting of his beauty?
And truely Allah endowed him with the best character.
And truely Allah created his light to be the greatest blessing,
And He called him "Beloved" before He created creation.
And because of his light the sun was clouded over,
Because of his overwhelming light filling the firmament.
The clouds showed a great miracle and moved
Like a wild herd,
And thunder clapped and rain poured
Upon his mere request.
What more do you want than the softening of the rock
When he walked upon it with his sandalled feet,
Although you did not see its marks
When he tread on the sand?
Allah has elevated him to His presence
And the angelic world.
Were it not for him, there would never be paradise,
Nor heavens, and no earth.
What an honour Allah bestowed upon him when He gave
Ten salutations to those who would
Send to him only one!"

They moved for five hundred thousand light-years within the radius of the first
paradise. The buraq moved faster than the speed of light, for each of its steps could
reach wherever his sight did. The entire distances they travelled were filled with
angels whose number is known only to the Creator, praising Him and glorifying Him
with all kinds of praises. There was not one handful of space but it was occupied by
an angel in prostration. They were all sizes, big and small. A voice came saying: "My
beloved Muhammad! all these angels are glorifying Me, and I am sending all this
praise as waves upon waves of angelic blessings to support human beings through
their daily life. These blessings will guide them towards everything that concerns
them, and open for them all kinds of physical and spiritual knowledge that will help
them progress in their ways of life, materially and spiritually. I will raise them through
this angelic power and enable them to enter My paradise when they come to My
Divine Presence."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings and Peace on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SECOND PARADISE: THE ABODE OF CONSTANCY

Then Jibraeel ordered the buraq to take Muhammad (pbuh) to the second paradise,
whose name is Dar al Qarar, the Abode of Constancy. He then knocked at one of the
doors of the second paradise. It was made of a heavenly element that has no name
in our language. The angel Jarjaeel came with one thousand processions of angels
who made an even greater and happier music than the angels of the first paradise. A
voice said: "Who is it?"
"Jibraeel."
"Who is accompanying you?"
"Muhammad, the Prophet of Mercy."
Then the door was opened. Muhammad (pbuh) saw angels whose faces were like
the disk of the sun, riding horses and girded with spiritual swords and lances.
Muhammad (pbuh) asked: "Jibraeel! who are these?" Jibraeel answered: "These are
angels whom Allah created to support humans against devils. Their praising is:
Subhana zil `Izzati wal Jabarut: 'Glory to the Rabb (Lord) of Force and Might,' and
they are wearing yellow turbans on their heads. When they praise Allah their turbans
move and radiate a yellow light that supports the light of the sun. They radiate
another light also, which makes the devils run away and chases out gossip from the
heart of believers." Then Muhammad (pbuh) saw two very handsome men sitting on
a throne made of red rubies. He asked: "Who are these?" Jibraeel said: "They are
your relatives, Yahya (John) and Isa (Jesus)." Isa (Jesus) was of a reddish
complexion as if he came out of the bath. Then angels came to Muhammad
(pbuh) in battalions, greeting him one by one. Allah extended time in such a way that
one second was enough to greet all of the angels and pray with them, for the time of
prayer had come. Isa (Jesus) and Yahya (John) greeted Muhammad (pbuh) farewell,
and Jibraeel ordered the buraq to go to the third paradise.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings and Peace on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE THIRD PARADISE: THE ABODE OF ETERNITY

Muhammad (pbuh) moved in space for another five hundred thousand light-years
until they reached the third paradise. It is called Dar ul Khuld: the Abode of Eternity.
As they approached their destination they heard great voices that thundered all
around them. "That is the sound of angels praising their Rabb (Lord)," said Jibraeel.
As they approached they heard the music of the angels by which everything moves
in the orbits of the heavenly worlds. Jibraeel stopped at a door made of a pure,
burnished heavenly copper, and he knocked. "Who is there?" said a voice behind the
door. "Jibraeel, bringing Muhammad." "Has he been sent for?" "Yes." And the door
was opened.
Muhammad (pbuh) entered and he saw an angel who changed from one shape to
another in every moment. As he changed, his colour changed also. He seemed as
one moving in a flash and yet immobile like a moving series of pictures and yet each
picture is fixed in its place. Behind the angel Muhammad (pbuh) saw seven hundred
thousand angels, all of them moving like the first angel, from one colourful image into
another, like countless kaleidoscopes. Their feet reached the seven earths. Their
musical praise was: Subhan al Hayy ul Qayyum al lazi la yamut: "Glory to the Living
One, the Self-Subsistent who never dies!" The melody of their praise moved the
entire heavens to unutterable joy which showered mercy on the earth and its
inhabitants. Muhammad (pbuh) asked Jibraeel to ask the angel whether human
beings could hear that music and if it were possible for them. The angel said:
"Anyone who opens his angelic power and connects himself to us will hear that
melody and he will receive the reward that we receive for uttering this praise." Then
the angel recited:

Secret Reality! Angelic heart of light,


Kingdom of power, shining in steadfast light,
Firm in foundation, in beauty all complete,
Its essence descended from Adam's heart enthroned,
Just as the All Merciful descended on His Throne.
Essence of angels' light in Adam manifest,
And yoked with it Allahs' trust fulfilled,
The grant He made to all mankind.
Here appeared knowledge of Allah's light
Known only to chosen saints who alone can see.
Where His knowledge glows imperfection flees
And all worldly cares dim and disappear.
Here ends and begins the place of drawing near
Where the pure ones settled, similar to light upon light.

As they moved forward they saw a handsome man before whose beauty everything
paled. "This is Yusuf (Joseph), the Prophet," said Jibraeel. Muhammad (pbuh)
approached him and greeted him, and Yusuf (Joseph) greeted him back with the
best greeting of heaven. Jibraeel said: "Out of the beauty of Yusuf (Joseph) came
the beauty of all human beings. His is the beauty of the full moon, the sun and the
stars." Yearning for angelic beauty will melt the hearts of the stone hearted. The faint
hearted cannot hope to approach its secret, for they will immediately fall under its
power and extinguish themselves in it. That is the meaning of the sweetness of
painful yearning in love: the approach of beauty in its absence is sweeter still than its
embrace and possession. For possession of the beloved entails the satisfaction of
the lower self, while to remain in pain because of the beloved is better than comfort
and contentment.

Behind Yusuf, Muhammad (pbuh) saw a great human crowd, all of them wearing
radiant angelic dresses. Muhammad (pbuh) asked, "Who are these people,
Jibraeel?" He answered: "Behind Yusuf (Joseph), Allah created seven hundred
thousand posts in paradise; on each post there are seven hundred thousand red
jewels; each jewel contains seven hundred thousand palaces; in every palace there
are seven hundred thousand rooms, and in every room there are seven hundred
thousand windows. These rooms are inhabited by human beings who carry angelic
powers and spend their lives in love of each other and nature. Their hearts are filled
with love of Me and devoid of low desires. They pine for Me and I pine for them.
Every day these human beings appear at their windows and look at the people of
paradise. From their beauty a great light shines forth, in the same way that the sun
appears in the windows of the sky and sheds its light over the people on earth. Then
the people of paradise say: 'Let us run towards the Lovers of Allah.' As soon as they
reach them these Lovers adorn them with all kinds of rainbows and showers of light.
They give them a dress made of green silk which symbolizes the qualities of those
made perfect and agreeable to Allah."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings and Peace on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FOURTH PARADISE: THE SHELTERING GARDEN

Then Jibraeel called for prayer and Muhammad (pbuh) led the prayer among all the
inhabitants of paradise. Then the buraq moved for another five hundred thousand
light-years during which they travelled towards the fourth heaven which is called
Jannat al-Maawa: the Sheltering Garden. There they heard a voice mixing angels
and spirits. The door was made of silver upon a floor of gold. Again, the voice behind
the door asked: "Who is there?" and Jibraeel answered, "Muhammad." "Has he been
sent for?" "Yes." And the door opened.

Muhammad (pbuh) saw angels standing and sitting, lying and bowing, praising and
saying: "Subhan al Malik al Quddus Rabb al Malaaikati war Ruh," : "Glory to the
holiest King, Rabb (Lord) of the angels and the Spirit!" Muhammad (pbuh) asked
Jibraeel, "Jibraeel, is that not the prayer of my grandfather Abraham?" and Jibraeel
said, "Yes, this is how your grandfather Abraham used to pray, and Allah was so
happy with that prayer that he created an entire host of angels and filled the fourth
heaven with them. He ordered them to repeat the same prayer. If anyone recites that
praising among human beings, Allah will give them rewards according to the number
of these angels."

Then Muhammad (pbuh) saw two angels, one of transparent crystal like spring
water, and one denser like salt water. Jibraeel said: "One is the angel of sweet
waters. He carries all the oceans of this universe with his right thumb. The other is
the angel of salty waters. He carries all the oceans of this universe in his left thumb.
These are the angels responsible for supporting every creature in creation through
water, sweet or salty. They meet without mixing, as Allah has said: "He has loosened
the two seas. They meet. There is a barrier between them. They encroach not one
upon the other." (40:19-20)

Behind them Muhammad (pbuh) saw angels shaped like birds, standing on the bank
of a great river of paradise. When a human being on earth says: "There is no god
only Allah," one of these angel-birds opens his wings. If the person says: "Glory to
Allah," the angel-bird enters the river to swim in it. When the person says: "Praise be
to Allah," the angel-bird dives into the water. When the person says: "Allah is
greatest," the angel-bird comes out of the river. When the person says: "There is no
power nor might except in Allah," the angel-bird will shake off the water from him,
and seventy thousand drops of water will come from him, out of each of which Allah
creates an angel that asks forgiveness for that person until Judgment Day. In
addition to this, Allah orders forty thousand rewards written in the book of that one
and keeps them for him until his resurrection.

Then Muhammad (pbuh) saw a man who leaned against the books of human beings,
in which were inscribed all their deeds. Muhammad (pbuh) asked: "Who is this?"
Jibraeel said: "This is the Prophet Idris, peace be upon him." Muhammad (pbuh)
approached Idris and greeted him. Idris greeted him back and said: "Welcome to the
pious brother and perfect prophet." Above him Muhammad (pbuh) saw a dome of
light on which was written: "There is no god only Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger
of Allah." Muhammad (pbuh) looked inside it and saw a venerable old man with a
white beard filled with light and crowned with a white turban. He asked: "Who is that,
Jibraeel?" He answered: "That is an angel representing the Prophet Idris."
Muhammad (pbuh) greeted him and said: "My brother! Allah has elevated you and
honoured you, and you have entered paradise before me and saw its pleasures."
Idris said: "Beloved one! At first I did not enter paradise nor see its pleasure. But
when I left this world I entered a garden with a door on which I saw: 'Beyond this
door none may enter before Muhammad (pbuh) and his nation.' And I asked Allah,
'For the sake of my grandson Muhammad (pbuh), let me in.' Allah let me in, so now
because of you I am in this place."

Then Idris recited:


"This Station sought by all for shelter,
This lofty place where all people bow subdued
And stands the noble Messenger
With wisdom and might endued,
Station of guidance and angelic light
Where gloom of night and orphans' sadness
At once are effaced,
This is the Station of direct communication
And the firm foothold for those determined to reach.
The All-Merciful called him His beloved one
And he is the beloved one of the universe
And from his light came the light of all life."

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings and Peace on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

THE FIFTH PARADISE: THE GARDEN OF BEAUTY AND FELICITY

Muhammad (pbuh) travelled for five hundred thousand light-years, after which he
arrived at the fifth paradise which is called Jannat al Naeem: "the Garden of Beauty
and Felicity." Its door is made of mixed gold and silver from heaven. Jibraeel
knocked at the door and a voice said: "Who is it?" "Jibraeel, bringing Muhammad
(pbuh)." "Has he been sent for?" "Yes." "Welcome, Beloved one, to the fifth
paradise!" The door opened and Muhammad (pbuh) saw five beautiful ladies whose
radiant light among their servants made them appear like diamonds surrounded by
pearls. His heart was moved towards them. He asked Jibraeel: "Who are these
ladies?" He answered: "This is Hawwa (Eve), the mother of human beings, this is the
Virgin Maryam (Mary), the mother of Isa (Jesus), this is Musa's (Moses') mother
Yukabid, and this is Assia, the wife of Pharaoh." The fifth lady looked like a sun
among stars. Her light shone over the rest of the inhabitants of that paradise like a
gentle breeze passing through the tree-leaves. Jibraeel said: "This is an angel
representing your daughter Fatima"

Muhammad (pbuh) asked: "Jibraeel, what is the secret of this paradise?" Jibraeel
said: "Allah created this paradise to reflect the beauty and perfection of women. The
light of this paradise is the source of the angelic lights of all women on earth. Women
have been created to carry the secret of creation in themselves. Allah has honoured
them greatly by making their wombs the repository of His word which represents the
Spirit. He looks at the most sacred place and there descends His mercy and
blessings. He perfected that place and covered it with three protective layers to
shelter it from any damage. The first is a layer of light, the second a layer of love,
and the third a layer of beauty. There he fashions and creates human beings after
His likeness, as Muhammad (pbuh) said: 'Allah created Adam after His likeness.' He
orders the angels of the womb to perfect His creation by giving the baby life, beauty,
health, intelligence, and all kinds of perfect attributes that will make each one
distinguished among human beings."

"Women are not created weaker but more generous than men. They are created
more beautiful and less fierce, as beauty hates to hurt and harm others. That is why
they seem weak to people, but in reality they are not. Angels are the strongest of
created beings, and women are closer to the angelic nature than men, as they are
readier than men to carry angelic light. It is the good manners and ethics of
spirituality which they carry which makes them less forceful than men. Even
physically, however, they are extremely strong. They undergo great upheavals in
their body without flinching for the sake of childbirth, and face the direst physical
conditions more successfully than men because Allah has enabled them to insure
the survival of generations."

"Allah gave women five angelic qualities which men rarely have. They are the source
of peace, as Allah said that He created them "so that you might find rest in them"
(30:21). This is the attribute of the first paradise which is named "the Abode of
Peace." They are oasis of constancy in the midst of chaos and change. That is why
they give birth as the mother nurtures and shelters the baby more reliably than the
father. This is the attribute of the second paradise, which is named 'the Abode of
Constancy.' They perpetuate generations. Through their offspring Allah creates
angelic prophets and saints who establish His perpetual remembrance on earth as
the angels establish it in heaven. This is the attribute of the third paradise which is
named 'the Abode of Eternity.' They are generous and bountiful. They are described
as 'a fertile land' in all Scriptures because they give without counting, including life.
They sacrifice themselves for the sake of another creation, and this is the attribute of
the fourth paradise which is named 'the Sheltering Garden.' Finally, they are the
source of Beauty. Through their softness and subtlety, Allah has crowned the earth
with the diadem of angelic grace. This is the attribute of the fifth paradise which is
named "the Garden of Beauty."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings and Peace on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SIXTH PARADISE: THE GARDEN OF EDEN

Muhammad (pbuh) travelled again on the buraq for five hundred thousand years. On
his way to the sixth paradise which is called Jannat al Aden: "the Garden of Eden,"
he saw nations and nations of saffron-coloured angels standing on pedestals of pink
marble. They had one thousand wings and on each wing there were one thousand
faces. Each face had one thousand mouths saying: "Praise be to the Rabb (Lord) of
Majesty and Splendour!" Jibraeel knocked at the door of the sixth paradise which
was made of aquamarine and gold. As usual, a voice asked from behind the door
who was there and the answer was given: "Jibraeel, bringing Muhammad (pbuh)."
"Has he been sent for?" said the voice. "Yes," replied Jibraeel. The door was
opened. Muhammad (pbuh) entered and what he saw passed all imagination and all
recorded books, all fabled accounts, all legends, all histories.

Silent gold sat on stars of pearl. Under every pearl fifty thousand angels whirled in a
lake of galaxies producing a heavenly sound like a million birds humming on top of
the buzzing of a million bees. Everything is moving at the speed of light but at the
same time everything is silent and still. Each angel spoke words of greetings to
Muhammad (pbuh) at the same time in a different language but distinctly and without
any clash one with the other. Their words were phrased in diadems and garlands of
light which he wore one after the other on his head and around his neck. A huge
angel named Semlaeel appeared at the head of ten thousand processions of similar
angels wearing a crown of multi-coloured garnets and reciting praise of Allah in an
angelic language which made each angel swoon and rise up in turn. These were the
karubiyyun: 'Those brought near.' No one on earth can see them and live because of
the intensity of their light which they borrow from the One they behold.

Muhammad (pbuh) asked: "Jibraeel! What is this untarnished heavenly sound?"


"Rasool Allah!" Jibraeel answered, "This is the music of the angelic souls in the
presence of their Rabb (Lord) trembling like a leaf, not daring to move or speak,
awed and annihilated by perfection, yet vivified and moved by divine Light, rushing to
the divine meeting and announcing your coming."

Muhammad (pbuh) saw a honey-coloured angel of astounding beauty and of yet


even greater majesty so that his majesty overpowered his beauty. He had a long
mane of hair and a long beard out of which light flashed like thunderbolts. He had a
stern face and yet a child's eyes. His enormous chest seemed to heave like a
dormant volcano under his shirt of heavenly brocade. When Muhammad (pbuh)
enquired about him, Jibraeel said: "This is your brother Musa (Moses). He is the one
who prayed six times on the Mount of Sinai in order to be a simple servant in your
Nation. He is the vanquisher of tyrants and the secret of his father Yaqoob (Jacob).
Allah wrote for him the character of a fiery servant. That is why he approached the
burning bush and was not afraid when His Rabb (Lord) wanted to speak to him."

Musa (Moses) was crying and he said to Muhammad (pbuh): "Prophet of the Last
Nation! Intercede for me and my people." Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Why are you
crying, my brother Musa (Moses)?" He replied: "I cry for love of you and for the great
honour where Allah has raised you and made your nation countless people and other
nations very few, even mine. Muhammad! you are the seal of prophets and the light
of creation. Allah is raising you today to His presence, to a station where no-one can
reach. Remember me there as Allah made you the intercessor for all human beings
including prophets, from Adam to Isa (Jesus). Then he recited:

"Prophet sprung from Hashim's line,


Lover of Him Who is lauded above,
Sealer of every book revealed to mankind.
Opener of treasured knowledge sublime
Who mounted the buraq to ascend to his Rabb (Lord),
Allah in Whose presence none before had remained,
Approach that place where only angels draw near
Messenger of Allah before whom winds and clouds move
And lay open clear myriad paths to celestial light.
For your intercession human souls plead and yearn,
Prophet at whose sight angels delight!
It is you for whom paradise was made and adorned,
For you the furthest-tree of farthest limit is made to stand
And bear the fruit of compassion in every land.
Beloved Muhammad, may Allah grant us to be
Always numbered in your noble band."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings and Peace on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SEVENTH PARADISE: JANNAT AL FIRDAWS

Muhammad (pbuh) arrived at the seventh paradise whose roof touches the Heavenly
Throne and whose name is Jannat al Firdaws, after a travel of five hundred thousand
light-years. He knocked at the door which was made of pure emerald, topaz, beryl,
and gold. After he entered he saw another gate of light. From it came the praise of
nations of hidden angels at whose sight one would die of awe because of their
intense beauty. Their laud was simply: "Praise be to the Creator of Light!" Beyond
this it is not permitted to speak about them. Muhammad (pbuh) greeted them with
the greeting of peace and proceeded past the gate of gold to a dome of light which
encompassed all the previous heavens, although the distance he had travelled
between the sixth and the seventh heaven was the same as that between each two
of the other layers of paradise.

Inside the dome Muhammad (pbuh) saw an angelic being which resembled him in
every fashion and who was leaning against a wall of white silk which seemed to
move like a waterfall and yet stand firm. Muhammad (pbuh) asked who that was and
Jibraeel said: "This is your grandfather Ibraheem (Abraham), the leader of the pure
of heart and a great one among prophets." Ibraheem (Abraham) said: "Welcome to
the pious son and the perfected Prophet!" Around Ibraheem (Abraham) stood
crowned angels. Each of their crowns contained four hundred diamonds, each worth
more than what the entire earth contains. At their service stood throngs of angels
crowned with the light of the previous angels and all were reading the Ayat ul Kursi.
Jibraeel said: "This is the verse that keeps the universe firm in the balance. This is
the secret of the order of Creation." And the angels recited:

Allah! There is no god save Him, the Living, the Eternal, Neither slumber nor sleep
overtakes him. Unto him belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in
earth. Who is he that intercedes with him save by His leave? He knows that which is
in front of them and that which is behind them, While they encompass nothing of His
knowledge except what He will. His Kursi includes the heavens and the earth, And
He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Sublime, the Tremendous. (2:255)

Circumambulating the building against which Ibraheem (Abraham) leaned, the entire
universes, the throngs of angels of the seven heavens, the angels of mercy and the
angels of wrath, the angels of beauty, the angels brought near, the great and the
small angels, the visible and the invisible angels, and all the human beings whose
angelic souls had been purified and elevated to the divine presence, the prophets,
the truthful saints, the martyrs, the righteous, all of creation whirled and turned in the
same direction as every heavenly body, counterclockwise, around the Kaaba of the
heavens. Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Jibraeel, How wondrous are the incredible
marvels of my Rabb (Lord)!" And Jibraeel replied: "Muhammad! You have seen only
a glimpse of the wonders of Allah."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings and Peace on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE FURTHEST-TREE OF THE FURTHEST BOUNDARY

Muhammad (pbuh) and Jibraeel travelled once more until they reached the absolute
limit of the created intellect, named Sidrat al Muntaha: "The Furthest-Tree of the
Furthest Boundary." There they saw nothing which the tongue could describe. The
effect of the sight they beheld on Muhammad (pbuh) is a secret which took place in
his heart. A sound came to them from above which dissipated some of Muhammad's
(pbuh) astonishment. At that time he saw a large tree which does not resemble any
of the trees of paradise, a tree without description, covering all the paradises,
heavens, and universes. The trunk of the tree was a huge angel named Samrafeel.
Muhammad (pbuh) could see nothing else besides it. It grew from an infinite,
unimaginable, indescribable ocean of musk. The tree had an infinite number of
branches, created from a heavenly element that has no name in a created language.
The distance between one branch and another was five hundred thousand light-
years. On every branch there was an infinite number of leaves. If all the created
universes were placed on a single one of these leaves they would disappear, like an
atom disappears inside an ocean of water. On every leaf sat a huge angel in a multi-
coloured light. On his head was a crown of light and in his hand a staff of light.
Written on their forehead was the inscription: "We are the inhabitants of the Furthest-
Tree." Their praise was: "Praise be to Allah Who has no end." Their names are the
Sarufiyyun, "The secret ones," because they are created from the absolute secret of
their Rabb (Lord).

From the trunk of the tree four absolute springs issued. The first was a pure,
transparent, crystal water; the second was a river of white milk; the third was a river
of pleasurable, untarnished wine that elevates without abasing; the fourth was a river
of pure honey mixed with gold. Inside the trunk was the prayer-niche of Jibraeel, and
his constant words of praise are: Allahu Akbar: Allah is Great! to which the reply
always comes from above: Ana Akbar: I am Greater! Ana Akbar: I am Greater!

Jibraeel entered his prayer-niche and he called for the prayer. All the Sarufiyyun
stood in rows and Muhammad (pbuh) led them in prayer. The prayer finished and all
the Sarufiyyun were ordered to give their greetings to Muhammad (pbuh) one after
the other. After this, a great angel came out from behind Jibraeel's prayer-niche and
asked Muhammad (pbuh) to approach.

Muhammad (pbuh) and Jibraeel entered the trunk of the tree and reached in a
glance the entire sight of creation. On the top of the tree they saw Adam and Hawwa
and Nuh, Ibraheem, Musa, Isa, and all the other prophets whom they had just
visited. With them they saw all their respective nations, sitting with them in spirit
together with those of Muhammad's nation who had already left this world. All were
sitting there together, happy, basking in the love and beauty of their Rabb's (Lord's)
mercy and praising Him.

That Furthest-Tree carries the knowledge of all of Allah's creation from the beginning
of its sequence in time. Whatever is created is part of it and contained in it. It was
called the tree "of the furthermost boundary" because everything ends in it and after
it begins a new life. Allah decorated it with the light of His own essence. It has three
characteristics: a continuous shade of light extending over every creation, a
continuous pleasure reaching everyone from the fruit of its branches, and a
continuous fragrance from its flowers scenting with beauty the life of creation.

Then Muhammad (pbuh) and Jibraeel moved forward. A stern and severe angel
appeared and covered the horizon before them. Jibraeel said: "Muhammad! This is
the angel of death, Azraeel." The angel of death said: "Welcome, Muhammad! You
who bear goodness, and welcome to all the prophets and their nations. This is the
place from which I gaze at the destinies of every person and seize the spirits of
those whom I am commanded to bring to eternal life."

Muhammad (pbuh) asked: "Tell me how you take the souls of the dying." The angel
of death revealed to Muhammad (pbuh): "When Allah orders me to take the spirit of a
human being at the last hour of his life and the first hour of his afterlife, I send to him
my deputies who carry with them the smell of paradise and a branch from the tree of
paradise which they put between his eyes. When that sweet smell reaches him and
he catches a glimpse of that heavenly branch, his spirit is attracted and his soul
begins to ascend to paradise, until it reaches his throat. At that time, I descend from
my place and I take his spirit with the greatest care, because Allah wants this
moment to be easy on His servant. I then carry his soul to paradise. On the way,
whenever I pass by angels, then angels will greet this soul and salute it until it
reaches the presence of its Rabb (Lord). Allah the Exalted says to that soul at that
time: "Welcome to the good spirit which I created and placed in a good body! My
angels! Write the upper layer of paradise as a reward for that person." Then angels
take him up to paradise, where he will see what Allah has prepared for him and he
will be happy to stay there. However, Allah orders the spirit to go back to his body on
earth, where he can see the
people washing him, crying for him, and all those who love him standing around him
until they take the body to the grave. There the soil says to him: "Welcome, my
beloved one! I was always yearning for you when you were above me. Now you are
in me and I will show you what I am going to give you." Immediately, his grave will be
enlarged beyond sight, until the two angels of the grave come and ask him about his
Rabb (Lord) and about his belief. He will give them the correct answers by Allah's
permission. At that time they will open for him a door leading to paradise and his
spirit will go back upward to the same place where Allah first called him to His
presence."

"I remember when death had separated us.


I consoled myself with the thought of the Beloved Prophet.
I said: All of us go on this way one day.
Who does not die today, he will die tomorrow.
Be happy, my soul, because your Rabb (Lord) is waiting for you
And the beloved one is calling you."

Then Jibraeel moved forward another five hundred thousand light-years, mounted on
the buraq, until they reached a place where Jibraeel began to slow down.
Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Jibraeel! Why are you slowing down? Are you leaving
me?" Jibraeel replied: "I cannot go further." Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Jibraeel, don't
leave me alone." "Muhammad!" Jibraeel said, "You now have to step down from the
buraq and move to a place which no-one has entered before you." At that moment
the buraq stopped and was unable to move further. Muhammad (pbuh) stepped
down and moved hesitantly. Jibraeel said: "Muhammad, move forward without fear. If
I were to continue with you I would be annihilated for the greatness of the Light."

Muhammad (pbuh) moved, and moved, and moved. He saw Mikaeel standing ahead
of him, afraid and trembling. The light of his face was changing quickly from one
colour to another. Muhammad (pbuh) asked: "Mikaeel, is this your station?" "Yes,"
Mikaeel answered, "and if I were to trespass it I would be annihilated. But you go on
and don't stop." Muhammad (pbuh) moved, and moved, and moved. Then he found
Israfeel with his four huge wings, one of which covered his face to veil him from the
light which came from the horizon of everything. Muhammad (pbuh) asked him: "Is
this your station, Israfeel?" Israfeel said, "Yes. If I trespass it, that light would burn
me. But you move on and do not fear." And Muhammad (pbuh) moved, and moved,
and moved. He saw the Spirit to whom Allah gave the power of earth and the
heavens. From the top of his head to the bottom of his feet and from every cell of his
there were faces with traits of subtle light, the number of which no-one knows but
Allah, and from the each of which Allah creates an angel-spirit which looks like the
Spirit, whom He then takes to himself as the spirit-angels of the Divine Presence.

Every day the Spirit looks into hell three times, and because of the cool light of his
angelic gaze the fire of hell melts until it becomes as a rainbow. The Spirit also looks
into paradise three times every day and extends to it the divine light which Allah
gives him. If Allah gathered the tears of the eyes of the Spirit it would flood all the
created universes and make Nuh's (Noah's) flood seem like the drop gathered by a
needle dipped into the ocean. This is the Spirit whom Allah mentioned in the Quran:

"The day when the Spirit and the angels rise, no-one shall speak except with
permission from His Rabb (Lord)."

Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Spirit! Is this your station?" The spirit replied: "Yes, and if I
trespass it I will be annihilated by the light which I am receiving. Muhammad! Move
forward and do not be afraid. You are invited and you have permission." Muhammad
(pbuh) moved forward. Allah inspired his heart with the following discourse: "I the
Rabb (Lord), have veiled myself from the inhabitants of paradise, as I have veiled
myself from the inhabitants of the earth. As I veiled Myself from their minds, I veiled
myself from their vision. I am never in anything, and I am never away from anything."

Muhammad (pbuh) then moved through one veil after another until he passed
through one thousand veils. Finally he opened the Veil of Oneness. He found himself
like a lamp suspended in the middle of a divine air. He saw a magnificent, great and
unutterable matter. He asked his Rabb (Lord) to give him firmness and strength. He
felt that a drop of that presence was put on his tongue and he found it cooler than ice
and sweeter than honey. Nothing on earth and the seven paradises tasted like it.
With this drop, Allah put into Muhammad's heart the knowledge of the First and the
Last, the heavenly and the earthly. All this was revealed to him in one instant shorter
than the fastest second. He was ordered to move forward. As he moved he found
himself elevated on a throne that can never be described, now or later. Three
additional drops were given to him: one on his shoulder consisting in majesty, one in
his heart consisting in mercy, and an additional one on his tongue which consisted in
eloquence. Then a voice came from that presence, which no created being had
heard before: "Muhammad! I have made you the intercessor for everyone." At that
moment Muhammad (pbuh) felt his mind enraptured and taken away to be replaced
with an astonishing secret. He was placed in the fields of Allah's Eternity and
Endlessness. In the first he found no beginning and in the second he found no end.
Then Allah revealed to Him: "My end is in My beginning and My beginning is in My
end." Then Muhammad (pbuh) knew that all doors were absolutely closed except
those that led to Allah, that Allah cannot be described within the confine of a place in
speech, and that Allah encompasses the everywhere of all places. This is a secret
that no tongue can be stirred to express, no door opened to reveal, and no answer
can define. He is the Guide to Himself and the Rabb (Lord) of His own description.
He is the Beauty of all beauty and the speech by which to describe Himself belongs
to Him alone.

Allah my Creator, in Your infinity do I stand amazed.


In Your ocean of unity do I drown submerged.
Allah, at times You are close to me in familiar intimacy.
At times You leave me without, veiled and strange,
Hidden in Your sovereign Majesty.
Give me to drink the wine of Your love,
For only drunk from it am I able to say:
My Rabb (Lord)! Let me see You.
Muhammad (pbuh) then looked on his right and saw nothing except His Rabb (Lord),
then on his left and saw nothing except his Rabb (Lord), then to the front, to the
back, and above him, and he saw nothing except his Rabb (Lord). He hated to leave
that honoured and blessed place. But Allah said: "Muhammad, you are a Messenger
to My servants as all Messengers, if you stay here you would never be able to
communicate My Message. Therefore descend back to earth, and communicate My
message to My servants. Whenever you want to be in the same state as you are
now, make your prayers, and I shall open this state for you." This is why Muhammad
(pbuh) stated: "Prayer is the apple of my eyes," and he called it also: "Our rest."

Then Muhammad (pbuh) was ordered to go back to earth, but he left the self in
heaven and his spirit at the Furthest-tree, and his heart in the unutterable divine
presence while his secret was left suspended without place. His self wondered:
"Where is the heart?" And the Heart wondered: "Where is the spirit?" And the spirit
wondered: "Where is the secret?" And the secret wondered where it was. And Allah
revealed: "Self of Muhammad (pbuh)! I granted you the blessing and the forgiveness,
and spirit! I granted you the mercy and the honour, and heart! I granted you the love
and the beauty, and secret, you have Me." Allah then revealed to Muhammad (pbuh)
the order to recite: "He is the one who sends blessings on you, together with His
angels, in order to bring you out from darkness into light" (33:43). "Muhammad! I
have ordered the angels of all My heavens, those created and those yet uncreated,
to send blessings on you and My creation unceasingly, with My own praise. I am
your Rabb (Lord) Who said: My Mercy has taken over My anger. And all My angels I
have created for you human beings." And Allah ordered Muhammad (pbuh) to
descend with this angelic message back to earth.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessings and Peace on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

You might also like