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Surah Al-Isra

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 The Virtues of Surah Al-Isra'

Imam Al-Hafiz Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Ismail Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn Mas`ud said concerning Surah Al-Isra' (i.e., Surah Bani Isra`il), Al-Kahf and Maryam:

"They are among the earliest and most beautiful Surahs and they are my treasure.''

Imam Ahmad recorded that A'ishah said:

"The Messenger of Allah used to fast until we would say, he does not want to break his fast, then he would not fast until we would say, he does not want to fast, and he used to recite Bani Isra'il and Az-Zumar every night.''

 The Isra' (Night Journey)

Allah glorifies Himself,

سُبْحَانَ ... 

Glorified be He,

Allah glorifies Himself, for His ability to do that which none but He can do, for there is no God but He and no Lord besides Him.

... الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ ...

Who took His servant for a Journey,

refers to Muhammad.

... لَيْلاً ...

by Night,

means, in the depths of the night.

... مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ...

from Al-Masjid Al-Haram,

means the Masjid in Makkah.

... إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى ...

to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa,

means the Sacred House which is in Jerusalem, the origin of the Prophets from the time of Ibrahim Al-Khalil.

The Prophets all gathered there, and he (Muhammad) led them in prayer in their own homeland. This indicates that he is the greatest leader of all, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and upon them.

... الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ ...

the neighborhood whereof We have blessed,

means, its agricultural produce and fruits are blessed

... لِنُرِيَهُ ...

in order that We might show him, (i.e., Muhammad),

... مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ...

of Our Ayat.

i.e., great signs.

As Allah says:

لَقَدْ رَأَى مِنْ ءَايَـتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَى

Indeed he did see of the greatest signs, of his Lord (Allah). (53:18)

We will mention below what was narrated in the Sunnah concerning this.

... إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ ﴿١﴾

Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.

means, He hears all the words of His servants, believers and disbelievers, faithful and infidel, and He sees them and gives each of them what he deserves in this world and the Hereafter.

 Hadiths about Al-Isra'

 The Report of Anas bin Malik

Imam Ahmad reported from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah said:

أُتِيتُ بالْبُرَاقِ وَهُوَ دَابَّةٌ أَبْيَضُ فَوْقَ الْحِمَارِ وَدُونَ الْبَغْلِ، يَضَعُ حَافِرَهُ عِنْدَ مُنْتَهَى طَرَفِهِ،

فَرَكِبْتُهُ فَسَارَ بِي حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ بَيْتَ الْمَقْدِسِ، فَرَبَطْتُ الدَّابَّةَ بِالْحَلَقَةِ الَّتِي يَرْبِطُ فِيهَا الْأَنْبِيَاءُ، ثُمَّ دَخَلْتُ فَصَلَّيْتُ فِيهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ

ثُمَّ خَرَجْتُ فَأَتَانِي جِبْرِيلُ بِإِنَاءٍ مِنْ خَمْرٍ وَإِنَاءٍ مِنْ لَبَنٍ، فَاخْتَرْتُ اللَّبَنَ

فَقَالَ جِبْرِيلُ: أَصَبْتَ الْفِطْرَةَ.

Al-Buraq was brought to me, and it was a white animal bigger than a donkey and smaller than a mule. One stride of this creature covered a distance as far as it could see.

I rode on it and it took me to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), where I tethered it at the hitching post of the Prophets. Then I entered and prayed two Rak`ahs there, and came out.

Jibril brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk, and I chose the milk.

Jibril said: `You have chosen the Fitrah (natural instinct).'

قَالَ: ثُمَّ عُرِجَ بِي إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَاسْتَفْتَحَ جِبْرِيلُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ:

مَنْ أَنْتَ؟

قَالَ: جِبْرِيلُ.

قِيلَ: وَمَنْ مَعَكَ؟

قَالَ: مُحَمَّدٌ

قِيلَ: وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟

قَالَ: قَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ

فَفُتِحَ لَنَا فَإِذَا أَنَا بِآدَمَ فَرَحَّبَ بِي وَدَعَا لِي بِخَيْرٍ،

Then I was taken up to the first heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened.

It was said, `Who are you?' He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was asked, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `His Mission has started.'

So it was opened for us, and there I saw Adam, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me.

ثُمَّ عُرِجَ بِنَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الثَّانِيَةِ ......يَحْيَى وَعِيسَى فَرَحَّبَا بِي وَدَعَوَا لِي بِخَيْرٍ

Then I was taken up to the second heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you?'

He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was asked, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `His Mission has started.'

So it was opened for us, and there I saw the two maternal cousins, Yahya and `Isa, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me.

ثُمَّ عُرِجَ بِنَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الثَّالِثَةِ ...... أَنَا بِيُوسُفَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ، وَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ أُعْطِيَ شَطْرَ الْحُسْنِ فَرَحَّبَ بِي وَدَعَا لِي بِخَيْرٍ

Then I was taken up to the third heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you?'

He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was asked, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `His Mission has started.'

So it was opened for us, and there I saw Yusuf, who had been given the beautiful half. He welcomed me and prayed for good for me.

ثُمَّ عُرِجَ بِنَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الرَّابِعَةِ ...... أَنَا بِإِدْرِيسَ فَرَحَّبَ بِي وَدَعَا لِي بِخَيْرٍ،

Then I was taken up to the fourth heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you?'

He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was asked, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `His Mission has started.'

So it was opened for us, and there I saw Idris, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me.

ثُمَّ قَالَ: يَقُولُ اللهُ تَعَالَى:

- then (the Prophet) said: Allah says:

وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَاناً عَلِيّاً

And We raised him to a high station. (19:57)

Then he resumed his narrative:

ثُمَّ عُرِجَ بِنَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الخَامِسَةِ ......أَنَا بِهَارُونَ فَرَحَّبَ بِي وَدَعَا لِي بِخَيْرٍ،  

Then I was taken up to the fifth heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you?'

He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was asked, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `His Mission has started.'

So it was opened for us, and there I saw Harun, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me.

ثُمَّ عُرِجَ بِنَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ السَّادِسَةِ ......أَنَا بِمُوسَي عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ فَرَحَّبَ بِي وَدَعَا لِي بِخَيْرٍ،

Then I was taken up to the sixth heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you?'

He said, `Jibril.

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was asked, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `His Mission has started.'

So it was opened for us, and there I saw Musa, who welcomed me and prayed for good for me.

ثُمَّ عُرِجَ بِنَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ السَّادِسَةِ ......أَنَا بِاِبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ وَإِذَا هُوَ مُسْنتِدٌ  إِلَي البَيْتِ المَعْموْرٍ،

Then I was taken up to the seventh heaven and Jibril asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who are you?'

He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was asked, `Has his Mission started?

He said, `His Mission has started.'

So it was opened for us, and there I saw Ibrahim, who was leaning back against the Much-Frequented House (Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur).

Every day seventy thousand angels enter it, then they never come back to it again.

Then I was taken to Sidrat Al-Muntaha (the Lote tree beyond which none may pass), and its leaves were like the leaves (ears) of elephants and its fruits were like jugs, and when it was veiled with whatever it was veiled with by the command of Allah, it changed, and none of the creatures of Allah can describe it because it is so beautiful.

Then Allah revealed that which He revealed to me.

وَقَدْ فَرَضَ عَلَيَّ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ خَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً

He enjoined on me fifty prayers every day and night.

فَنَزَلَتُ حَتَّى انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَى مُوسَى، قَالَ: مَا فَرَضَ رَبُّك عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ؟

I came down until I reached Musa, and he said, `What did your Lord enjoin on your Ummah!'

قُلْتُ: خَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ

I said, `Fifty prayers everyday and night.'

قَالَ:ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَاسْأَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِكَ، فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ لَا تُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ وَإِنِّي قَدْ بَلَوْتُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَخَبَرْتُهُمْ

He said, `Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce (the burden) for your Ummah, for your Ummah will not be able to do that. I tested the Children of Israel and found out how they were.'

قَالَ: فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى رَبِّي ...فَاسْأَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِك

So I went back to my Lord and said, `O Lord, reduce (the burden) for my Ummah for they will never be able to do that.' So He reduced it by five.

I came back down until I met Musa and he asked me, `What did you do?'

I said, `(My Lord) reduced (my burden) by five.'

He said, `Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce (the burden) for your Ummah.'

قَالَ: فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَرْجِعُ بَيْنَ رَبِّي وَبَيْنَ مُوسَى وَيَحُطُّ عَنِّي خَمْسًا خَمْسًا حَتَّى قَالَ

I kept going back between my Lord and Musa, and (my Lord) reduced it by five each time, until He said,

يَا مُحَمَّدُ

هُنَّ خَمْسُ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ بِكُلِّ صَلَاةٍ عَشْرٌ، فَتِلْكَ خَمْسُونَ صَلَاةً وَمَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَةً، فَإِنْ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ عَشْرًا

وَمَنْ هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا لَمْ تُكْتَبْ شَيْئًا، فَإِنْ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ سَيِّئَةً وَاحِدَةً،

`O Muhammad,

these are five prayers every day and night, and for every prayer there is (the reward of) ten, so they are (like) fifty prayers.

Whoever wants to do something good then does not do it, one good deed will be recorded for him, and if he does it, ten good deeds will be recorded for him.

Whoever wants to do something evil and does not do it, no evil deed will be recorded for him, and if he does it, one evil deed will be recorded for him.'

I came down until I reached Musa, and told him about this.

He said: `Go back to your Lord and ask him to reduce (the burden) for your Ummah, for they will never be able to do that.'

I had kept going back to my Lord until I felt too shy.

This version was also recorded by Muslim.

Imam Ahmad recorded Anas saying that;

Al-Buraq was brought to the Prophet on the Night of the Isra' with his saddle and reins ready for riding. The animal shied, and Jibril said to him:

"Why are you doing this! By Allah, no one has ever ridden you who is more honored by Allah than him.''

At this, Al-Buraq started to sweat.

This was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi, who said it is Gharib.

Ahmad also recorded that Anas said:

"The Messenger of Allah said:

لَمَّا عَرَجَ بِي رَبِّي عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَرَرْتُ بِقَوْمٍ لَهُمْ أَظْفَارٌ مِنْ نُحَاسٍ يَخْمِشُونَ بِهَا وُجُوهَهُمْ وَصُدُورَهُمْ، فَقُلْتُ: مَنْ هؤُلَاءِ يَا جِبْرِيلُ؟ قَالَ: هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ لُحُومَ النَّاسِ وَيَقَعُونَ فِي أَعْرَاضِهِم

When I was taken up to my Lord (during Al-Mi'raj), I passed by people who had nails of copper with which they were scratching their faces and chests. I asked, `Who are these, O Jibril!'

He said, `These are those who ate the flesh of the people (i.e., backbiting) and slandered their honor.'

This was also recorded by Abu Dawud.

Anas also said that the Messenger of Allah said:

مَرَرْتُ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِي عَلَى مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ قَائِمًا يُصَلِّي فِي قَبْرِه

On the night when I was taken on my Night Journey (Al-Isra'), I passed by Musa, who was standing, praying in his grave.

This was also recorded by Muslim.

 The Report of Anas bin Malik from Malik bin Sa`sa`ah

Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas bin Malik said that Malik bin Sa`sa`ah told him that the Prophet of Allah told them about the night in which he was taken on the Night Journey (Al-Isra').

He said:

بَيْنَمَا أَنَا فِي الْحَطِيمِ وَرُبَّمَا قَالَ قَتَادَةُ: فِي الْحِجْرِ مُضْطَجِعًا إِذْ أَتَانِي آتٍ، فَجَعَلَ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ الْأَوْسَطِ بَيْنَ الثَّلَاثَةِ قَالَ فَأَتَانِي فَقَدَّ سَمِعْتُ قَتَادَةَ يَقُولُ: فَشَقَّ مَا بَيْنَ هَذِهِ إِلَى هَذِه

While I was lying down in Al-Hatim (or maybe, Qatadah said, in Al-Hijr) 'someone came to me and said to his companion, `The one who is in the middle of these three.' He came to me and opened me.

I (one of the narrators) heard Qatadah say, `split me - from here to here.'

Qatadah said: "I said to Al-Jarud, who was beside me, `What does that mean?'

He said, `From the top of his chest to below his navel', and I heard him say, `from his throat to below his navel'.

The Prophet said:

فَاسْتُخْرِجَ قَلْبِي قَالَ فَأُتِيتُ بِطَسْتٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ مَمْلُوءَةٍ إِيمَانًا وَحِكْمَةً فَغُسِلَ قَلْبِي ثُمَّ حُشِيَ ثُمَّ أُعِيدَ ثُمَّ أُتِيتُ بِدَابَّةٍ دُونَ الْبَغْلِ وَفَوْقَ الْحِمَارِ أَبْيَض

He took out my heart and brought a golden vessel filled with faith and wisdom. He washed my heart then filled it up and put it back, then a white animal was brought to me that was smaller than a mule and larger than a donkey.

Al-Jarud said, `Was this Al-Buraq?, O Abu Hamzah!'

He said, `Yes, and its stride covered a distance as far as it could see.'

The Prophet said:

فَحُمِلْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَانْطَلَقَ بِي جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ حَتَّى أَتَى بِي إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَاسْتَفْتَحَ، فَقِيلَ: مَنْ هَذَا؟

قَالَ: جِبْرِيلُ،

قِيلَ: وَمَنْ مَعَكَ؟

قَالَ: مُحَمَّدٌ،

قِيلَ: أَوَ قَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟

قَالَ: نَعَمْ

فَقِيلَ: مَرْحَبًا بِهِ وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ

قَالَ فَفُتِحَ لَنَا فَلَمَّا خَلَصْتُ فَإِذَا فِيهَا آدَمُ عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ،

قَالَ: هَذَا أَبُوكَ آدَمُ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ السَّلَامَ ثُمَّ قَالَ: مَرْحَبًا بِالْابْنِ الصَّالِحِ وَالنَّبِيِّ الصَّالِحِ،

I was mounted upon it and Jibril brought me to the first heaven, and asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who is this?'

He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was said, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `Yes.'

It was said, `Welcome to him, blessed is the one who comes.'

So it was opened for us and when I entered, I saw Adam.

(Jibril) said, `This is your father Adam, greet him.' So I greeted him, and he returned the greeting then said, `Welcome to the righteous son and righteous Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me till we reached the second heaven. Gabriel asked for the gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?'

Gabriel answered, 'Gabriel.'

It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?'

Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.'

It was asked, 'Has he been called?'

Gabriel answered in the affirmative.

Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened.

When I went over the second heaven, there I saw Yahya (i.e. John) and 'Isa (i.e. Jesus) who were cousins of each other.

Gabriel said (to me), 'These are Yahya and 'Isa; pay them your greetings.' So I greeted them and both of them returned my greetings to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the third heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?'

Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel.'

It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?'

Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.'

It was asked, 'Has he been called?'

Gabriel replied in the affirmative.

Then it was said, 'He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!'

The gate was opened, and when I went over the third heaven there I saw Yusuf (Joseph).

Gabriel said (to me), 'This is Yusuf; pay him your greetings.'

So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fourth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?'

Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel'

It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?'

Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.'

It was asked, 'Has he been called?'

Gabriel replied in the affirmative.

Then it was said, 'He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!'

The gate was opened, and when I went over the fourth heaven, there I saw Idris. Gabriel said (to me), 'This is Idris; pay him your greetings.'

So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.'

Then I was taken up to the fifth heaven, and (Jibril) asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who is this?'

He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was said, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `Yes.'

It was said, `Welcome to him, blessed is the one who comes.'

So it was opened for us and when I entered, I saw Harun.

(Jibril) said, `This is Harun, greet him.' So I greeted him, and he returned the greeting then said, `Welcome to the righteous brother and righteous Prophet.'

Then I was taken up to the sixth heaven, and (Jibril) asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who is this?'

He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad.'

It was said, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `Yes.'

It was said, `Welcome to him, blessed is the one who comes.' So it was opened for us and when I entered, I saw Musa.

(Jibril) said, `This is Musa, greet him.'

So I greeted him, and he returned the greeting then said, `Welcome to the righteous brother and righteous Prophet.'

When I passed by him, he wept, and it was said to him, `Why are you weeping' He said, `I am weeping because a young man was sent after me and more people from his Ummah than from mine will enter Paradise.'

قَالَ: ثُمَّ صَعِدَ حَتَّى أَتَى السَّمَاءَ السَّابِعَةَ ......هَذَا إبْرَاهِيمُ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ: فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ السَّلَامَ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: مَرْحَبًا بِالْابْنِ الصَّالِحِ وَالنَّبِيِّ الصَّالِحِ

Then I was taken up to the seventh heaven, and (Jibril) asked for it to be opened. It was said, `Who is this?'

He said, `Jibril.'

It was said, `Who is with you?'

He said, `Muhammad'.

It was said, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `Yes.'

It was said, `Welcome to him, blessed is the one who comes.'

So it was opened for us and when I entered, I saw Ibrahim.

(Jibril) said, `This is Ibrahim, greet him.'

So I greeted him, and he returned the greeting then said, `Welcome to the righteous son and righteous Prophet.'

قَالَ ثُمَّ رُفِعَتْ إِلَيَّ سِدْرَةُ الْمُنْتَهَى فَإِذَا نَبْقُهَا مِثْلُ قِلَالِ هَجَرَ، وَإِذَا وَرَقُهَا مِثْلُ آذَانِ الْفِيَلةِ،

فَقَالَ: هَذِهِ سِدْرَةُ الْمُنْتَهَى، قَالَ: وَإِذَا أَرْبَعَةُ أَنْهَارٍ: نَهْرَانِ بَاطِنَانِ وَنَهْرَانِ ظَاهِرَانِ،

فَقُلْتُ: مَا هَذَا يَا جِبْرِيلُ؟

قَالَ: أَمَّا الْبَاطِنَانِ فَنَهْرَانِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَأَمَّا الظَّاهِرَانِ فَالنِّيلُ وَالْفُرَاتُ

قَالَ ثُمَّ رُفِعَ إِلَيَّ الْبَيْتُ الْمَعْمُور

Then I was taken up to Sidrat Al-Muntaha, whose fruits like the clay jugs of Hajar (a region in Arabia) and its leaves were like the ears of elephants.

(Jibril) said: `This is Sidrat Al-Muntaha.' And there were four rivers, two hidden and two visible.

I said, `What is this, O Jibril'

He said, `The two hidden rivers are rivers in Paradise, and the two visible rivers are the Nile and the Euphrates.'

Then I was shown Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur.

Qatadah said:

Al-Hasan told us narrating from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet saw Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur. Each day seventy thousand angels enter it, then they never return from it.

Then he continued to narrate the Hadith of Anas;

ثُمَّ أُتِيتُ بِإِنَاءٍ مِنْ خَمْرٍ وَإِنَاءٍ مِنْ لَبَنٍ وَإِنَاءٍ مِنْنَعسَلٍ.

قَالَ فَأَخَذْتُ اللَّبَنَ قَالَ: هَذِهِ الْفِطْرَةُ أَنْتَ عَلَيْهَا وَأُمَّتُكَ

Then I was brought a vessel of wine, a vessel of milk and a vessel of honey.

I chose the milk, and he (Jibril) said, `This is the Fitrah (natural instinct) on which you and your Ummah will be.'

قَالَ ثُمَّ فُرِضَتْ عَلَيَّ الصَّلَاةُ خَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً كُلَّ يَوْمٍ

Then the prayer was enjoined upon me, fifty prayers each day.

قَالَ فَنَزَلْتُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ مُوسَى، فَقَالَ: مَا فَرَضَ رَبُّكَ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ؟

I came down until I reached Musa, who said, `What did your Lord enjoin upon your Ummah?'

قَالَ: فَقُلْتُ: خَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً كُلَّ يَوْمٍ،

I said, `Fifty prayers each day.'

قَالَ: إِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ لَا تَسْتَطِيعُ خَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً وَإِنِّي قَدْ خَبَرْتُ النَّاسَ قَبْلَكَ، وَعَالَجْتُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَشَدَّ الْمُعَالَجَةِ، فَارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَاسْأَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِكَ

He said, `Your Ummah will not be able to do fifty prayers each day. I tried the people before you, I had to deal with the Children of Israel and it was very difficult for me. Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce the burden on your Ummah.'

قَالَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَوَضَعَ عَنِّي عَشْرًا ......فَاسْأَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِكَ  

So I went back, and the number was reduced by ten. I came back to Musa and he asked, `What were you commanded to do?'

I said, `Forty prayers each day.'

He said, `Your Ummah will not be able to do forty prayers each day. I tried the people before you, I had to deal with the Children of Israel and it was very difficult for me. Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce the burden on your Ummah.'

قَالَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَوَضَعَ عَنِّي عَشْرًا أُخَرَ......فَاسْأَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِكَ 

So I went back, and the number was reduced by ten.

I came back to Musa and he asked, `What were you commanded to do?'

I said, `I was commanded to do thirty prayers each day.'

He said, `Your Ummah will not be able to do thirty prayers each day. I tried the people before you, I had to deal with the Children of Israel and it was very difficult for me. Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce the burden on your Ummah.'

قَالَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَوَضَعَ عَنِّي عَشْرًا أُخَرَ......فَاسْأَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِكَ 

So I went back, and the number was reduced by ten.

I came back to Musa and he asked, `What were you commanded to do?'

I said, `Twenty prayers each day.'

He said, `Your Ummah will not be able to do twenty prayers each day. I tried the people before you, I had to deal with the Children of Israel and it was very difficult for me. Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce the burden on your Ummah.'

قَالَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَوَضَعَ عَنِّي عَشْرًا أُخَرَ......فَاسْأَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِكَ

So I went back, and the number was reduced by ten more.

I came back to Musa and he asked, `What were you commanded to do?'

I said, `Ten prayers each day.'

He said, `Your Ummah will not be able to do ten prayers each day. I tried the people before you, I had to deal with the Children of Israel and it was very difficult for me. Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce the burden on your Ummah.'

قَالَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَأُمِرْتُ بِخَمْسِ صَلَواتٍ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ......فَاسْأَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِكَ 

So I went back, and I was commanded to do five prayers every day.

I came back to Musa and he asked, `What were you commanded to do?'

I said, `Five prayers each day.'

He said, `Your Ummah will not be able to do five prayers each day. I tried the people before you, I had to deal with the Children of Israel and it was very difficult for me. Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce the burden on your Ummah.'

قَالَ قُلْتُ: قَدْ سَأَلْتُ رَبِّي حَتَّى اسْتَحْيَيْتُ، وَلَكِنْ أَرْضَى وَأُسَلِّمُ،

I said, `I have asked my Lord until I feel too shy. I accept this and submit to Him.'

فَنَفَذْتُ فَنَادَى مُنَادٍ: قَدْ أَمْضَيْتُ فَرِيضَتِي وَخَفَّفْتُ عَنْ عِبَادِي

Then a voice called out: `My order has been decreed and I have reduced the burden on My servants.'

Similar narrations were recorded in the Two Sahihs.

 The Report of Anas from Abu Dharr

Al-Bukhari recorded that Anas bin Malik said:

Abu Dharr used to tell us that the Messenger of Allah said:

فُرِجَ عَنْ سَقْفِ بَيْتِي وَأَنَا بِمَكَّةَ، فَنَزَلَ جِبْرِيلُ فَفَرَجَ صَدْرِي ثُمَّ غَسَلَهُ بِمَاءِ زَمْزَمَ، ثُمَّ جَاءَ بِطَسْتٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ مُمْتَلِىءٍ حِكْمَةً وَإِيمَانًا، فَأَفْرَغَهُ فِي صَدْرِي، ثُمَّ أَطْبَقَهُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَعَرَجَ بِي إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا،

The roof of my house was opened while I was in Makkah, and Jibril came down and opened my chest, then he washed it with Zamzam water. Then he brought a vessel of gold filled with wisdom and faith, and poured it into my chest, then he closed it up. Then he took me by the hand and took me up to the lowest heaven.

فَلَمَّا جِئْتُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ لِخَازِنِ السَّمَاءِ: افْتَحْ

قَالَ: مَنْ هَذَا؟

قَالَ: جِبْرِيلُ،

قَالَ: هَلْ مَعَكَ أَحَدٌ؟

قَالَ: نَعَمْ مَعِيَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلّم،

فَقَالَ: أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟

قَالَ: نَعَمْ

When we came to the lowest heaven, Jibril said to its keeper, `Open up!'

He said, `Who is this?'

He said, `Jibril.'

He said, `Is there anyone with you?'

He said, `Yes, Muhammad is with me.'

He said, `Has his Mission started?'

He said, `Yes.'

فَلَمَّا فَتَحَ عَلَوْنَا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ قَاعِدٌ عَلَى يَمِينِهِ أَسْوِدَةٌ وَعَلَى يَسَارِهِ أَسْوِدَةٌ، إِذَا نَظَرَ قِبَلَ يَمِينِهِ ضَحِكَ وَإِذَا نَظَرَ قِبَلَ شِمَالِهِ بَكَى،

When it was opened, we went up into the first heaven, where I saw a man sitting with a multitude to his right and another to his left. When he looked to his right he smiled, and when he looked to his left, he wept.

فَقَالَ: مَرْحَبًا بِالنَّبِيِّ الصَّالِحِ وَالْابْنِ الصَّالِحِ

He said, `Welcome to the righteous Prophet and the righteous son.'

قَالَ قُلْتُ لِجِبْرِيلَ: مَنْ هَذَا؟

قَالَ: هَذَا آدَمُ وَهَذِهِ الْأَسْوِدَةُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ نَسَمُ بَنِيهِ، فَأَهْلُ الْيَمِينِ مِنْهُمْ أَهْلُ الْجَنَّةِ، وَالْأَسْوِدَةُ الَّتِي عَنْ شِمَالِهِ أَهْلُ النَّارِ، فَإِذَا نَظَرَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ ضَحِكَ، وَإِذَا نَظَرَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ بَكَى،

I said to Jibril, `Who is this?'

He said, `This is Adam, and these multitudes to his right and left are the souls of his descendants. The people on his right include the people of Paradise, and the people on his left include the people of Hell, so when he looks to his right he smiles, and when he looks to his left he weeps.'

ثُمَّ عَرَجَ بِي إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الثَّانِيَة

Then he took me up to the second heaven...

... Then we passed by Ibrahim, who said, `Welcome to the righteous Prophet and the righteous son.'

قُلْتُ: مَنْ هَذَا؟ قَالَ: هَذَا إِبْرَاهِيم

I said, `Who is this?'

ثُمَّ مَرَرْتُ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ

He said, `This is Ibrahim.'

فَقَالَ: مَرْحبًا بِالنَّبِيِّ الصَّالِحِ وَالْابْنِ الصَّالِحِ،

He said, `Welcome to the righteous Prophet and the righteous son.'

Az-Zuhri said: Ibn Hazm told me that Ibn Abbas and Abu Habbah Al-Ansari used to say:

the Prophet narrated here -

ثُمَّ عُرِجَ بِي حَتَّى ظَهَرْتُ لِمُسْتَوًى أَسْمَعُ فِيهِ صَرِيفَ الْأَقْلَام

Then I was taken up until I reached a level where I could hear the sound of the pens.

Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said: the Messenger of Allah said:

فَفَرَضَ اللهُ عَلَى أُمَّتِي خَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً،

Allah enjoined upon my Ummah fifty prayers.

فَرَجَعْتُ بِذَلِكَ حَتَّى مَرَرْتُ عَلَى مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ، فَقَالَ: مَا فَرَضَ اللهُ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ؟

I came back with this (message) until I passed by Musa, who said, `What did your Lord enjoin upon your Ummah?'

قُلْتُ: فَرَضَ خَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً،

I said, `He enjoined fifty prayers.'

قَالَ مُوسَى: فَارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ لَا تُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ،

Musa said, `Go back to your Lord, for your Ummah will not be able to do that.'

فَرَجَعْتُ فَوَضَعَ شَطْرَهَا ......فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ لَا تُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ،

So I went back, and He reduced it by half.

Then I came back to Musa and said, `It has been reduced by half.'

He said, `Go back to your Lord, for your Ummah will not be able to do that.'

فَرَجَعْتُ فَوَضَعَ شَطْرَهَا......فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ لَا تُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ،  

So I went back, and it was reduced by half.

I came back to him, and he said, `Go back to your Lord, for your Ummah will not be able to do that.'

فَرَاجَعْتُهُ فَقَالَ: هِيَ خَمْسٌ وَهِيَ خَمْسُونَ لَا يُبَدَّلُ الْقَوْلُ لَدَيَّ،

So I went back, and He said: `They are five but equal in reward to fifty, for My word does not change.'

فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى مُوسَى فَقَالَ: ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ،

I came back to Musa and he said, `Go back to your Lord.'

قُلْتُ: قَدِ اسْتَحْيَيْتُ مِنْ رَبِّي،

I said, `I feel too shy before my Lord.'

ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ بِي حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى فَغَشِيَهَا أَلْوَانٌ لَا أَدْرِي مَااِهيَ، ثُمَّ أُدْخِلْتُ الْجَنَّةَ، فَإِذَا فِيهَا حَبَائِلُ اللُّؤْلُؤِ، وَإِذَا تُرَابُهَا الْمِسْك

Then I was taken up until I reached Sidrat Al-Muntaha, which was veiled in indescribable colors. Then I entered Paradise, in which I saw nets of pearls and its soil of musk.

This version was recorded by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Prayer.

He also reported in the Book of Tafsir, under the discussion of Bani Isra'il (i.e., Surah Al-Isra'), the Book of Hajj and the Stories of the Prophets, via different chains of narration from Yunus.

Muslim recorded similar Hadiths in his Sahih in the Book of Faith.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abdullah bin Shaqiq said:

I said to Abu Dharr, "If I had seen the Messenger of Allah, I would have asked him.''

He said, "What would you have asked him?''

He said, "I would have asked him, if he saw his Lord?''

He said, "I did ask him that, and he said,

قَدْ رَأَيْتُهُ نُورًا، أَنَّى أَرَاه

I saw it as light, how could I see Him!''

This is how it was narrated in the report of Imam Ahmad.

Muslim recorded that Abdullah bin Shaqiq said that Abu Dharr said:

"I asked the Messenger of Allah, `Did you see your Lord?'

He said,

نُورٌ أَنَّى أَرَاه

(I saw) a light, how could I see Him?''

Abdullah bin Shaqiq said: I said to Abu Dharr, "If I had seen the Messenger of Allah, I would have asked him.''

He said, "What would you have asked him?''

He said, "I would have asked him, `Did you see your Lord?''

Abu Dharr said, "I asked him that, and he said,

رَأَيْتُ نُورًا

I saw light.

 The Report of Jabir bin Abdullah

Imam Ahmad recorded that Jabir bin Abdullah said that he heard the Messenger of Allah say:

لَمَّا كَذَّبَتْنِي قُرَيْشٌ حِينَ أُسْرِيَ بِي إِلَى بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ، قُمْتُ فِي الْحِجْرِ فَجَلَى اللهُ لِي بَيْتَ الْمَقْدِسِ، فَطَفِقْتُ أُخْبِرُهُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِهِ وَأَنَا أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْه

When Quraysh did not believe that I had been taken on the Night Journey to Bayt Al-Maqdis, I stood up in Al-Hijr and Allah displayed Bayt Al-Maqdis before me, so I told them about its features while I was looking at it.

This was also reported in the Two Sahihs with different chains of narration.

According to Al-Bayhaqi, Ibn Shihab said that Abu Salamah bin Abdur-Rahman said:

Some people from Quraish went to Abu Bakr and said, "Have you heard what your companion is saying He is claiming that he went to Bayt Al-Maqdis and came back to Makkah in one night!''

Abu Bakr said, "Did he say that!''

They said, "Yes.''

Abu Bakr said, "Then I bear witness that if he said that, he is speaking the truth.''

They said, "You believe that he went to Ash-Sham (Greater Syria) in one night and came back to Makkah before morning!''

He said, "Yes, I believe him with regard to something even more than that. I believe him with regard to the revelation that comes to him from heaven.''

Abu Salamah said, from then on Abu Bakr was known as As-Siddiq (the true believer).

 The Report of  Abdullah bin Abbas

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Abbas said:

"On the night when the Messenger of Allah was taken on his Night Journey, he entered Paradise, in some part of which he heard a sound.

He said, `O Jibril, what is this?'

He said, `This is Bilal, the Mu'adhdhin.'

When the Prophet came back to the people, he said,

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ بِلَالٌ، رَأَيْتُ لَهُ كَذَا وَكَذَا

Bilal has succeeded, I saw that he will have such and such.

He (the Prophet) was met by Musa, who welcomed him and said, `Welcome to the Unlettered Prophet.'

He was a tall, dark man with lank hair coming down to his ears or above his ears.

He said, `Who is this, O Jibril!'

He said, `This is Musa.'

Then he went on and met a venerable, distinguished old man, who welcomed him and greeted him with Salam, and all of them were greeting him. He said, `Who is this?, O Jibril!'

He said, `This is your father Ibrahim.'

Then he looked into Hell and saw some people eating rotten meat. He said, `Who are these people, O Jibril!'

He said, `They are those who used to eat the flesh of the people (i.e., backbiting).'

He saw a man who was very red and dark blue, and said, `Who is this, O Jibril!'

He said, `This is the one who slaughtered the she-camel (of Salih).'

When the Messenger of Allah came to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, he stood up to pray, and all the Prophets gathered and prayed with him. When he finished, he was brought two cups, one on his right and one on his left, one containing milk and one containing honey. He took the milk and drank it, and the one who was carrying the cup said, `You have chosen the Fitrah (natural instinct).'''

The chain of narrators is Sahih, although they (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.

Imam Ahmad reported that Ibn Abbas said:

"The Messenger of Allah was taken on the Night Journey to Bayt Al-Maqdis, then he came back and told them about his journey and the features of Bayt Al-Maqdis and the caravan (of Quraysh).

Some people said, `We do not believe what Muhammad is saying,' and they left Islam and became disbelievers. Allah destroyed them when He destroyed Abu Jahl.

Abu Jahl said: `Muhammad is trying to scare us with the tree of Zaqqum; bring some dates and butter and let us have some Zaqqum!'

The Prophet also saw the Dajjal in his true form, in real life, not in a dream, and he saw `Isa, Musa and Ibrahim.

The Prophet was asked about the Dajjal, and he said:

رَأَيْتُهُ فَيلَمَانِيًا أَقْمَرَ هِجَانًا، إِحْدَى عَيْنَيْهِ قَائِمَةٌ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ، كَأَنَّ شَعْرَ رَأْسِهِ أَغْصَانُ شَجَرَةٍ،

I saw him as a tall and huge man, with a whitish complexion. One of his eyes stood out like a shining star. The hair on his head looked like the branches of a tree.

وَرَأَيْتُ عِيسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ (شابًّا) أَبْيَضَ، جَعْدَ الرَّأْسِ حَدِيدَ الْبَصَرِ، وَمُبَطَّنَ الْخَلْقِ،

And I saw `Isa, white with curly hair and an intense gaze, of average build.

وَرَأَيْتُ مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ أَسْحَمَ آدَمَ، كَثِيرَ الشَّعْرِ، شَدِيدَ الْخَلْقِ،

I saw Musa, dark-skinned, with a lot of hair and a strong build.

وَنَظَرْتُ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ فَلَمْ أَنْظُرْ إِلَى إِرْبٍ مِنْهُ إِلَّا نَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ مِنِّي حَتَّى كَأَنَّهُ صَاحِبُكُمْ،

قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ: سَلِّمْ عَلَى أَبِيكَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْه

I looked at Ibrahim and did not see anything in him that I do not see in myself; it is as if he were your companion (meaning himself).

Jibril said: `Greet your father with Salam,' so I greeted him with Salam.

This was also recorded by An-Nasa'i from the Hadith of Abu Zayd Thabit bin Yazid from Hilal, who is Ibn Khabbab, and it is a Sahih chain of narrators.

Al-Bayhaqi recorded that Abu Al-Aliyah said: "The cousin of your Prophet, Ibn Abbas narrated to us from the Messenger of Allah, he said:

Allah's Messenger said,

رَأَيْتُ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِي مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ رَجُلًا طُوَالًا جَعْدًا، كَأَنَّهُ مِنْ رِجَالِ شَنُوءَةَ، وَرَأَيْتُ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ مَرْبُوعَ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى الْحُمْرَةِ وَالْبَيَاضِ سَبْطَ الرَّأس

On the night when I was taken on the Night Journey, I saw Musa bin Imran, a tall, curly-haired man, as if he was from the tribe of Shanu'ah. And I saw `Isa bin Maryam, of medium stature, white with a reddish complexion, with straight hair.

And he was shown Malik, the keeper of Hell, and the Dajjal, with the signs that Allah revealed to him.'

He said,

فَلاَ تَكُن فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَآئِهِ

So be not you in doubt of meeting him. (32:33)

Qatadah used to interpret this to mean that the Prophet of Allah met Musa.

وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِى إِسْرَءِيلَ

And We made it (or him) a guide to the Children of Israel. (32:33)

Qatadah said:

"(This means) Allah made Musa a guide for the Children of Israel.''

Muslim reported this in his Sahih, and Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded a shorter version from Qatadah.

Imam Ahmad also recorded that Ibn Abbas said:

"The Messenger of Allah said:

لَمَّا كَانَ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِي، فَأَصْبَحْتُ بِمَكَّةَ فَظِعْتُ وَعَرَفْتُ أَنَّ النَّاسَ مُكَذِّبِي

On the night when I was taken on the Night Journey, I woke up in Makkah the next morning having anxiety that, I knew that the people would not believe me.

He kept away from people, feeling anxious and sad, then the enemy of Allah Abu Jahl passed by him and came to sit with him, saying mockingly, `Is there anything new!'

The Messenger of Allah said, نَعَم  (Yes).

He said, `What is it?'

He said, إِنِّي أُسْرِيَ بِي اللَّيْلَة  (I was taken on a Journey last night).

He said, `Where to?'

He said, إِلَى بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِس  (To Bayt Al-Maqdis).

He said, `Then this morning you were among us!'

He said, نَعَم  (Yes).

Abu Jahl did not want to say to his face that he was lying, lest he deny saying it when he called other people to hear him, so he said: `Do you think that if I call your people, you will tell them about what happened!'

The Messenger of Allah said, نَعَم  (Yes).

Abu Jahl said, `O people of Bani Ka`b bin Lu'ay!'

People got up from where they were sitting and came to join them.

Abu Jahl said, `Tell your people what you told me.'

The Messenger of Allah said, إِنِّي أُسْرِيَ بِي اللَّيْلَة  (I was taken on a Journey last night).

They said, `Where to!'

He said, إِلَى بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِس  (To Bayt Al-Maqdis).

They said, `Then this morning you were among us!'

He said, نَعَم  (Yes).

They began to clap their hands together and put their hands on their heads in astonishment at this "lie'' - as they claimed it to be.

They said, `Can you describe the sanctuary to us!'

Among them were some who had traveled to that land and seen the sanctuary, so the Messenger of Allah said,

فَمَا زِلْتُ أَنْعَتُ حَتَّى الْتَبَسَ عَلَيَّ بَعْضُ النَّعْتِ قَالَ فَجِيءَ بِالْمَسْجِدِ وَأَنَا أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ حَتَّى وُضِعَ دُونَ دَارِ عُقَيلٍ أَوْ عِقَالٍ فَنَعَتُّهُ وَأَنَا أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ

قَالَ وَكَانَ مَعَ هَذَا نَعْتٌ لَمْ أَحْفَظْهُ

قَالَ فَقَالَ الْقَوْمُ: أَمَّا النَّعْتُ فَوَاللهِ لَقَدْ أَصَابَ فِيه

I started to describe it, until I reached a point where I was not sure about some of the details, but then the sanctuary was brought close and placed near the house of `Uqayl - or `Iqal - so I could look at it and describe the details.

I could not remember those description.

The people said, `As for the description, by Allah he has got it right.''

This was recorded by An-Nasa'i and Al-Bayhaqi.

 The Report of Abdullah bin Mas`ud

Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr Al-Bayhaqi reported that Abdullah bin Mas`ud said:

"When the Messenger of Allah was taken on the Night Journey, he went as far as Sidrat Al-Muntaha, which is in the sixth heaven. Everything that ascends stops there, until it is taken from that point, and everything that comes down stops there, until it is taken from there.

إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَى

When that covered As-Sidrat Al-Muntaha which did cover it! (53:16)

Ibn Mas`ud said:

"It is covered with gold butterflies. The Messenger of Allah was given the five prayers and the final Ayat of Surah Al-Baqarah, and forgiveness was granted for major sins to those who do not associate anything in worship with Allah.''

This was recorded by Muslim in his Sahih.

 The Report of Abu Hurayrah

Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported in their Sahihs that Abu Hurayrah said:

the Messenger of Allah said:

حِينَ أُسْرِيَ بِي، لَقِيتُ مُوسَى عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ

فَنَعَتَهُ، فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ حَسِبْتُهُ قَالَ مُضْطَرِبٌ رَجِلُ الرَّأْسِ كَأَنَّهُ مِنْ رِجَالِ شَنُوءَةَ،

When I was taken on the Night Journey, I met Musa.

He described him as a man - I think he said - a curly-haired man, as if he were from the tribe of Shanu'ah.

قَالَ: وَلَقِيتُ عِيسَى

فَنَعَتَهُ النَّبِيُّصلى الله عليه وسلّم قَالَ رَبْعَةٌ أَحْمَرُ كَأَنَّمَا خَرَجَ مِنْ دِيمَاسٍ يَعْنِي حَمَّامًا،

And I met `Isa.

And the Prophet described him as being of average height, with a reddish complexion, as if he had just come out of the bath.

قَالَ وَلَقِيتُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَأَنَا أَشْبَهُ وَلَدِهِ بِهِ،

And I met Ibrahim, and I am the one who resembles him most among his children.

قَالَ: وَأُتِيتُ بِإِنَاءَيْنِ فِي أَحَدِهِمَا لَبَنٌ وَفِي الْآخَرِ خَمْرٌ،

قِيلَ لِي: خُذْ أَيَّهُمَا شِئْتَ، فَأَخَذْتُ اللَّبَنَ فَشَرِبْتُ، فَقِيلَ لِي:

I was brought two vessels, one containing milk and the other containing wine.

It was said to me, `Take whichever one you want.' So I took the milk and drank it, and it was said to me,

هُدِيتَ الْفِطْرَةَ أَوْ أَصَبْتَ الْفِطْرَةَ أَمَا إِنَّكَ لَوْ أَخَذْتَ الْخَمْرَ غَوَتْ أُمَّتُك

`You have been guided to the Fitrah - or - You have chosen the Fitrah. If you had chosen the wine, your Ummah would have gone astray.'''

They also recorded it with another chain of narrators.

Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said:

"The Messenger of Allah said:

لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُنِي فِي الْحِجْرِ وَقُرَيْشٌ تَسْأَلُنِي عَنْ مَسْرَايَ،فَسَأَلُونِي عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ مِنْ بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ لَمْ أُثْبِتْهَا، فَكُرِبْتُ (كُرْبَةً) مَا كُرِبْتُ مِثْلَهُ قَطُّ، فَرَفَعَهُ اللهُ إِليَّ أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ مَا سَأَلُونِي عَنْ شَيْءٍ إِلَّا أَنْبَأْتُهُمْ بِهِ،

I remember being in Al-Hijr, and the Quraysh were asking me about my Night Journey. They asked me things about Bayt Al-Maqdis that I was not sure of, and I felt more anxious and stressed then than I have ever felt. Then Allah raised up Bayt Al-Maqdis for me to see, and there was nothing they asked me about but I told them about it.

وَقَدْ رَأَيْتُنِي فِي جَمَاعَةٍ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ، وَإِذَا مُوسَى قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي، وَإِذَا هُوَ رَجُلٌ جَعْدٌ كَأَنَّهُ مِنْ رِجَالِ شَنُوءَةَ،

And I remember being in a gathering of the Prophets. Musa was standing there praying, and he was a man with curly hair, as if he were one of the men of Shanu'ah.

وَإِذَا عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي أَقْرَبُ النَّاسِ شَبَهًا بِهِ عَرْوَةُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ الثَّقَفِيُّ،

I saw `Isa bin Maryam standing there praying, and the one who most resembles him is `Urwah bin Mas`ud Ath-Thaqafi.

وَإِذَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي أَقْرَبُ النَّاسِ شَبَهًا بِهِ صَاحِبُكُمْ يَعْنِي نَفْسَهُ

And I saw Ibrahim standing there praying, and the one who most resembles him is your companion (meaning himself).

فَحَانَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَأَمَمْتُهُمْ، فَلَمَّا فَرَغْتُ قَالَ قَائِلٌ: يَا مُحَمَّدُ هَذَا مَالِكُ خَازِنُ جَهَنَّمَ، (فَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ) فَالْتَفَتُّ إِلَيْهِ فَبَدَأَنِي بِالسَّلَام

Then the time for prayer came, and I led them in prayer. When I finished, a voice said, `O Muhammad, this is Malik, the keeper of Hell,' so I turned to him, and he greeted me first.''

 The Time that Isra' took place, and the Fact that it included both Body and Soul, when the Prophet was awake, not in a Dream

Musa bin Uqbah said, narrating from Az-Zuhri:

"The Isra' happened one year before the Hijrah.''

This was also the opinion of Urwah.

As-Suddi said:

"It happened sixteen months before the Hijrah.''

The truth is that the Prophet was taken on the Night Journey when he was awake, not in a dream, and he went from Makkah to Bayt Al-Maqdis riding on Al-Buraq.

When he reached the door of the sanctuary, he tied up his animal by the door and entered, where he prayed two Rak`ahs to `greet the Masjid'.

Then the Mi`raj was brought to him, which is a ladder with steps which one climbs up. So he went up on it to the first heaven, then he went up to the rest of the seven heavens.

In each heaven he was welcomed by the most pious of its inhabitants, and he greeted the Prophets who were in the various heavens according to their positions and status.

He passed by Musa, the one who spoke with Allah, in the sixth heaven, and Ibrahim, the close friend (Khalil) of Allah in the seventh heaven.

Then he surpassed them and all the Prophets in status and reached a level where he could hear the creaking of the pens, i.e., the pens of destiny which write down what is decreed to happen.

He saw Sidrat Al-Muntaha, covered by the command of Allah, and its greatness, its butterflies of gold and various colors, surrounded by the angels. There he saw Jibril in his real form, with six hundred wings.

He saw green cushions blocking the horizon. He saw Al-Bayt Al-Ma`mur, and Ibrahim Al-Khalil, the builder of the earthly Ka`bah, leaning back against it, the heavenly Ka`bah; every day, seventy thousand angels enter and worship therein, then they do not return to it until the Day of Resurrection.

He saw Paradise and Hell, and Allah enjoined upon him fifty prayers, then reduced it to five, as an act of mercy and kindness towards His servants. In this is a strong indication of the greatness and virtue of the prayers.

Then he came back down to Bayt Al-Maqdis, and the Prophets came down with him and he led them in prayer there when the time for prayer came. It may have been the dawn prayer of that day.

Some people claim that he led them in prayer in heaven, but the reports seem to say that it was in Bayt Al-Maqdis.

In some reports it says that it happened when he first entered (i.e., before ascending into the heavens), but it is more likely that it was after he came back, because when he passed by them in the places in the heavens, he asked Jibril about them, one by one, and Jibril told him about them. This is more appropriate, because he was first required to come before the Divine Presence, so that what Allah willed could be enjoined upon him and his Ummah. When the matter for which he was required had been dealt with, he and his brother-Prophets gathered, and his virtue and high position in relation to them became apparent when he was asked to come forward to lead them, which was when Jibril indicated to him that he should do so.

Then he came out of Bayt Al-Maqdis and rode on Al-Buraq back to Makkah in the darkness of the night. And Allah knows best.

As for his being presented with the vessels containing milk and honey, or milk and wine, or milk and water, or all of these, some reports say that this happened in Bayt Al-Maqdis, and others say that it happened in the heavens. It is possible that it happened in both places, because it is like offering food or drink to a guest when he arrives, and Allah knows best.

The Prophet was taken on the Night Journey with body and soul, he was awake, not asleep. The evidence for this is the Ayah:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ

Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) Who took His servant for a Journey by Night from Al-Masjid Al-Haram to Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, the neighborhood whereof We have blessed,

The words "Subhan Allah'' (Glorified and exalted be Allah) are spoken in the case of serious matters. If it had been a dream, it would have been a significant matter and would not have been so astounding; the disbelievers of the Quraysh would not have hastened to label him a liar and the group of people who had become Muslims would not have deserted the faith.

The word `Abd (servant) refers to both soul and body.

Allah says:

أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلاً

took His servant for a Journey by Night.

and:

وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّءْيَا الَّتِى أَرَيْنَـكَ إِلاَّ فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ

And We made not the vision which we showed you but a trial for mankind. (17:60)

Ibn Abbas said:

"This is the vision that the Messenger of Allah saw with his own eyes during the Journey by Night, and the cursed tree is the tree of Zaqqum.''

This was recorded by Al-Bukhari.

Allah said:

مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَى

The sight (of Prophet Muhammad) turned not aside (right or left), nor it transgressed beyond the limit (ordained for it). (53:17)

Sight (Al-Basr) is a physical faculty, not a spiritual one, and he was carried on Al-Buraq, a shining white animal. This too indicates a physical journey, because the soul does not need a means of transportation of this nature.

And Allah knows best.

 An Interesting Story

In his book Dala'il An-Nubuwwah, Al-Hafiz Abu Nu`aym Al-Isbahani recorded via Muhammad bin Umar Al-Waqidi who said:

Malik bin Abi Ar-Rijjal told me from Amr bin Abdullah that Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi said:

"The Messenger of Allah sent Dihyah bin Khalifah to Caesar.''

He mentioned how he came to him, and described an incident that showed how wise Caesar was.

He sent for the Arab merchants who were in Syria and Abu Sufyan Sakhr bin Harb and his companions were brought to him. He asked them the well-known questions that were recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, as we shall discuss below, and Abu Sufyan tried hard to give the impression that this was an insignificant issue.

(The narrator) said that Abu Sufyan (later) said:

"By Allah, nothing stopped me from saying something to Heraclius to make him despise (Muhammad) but the fact that I did not want to tell a lie that would later be found out, and he would never believe me again after that.

Then I told him about the night on which he was taken on the Night Journey.

I said: `O King, shall I not tell you of something from which you will know that he is lying!'

He said, `What is it?'

I said: `He claims that he went out of our land, the land of Al-Haram, in one night, and came to your sanctuary in Jerusalem, then came back to us the same night, before morning came.'

The Patriarch of Jerusalem was there, standing next to Caesar.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem said: `I know that night.'

Caesar looked at him and said, `How do you know about this!'

He said,

`I never used to sleep at night until I closed the doors of the sanctuary. On that night I closed all the doors except for one, which I could not manage to close. I asked my workers and others who were with me to help me deal with it, but we could not move it. It was like trying to move a mountain. So I called the carpenters, and they looked at it and said: The lintel and some part of the structure has fallen onto it. We cannot move it until morning, when we will be able to see what the problem is. So I went back and left those two doors open.

The next morning I went back, and saw that the stone at the corner of the sanctuary had a hole in it, and there were traces of an animal having been tethered there.

I said to my companions: This door has not been closed last night except for a Prophet, who prayed last night in our sanctuary.'''

And he mentioned the rest of the Hadith.

In his book At-Tanwir fi Mawlid As-Siraj Al-Munir, Al-Hafiz Abu Al-Khattab Umar bin Dihyah mentioned the Hadith of the Isra' narrated from Anas, and spoke well about it, then he said:

"The reports of the Hadith of the Isra' reach the level of Mutawatir.

They were narrated from;

•  Umar bin Al-Khattab,

• Ali, Ibn Mas`ud,

• Abu Dharr,

• Malik bin Sa`sa`ah,

• Abu Hurayrah,

• Abu Sa`id,

• Ibn Abbas,

• Shaddad bin Aws,

• Ubayy bin Ka`b,

• Abdur-Rahman bin Qarat,

• Abu Habbah Al-Ansari,

• Abu Layla Al-Ansari,

• Abdullah bin `Amr,

• Jabir, Hudhayfah,

• Buraydah,

• Abu Ayub,

• Abu Umamah,

• Samurah bin Jundub,

• Abu Al-Hamra',

• Suhayb Ar-Rumi,

• Umm Hani', and

• A'ishah and Asma', the daughters of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq,

may Allah be pleased with them all.

Some of them narrated the incident at length, and others narrated it more briefly, as was reported in the Musnad collections.

Even though some reports do not fulfill the conditions of Sahih, nevertheless the Muslims agreed unanimously on the fact that the Isra' happened, and it was rejected only by the heretics and apostates.

يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُواْ نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَهِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَـفِرُونَ

They intend to put out the Light of Allah with their mouths. But Allah will bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it). (61:8)

 Musa and how He was given the Tawrah

When Allah mentions how He took His servant Muhammad, on the Journey by Night, He follows it by mentioning Musa, His servant and Messenger who also spoke with Him. Allah often mentions Muhammad and Musa together, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both, and he mentions the Tawrah and the Qur'an together. So after mentioning the Isra',

He says:

وَآتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ ... 

And We gave Musa the Scripture,

meaning the Tawrah.

... وَجَعَلْنَاهُ ...

and made it,

meaning the Scripture,

... هُدًى ...

a guidance,

meaning a guide,

... لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَلاَّ تَتَّخِذُواْ ...

for the Children of Israel (saying): "Take none...''

means, lest they should take,

... مِن دُونِي وَكِيلاً ﴿٢﴾

''... other than Me as (your) Wakil.''

means, `you have no protector, supporter or god besides Me,' because Allah revealed to every Prophet that he should worship Him alone with no partner or associate.

Then Allah says:

ذُرِّيَّةَ مَنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ ...

O offspring of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nuh,

by addressing the descendants of those who were carried in the ship with Nuh there is a reminder of the blessings, as if Allah is saying: `O descendants of those whom We saved and carried in the ship with Nuh, follow in the footsteps of your father,

... إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا ﴿٣﴾

Verily, he was a grateful servant.

`Remember the blessing I have granted you by sending Muhammad.'

Imam Ahmad reported that Anas bin Malik said:

"The Messenger of Allah said:

إِنَّ اللهَ لَيَرْضَى عَنِ الْعَبْدِ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ الْأَكْلَةَ أَوْ يَشْرَبَ الشَّرْبَةَ فَيَحْمَدَ اللهَ عَلَيْهَا

Allah will be pleased with His servant if, when he eats something or drinks something, he praises Allah for it.''

This was also recorded by Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i.

Malik said about Zayd bin Aslam:

"He used to praise Allah in all circumstances.''

In this context, Al-Bukhari mentioned the Hadith of Abu Zar`ah narrating from Abu Hurayrah, who said that the Prophet said:

أَنَا سَيِّدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَة

I will be the leader of the sons of Adam on the Day of Resurrection...

He quoted the Hadith at length, and in the Hadith, the Prophet said:

فَيَأْتُونَ نُوحًا فَيَقُولُونَ: يَا نُوحُ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ أَوَّلُ الرُّسُلِ إِلَى أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ، وَقَدْ سَمَّاكَ اللهُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا، فَاشْفَعْ لَنَا إِلَى رَبِّك

They will come to Nuh and will say, `O Nuh, you were the first of the Messengers sent to the people of earth, and Allah called you grateful servant, so intercede for us with your Lord.'

And he quoted the Hadith in full.

 It was mentioned in the Tawrah that the Jews would spread Mischief twice

Allah tells;

وَقَضَيْنَا إِلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فِي الْكِتَابِ لَتُفْسِدُنَّ فِي الأَرْضِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَتَعْلُنَّ عُلُوًّا كَبِيرًا ﴿٤﴾  

And We decreed for the Children of Israel in the Scripture: "Indeed you would do mischief in the land twice and you will become tyrants and extremely arrogant!''

Allah tells us that He made a declaration to the Children of Israel in the Scripture, meaning that He had already told them in the Book which He revealed to them, that they would cause mischief on the earth twice, and would become tyrants and extremely arrogant, meaning they would become shameless oppressors of people, Allah says:

وَقَضَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ الاٌّمْرَ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَـؤُلآْءِ مَقْطُوعٌ مُّصْبِحِينَ

And We made known this decree to him, that the root of those (sinners) was to be cut off in the early morning. (15:66),

meaning, We already told him about that and informed him of it.

 The First Episode of Mischief caused by the Jews, and their Punishment for it

Allah tells;

فَإِذَا جَاء وَعْدُ أُولاهُمَا ...

So, when the promise came for the first of the two,

meaning the first of the two episodes of mischief.

... بَعَثْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادًا لَّنَا أُوْلِي بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ ...

We sent against you servants of Ours given to terrible warfare.

means, `We unleashed soldiers against you from among Our creatures who were given to terrible warfare,' i.e., they had great strength and weapons and power.

... فَجَاسُواْ خِلاَلَ الدِّيَارِ ...

They entered the very innermost parts of your homes.

meaning they took possession of your land and invaded the very innermost parts of your homes, going between and through your houses, coming and going freely with no fear of anyone.

... وَكَانَ وَعْدًا مَّفْعُولاً ﴿٥﴾

And it was a promise (completely) fulfilled.

The earlier and later commentators differed over the identity of these invaders.

Many Israiliyyat (reports from Jewish sources) were narrated about this, but I did not want to make this book too long by mentioning them, because some of them are fabricated, concocted by their heretics, and others may be true, but we have no need of them, praise be to Allah.

What Allah has told us in His Book (the Qur'an) is sufficient and we have no need of what is in the other books that came before. Neither Allah nor His Messenger required us to refer to them.

Allah told His Messenger that when (the Jews) committed transgression and aggression, Allah gave their enemies power over them to destroy their country and enter the innermost parts of their homes. Their humiliation and subjugation was a befitting punishment, and your Lord is never unfair or unjust to His servants. They had rebelled and killed many of the Prophets and scholars.

Ibn Jarir recorded that Yahya bin Sa`id said: "I heard Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib saying:

`Nebuchadnezzar conquered Ash-Sham (Greater Syria, including Palestine), destroying Jerusalem and killing them, then he came to Damascus and found blood boiling in a censer.

He asked them: What is this blood?

They said: We found our forefathers doing this.

Because of that blood, he killed seventy thousand of the believers and others, then the blood stopped boiling.

This report is Sahih from Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib, and this event is well-known, as he (Nebuchadnezzar) killed their nobles and scholars, and did not leave alive anyone who knew the Tawrah by heart. He took many prisoners from the sons of the Prophets and others, and did many other things that would take too long to mention here. If we had found anything that was correct or close enough, we could have written it and reported it here. And Allah knows best.

ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَا لَكُمُ الْكَرَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَمْدَدْنَاكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ أَكْثَرَ نَفِيرًا ﴿٦﴾

Then We gave you a return of victory over them. And We helped you with wealth and children and made you more numerous in manpower.

Then Allah says:

إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا ...

(And We said): "If you do good, you do good for your own selves, and if you do evil (you do it) against yourselves.''

As Allah says elsewhere:

مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَـلِحاً فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ أَسَآءَ فَعَلَيْهَا

Whosoever does a righteous good deed, it is for (the benefit of) himself; and whosoever does evil, it is against himself. (45:15)

 The Second Episode of Mischief

Then Allah says:

... فَإِذَا جَاء وَعْدُ الآخِرَةِ ...

Then, when the second promise came to pass,

meaning, the second episode of mischief, when your enemies came again,

... لِيَسُوؤُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ ...

(We permitted your enemies) to disgrace your faces,

meaning, to humiliate you and subdue you,

... وَلِيَدْخُلُواْ الْمَسْجِدَ ...

and to enter the Masjid,

meaning, Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem).

... كَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ...

as they had entered it before,

when they entered the very innermost parts of your homes.

... وَلِيُتَبِّرُواْ ...

and to destroy,

wrecking and inflicting ruin upon it.

... مَا عَلَوْاْ ...

all that fell in their hands.

everything they could get their hands on.

... تَتْبِيرًا ﴿٧﴾

عَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَن يَرْحَمَكُمْ ...

with utter destruction. It may be that your Lord may show mercy unto you,

meaning that He may rid you of them.

... وَإِنْ عُدتُّمْ عُدْنَا ...

but if you return (to sins), We shall return (to Our punishment).

meaning, if you return to causing mischief,

عُدْنَا (We shall return) means,

We `will once again punish you in this world, along with the punishment and torment We save for you in the Hereafter.'

... وَجَعَلْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ حَصِيرًا ﴿٨﴾

And We have made Hell a prison (Hasir) for the disbelievers.

meaning, a place of permanent detention, a prison which cannot be avoided or escaped.

Ibn Abbas said,

"Hasir here means a jail.''

Mujahid said,

"They will be detained in it.''

Others said like- wise.

Al-Hasan said,

"Hasir means a bed of Fire.''

Qatadah said:

"The Children of Israel returned to aggression, so Allah sent this group against them, Muhammad and his companions, who made them pay the Jizyah, with willing submission, and feeling themselves subdued.''

 Praising the Qur'an

Allah praises His noble Book,

إِنَّ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنَ يِهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ ...

Verily, this Qur'an guides to that which is most just and right

Allah praises His noble Book, the Qur'an, which He revealed to His Messenger Muhammad. It directs people to the best and clearest of ways.

... وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ...

and gives good news to those who believe, (in it) 

... الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ ...

those who do righteous deeds,

in accordance with it, telling them,

... أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا ﴿٩﴾

that they will have a great reward,

i.e., on the Day of Resurrection.

And He tells

وأَنَّ الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالآخِرَةِ ...

those who do not believe in the Hereafter,

... أَعْتَدْنَا ...

We have prepared

... لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا ﴿١٠﴾

for them is a painful torment,

i.e. on the Day of Resurrection.

As Allah says:

فَبَشِّرْهُمْ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

... then announce to them a painful torment. (84:24)

 Man's Haste and Prayers against Himself

Allah tells;

وَيَدْعُ الإِنسَانُ بِالشَّرِّ دُعَاءهُ بِالْخَيْرِ ...

And man invokes (Allah) for evil as he invokes (Allah) for good and man is ever hasty.

Allah tells us about man's haste and how he sometimes prays against himself or his children or his wealth, praying for something bad to happen for them, or for them to die or be destroyed, invoking curses, etc. If Allah were to answer his prayer, he would be destroyed because of it, as Allah says:

وَلَوْ يُعَجِّلُ اللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ الشَّرَّ

And were Allah to hasten for mankind the evil... (10:11)

This is how it was interpreted by Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah.

We have already discussed the Hadith:

لَا تَدْعُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ، وَلَا عَلَى أَمْوَالِكُمْ أَنْ تُوَافِقُوا مِنَ اللهِ سَاعَةَ إِجَابَةٍ يَسْتَجِيبُ فِيهَا

Do not pray against yourselves or your wealth, for that might coincide with a time when Allah answers prayers.

What makes the son of Adam do that is his anxiety and haste.

Allah says:

... وَكَانَ الإِنسَانُ عَجُولاً ﴿١١﴾

And man is ever hasty.

Salman Al-Farisi and Ibn Abbas mentioned the story of Adam, when he wanted to get up before his soul reached his feet.

When his soul was breathed into him, it entered his body from his head downwards. When it reached his brain he sneezed, and said,

"Al-Hamdu Lillah'' (praise be to Allah),

and Allah said, "May your Lord have mercy on you, O Adam.''

When it reached his eyes, he opened them, and when it reached his body and limbs he started to stare at them in wonder.

He wanted to get up before it reached his feet, but he could not.

He said, "O Lord, make it happen before night comes.''

 The Night and Day are Signs of the Great Power of Allah

Allah says:

وَجَعَلْنَا اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ آيَتَيْنِ فَمَحَوْنَا آيَةَ اللَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَا آيَةَ النَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةً ...  

And We have appointed the night and the day as two Ayat (signs). Then, We have obliterated the sign of the night (with darkness) while We have made the sign of the day illuminating,

Allah reminds us of the great signs that He created, including the alternation of the night and day, so that people may rest at night, and go out and earn a living, do their work, and travel during the day, and so that they may know the number of days, weeks, months and years, so they will know the appointed times for paying debts, doing acts of worship, dealing with transactions, paying rents and so on.

Allah says:

... لِتَبْتَغُواْ فَضْلاً مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ...

that you may seek bounty from your Lord,

meaning, in your living and travels etc.

... وَلِتَعْلَمُواْ عَدَدَ السِّنِينَ وَالْحِسَابَ ...

and that you may know the number of the years and to count.

If time stood still and never changed, we would not know any of these things, as Allah says:

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ الَّيْلَ سَرْمَداً إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَـمَةِ مَنْ إِلَـهٌ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُمْ بِضِيَآءٍ أَفَلاَ تَسْمَعُونَ

قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ النَّهَارَ سَرْمَداً إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَـمَةِ مَنْ إِلَـهٌ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُمْ بِلَيْلٍ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ أَفلاَ تُبْصِرُونَ

وَمِن رَّحْمَتِهِ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لِتَسْكُنُواْ فِيهِ وَلِتَبتَغُواْ مِن فَضْلِهِ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Say: "Tell me! If Allah made the night continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, which god besides Allah could bring you light! Will you not then hear!''

Say: "Tell me! If Allah made the day continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, which god besides Allah could bring you night wherein you rest! Will you not then see!''

It is out of His mercy that He has made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and that you may seek of His bounty - and in order that you may be grateful. (28:71-73)

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى السَّمَآءِ بُرُوجاً وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا سِرَاجاً وَقَمَراً مُّنِيراً

وَهُوَ الَّذِى جَعَلَ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ خِلْفَةً لِّمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَذَّكَّرَ أَوْ أَرَادَ شُكُوراً

Blessed be He Who has placed the big stars in the heaven, and has placed therein a great lamp (sun), and a moon giving light.

And He it is Who has put the night and the day in succession, for such who desires to remember or desires to show his gratitude. (25:61-62)

وَلَهُ اخْتِلَـفُ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ

and His is the alternation of night and day. (23:80)

يُكَوِّرُ الَّيْـلَ عَلَى النَّهَـارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ النَّـهَارَ عَلَى الَّيْلِ وَسَخَّـرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ كُـلٌّ يَجْرِى لاًّجَـلٍ مُّسَـمًّى أَلا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفَّارُ

He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running (on a fixed course) for an appointed term. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving. (39:5)

فَالِقُ الإِصْبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ الَّيْلَ سَكَناً وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ حُسْبَاناً ذَلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ

(He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointed the night for resting, and the sun and the moon for reckoning. Such is the measuring of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing. (6:96)

وَءَايَةٌ لَّهُمُ الَّيْلُ نَسْلَخُ مِنْهُ النَّهَارَ فَإِذَا هُم مُّظْلِمُونَ

وَالشَّمْسُ تَجْرِى لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَّهَـا ذَلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ

And a sign for them is the night. We withdraw therefrom the day, and behold, they are in darkness.

And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing. (36:37-38)

Allah has made the night a sign having distinguishing features by which it is known. These features include the darkness and the appearance of the moon. The day also has distinguishing features by which it is known; the light and the appearance of the shining sun. He made a distinction between the light of the moon and the light of the sun, so that they may be distinguished from one another, as Allah says:

هُوَ الَّذِى جَعَلَ الشَّمْسَ ضِيَآءً وَالْقَمَرَ نُوراً وَقَدَّرَهُ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعْلَمُواْ عَدَدَ السِّنِينَ وَالْحِسَابَ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ

It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon a light and measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and to count (periods of time). Allah did not create this but in truth. (10:5) until, لآيَـتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَّقُونَ (Ayat for those people who keep their duty to Allah, and fear Him much). (10:6)

يَسْـَلُونَكَ عَنِ الأَهِلَّةِ قُلْ هِىَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَالْحَجِّ

They ask you about the crescent moons.

Say: "These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage.'' (2:189)

... فَمَحَوْنَا آيَةَ اللَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَا آيَةَ النَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةً ...

Then, We have obliterated the sign of the night (with darkness) while We have made the sign of the day illuminating,

Ibn Jurayj reported that Abdullah bin Kathir commented on this Ayah:

"(It means) the darkness of the night and the twilight of the day.''

Ibn Jurayj reported that Mujahid said:

"The sun is the sign of the day and the moon is the sign of the night. فَمَحَوْنَا آيَةَ اللَّيْل (We have obliterated the sign of the night), this refers to the moon's blackness, which is how Allah has created it.''

وَجَعَلْنَا اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ آيَتَيْنِ ...

And We have appointed the night and the day as two Ayat.

Ibn Abi Najih reported that Ibn Abbas said:

"By night and day, this is how Allah created them, may He be glorified.''

... وَكُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَصَّلْنَاهُ تَفْصِيلاً ﴿١٢﴾

And We have explained everything (in detail) with full explanation.

 Every Person will have the Book of his Deeds with Him

After mentioning time, and the deeds of the son of Adam that take place therein, Allah says:

وَكُلَّ إِنسَانٍ أَلْزَمْنَاهُ طَآئِرَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ ...

And We have fastened every man's Ta'irah (deeds) to his neck,

The word Ta'irah (lit. something that flies) refers to man's deeds which fly from him, as Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and others said.

It includes both good deeds and bad deeds, he will be forced to acknowledge them and will be rewarded or punished accordingly.

فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْراً يَرَهُ

وَمَن يَعْـمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرّاً يَرَهُ

So whosoever does good equal to the weight of a speck of dust shall see it.

And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of a speck of dust shall see it. (99:7-8)

Allah says:

إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى الْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ

مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلاَّ لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ

(Remember) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions).

Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). (50:17-18)

وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَـفِظِينَ

كِرَاماً كَـتِبِينَ

يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ 

But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you, Kiraman (Honorable) Katibin - writing down (your deeds), they know all that you do. (82:10-12)

إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

You are only being requited for what you used to do. (52:16)

مَن يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا يُجْزَ بِهِ

whosoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof. (4:123)

The meaning is that the deeds of the sons of Adam are preserved, whether they are great or small, and they are recorded night and day, morning and evening.

... وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كِتَابًا يَلْقَاهُ مَنشُورًا ﴿١٣﴾

and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall bring out for him a Book which he will find wide open.

meaning, `We will collect all of his deeds for him in a Book which will be given to him on the Day of Resurrection, either in his right hand, if he is one of the blessed, or in his left hand if he is one of the wretched.'

مَنشُورًا (wide open) means,

it will be open for him and others to read all of his deeds, from the beginning of his life until the end.

يُنَبَّأُ الإِنسَـنُ يَوْمَئِذِ بِمَا قَدَّمَ وَأَخَّرَ

بَلِ الإِنسَـنُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بَصِيرَةٌ

وَلَوْ أَلْقَى مَعَاذِيرَهُ

On that Day man will be informed of what (deeds) he sent forward, and what (deeds) he left behind.

Nay! Man will be a witness against himself, though he may put forth his excuses. (75:13-15)

Allah says:

اقْرَأْ كَتَابَكَ كَفَى بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا ﴿١٤﴾

(It will be said to him): "Read your Book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day.''

meaning, you have not been treated unjustly and nothing has been recorded against you except what you have done, because you remember everything that you have done, and no one will forget anything that he did. Everyone will be able to read his Book, whether he is literate or illiterate.

...أَلْزَمْنَاهُ طَآئِرَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ ...

And We have fastened every man's Ta'irah (deeds) to his neck,

The neck is mentioned because it is a part of the body