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Al-Isra' and al-Mi'raj: the Night Journey

20 questions from the 5 Learn lessons on this topic in Seerah Streak. Every answer comes with its hadith from Sahih Muslim and Sahih al-Bukhari.

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  1. On the Night Journey, the Prophet ﷺ tied al-Buraq to the ring used by the prophets at Bayt al-Maqdis in Jerusalem, then entered the mosque and prayed. How many rak'ahs did he pray there?

    1. Three
    2. Two
    3. Four
    4. One
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Two

    The Prophet ﷺ said that he entered the mosque and prayed two rak'ahs in it, and then came out.

    حتى أتيت بيت المقدس»، قال: «فربطته بالحلقة التي يربط به الأنبياء»، قال " ثم دخلت المسجد، فصليت فيه ركعتين، ثم خرجت فجاءني جبريل عليه

    I mounted it and came to the Temple (Bait Maqdis in Jerusalem), then tethered it to the ring used by the prophets. I entered the mosque and prayed two rak'ahs in it, and then came out and Gabriel brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 162a · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  2. Ibn Abbas explained the vision that Allah mentions in the Qur'an (17:60), which Allah's Messenger ﷺ was shown on the night he was taken to Bayt al-Maqdis. What kind of sights were they?

    1. Sights seen in a dream
    2. A message heard through revelation
    3. Real sights seen with the eye
    4. Stories of earlier prophets
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    Answer: Real sights seen with the eye

    Ibn Abbas said that the sights shown to Allah's Messenger ﷺ on the Night Journey were actual sights, not dreams.

    في قوله تعالى وما جعلنا الرؤيا التي أريناك إلا فتنة للناس قال هي رؤيا عين أريها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليلة أسري به إلى بيت المقدس قال والشجرة الملعونة في القرآن قال هي شجرة الزقوم \ 1 \

    Narrated Ibn `Abbas:Regarding the Statement of Allah" "And We granted the vision (Ascension to the heavens) which We made you see (as an actual eye witness) was only made as a trial for the people." (17.60) Ibn `Abbas added: The sights which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was shown on the Night Journey when he was taken to Bait-ulMaqdis (i.e. Jerusalem) were actual sights, (not dreams).Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3888 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  3. In Abu Hurairah's account, the Prophet ﷺ found himself among a group of prophets and saw Musa, Isa and Ibrahim each standing in prayer. When the time for prayer came, who led them?

    1. Ibrahim
    2. Musa (Moses)
    3. Isa (Jesus)
    4. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
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    Answer: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

    The Prophet ﷺ said that when the time of prayer came, he led them.

    السلام قائم يصلي، أشبه الناس به صاحبكم - يعني نفسه - فحانت الصلاة فأممتهم، فلما فرغت من الصلاة قال قائل: يا محمد، هذا مالك

    When the time of prayer came I led them.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 172 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  4. In Abu Hurairah's account, after the Prophet ﷺ led the prophets in prayer, someone said, "Here is Malik, the keeper of the Hell; pay him salutations." What happened when the Prophet ﷺ turned to Malik?

    1. Malik greeted him first
    2. The Prophet ﷺ greeted Malik first
    3. Malik asked who he was
    4. Malik turned away
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    Answer: Malik greeted him first

    The Prophet ﷺ said that he turned to Malik, the keeper of the Fire, and Malik greeted him first.

    من الصلاة قال قائل: يا محمد، هذا مالك صاحب النار، فسلم عليه، فالتفت إليه، فبدأني بالسلام "

    When I completed the prayer, someone said: Here is Malik, the keeper of the Hell; pay him salutations. I turned to him, but he preceded me in salutationTranslation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 172 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  5. On the night of his Night Journey, the Prophet ﷺ passed by Musa and also saw Isa son of Maryam, as reported by Ibn Abbas. How did the Prophet ﷺ describe Isa's build?

    1. Short
    2. Of medium build
    3. Heavily built
    4. Very tall
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    Answer: Of medium build

    The Prophet ﷺ described Isa son of Maryam as of medium build.

    قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «مررت ليلة أسري بي على موسى بن عمران عليه السلام، رجل آدم طوال جعد كأنه من رجال شنوءة، ورأيت عيسى ابن مريم مربوع الخلق إلى الحمرة والبياض، سبط الرأس»، وأري مالكا خازن النار،

    Abu al-'Aliya reported:Ibn Abbas, the son of your Prophet's uncle, told us that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had observed: On the night of my night journey I passed by Moses b. 'Imran (peace be upon him), a man light brown in complexion, tall. well-built as if he was one of the men of the Shanu'a, and saw Jesus son of Mary as a medium-statured man with white and red complexion and crisp hair, and I was shown Malik the guardian of Fire, and Dajjal amongst the signs which were shown to me by Allah.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 165b · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  6. Ibn Abbas reported that on the night of the Night Journey the Prophet ﷺ passed by Musa son of Imran. What was Musa's complexion, as the Prophet ﷺ described him?

    1. Very fair
    2. Reddish
    3. Brown
    4. Pale
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Brown

    The Prophet ﷺ described Musa as a brown man.

    قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «مررت ليلة أسري بي على موسى بن عمران عليه السلام، رجل آدم طوال جعد كأنه من رجال شنوءة، ورأيت عيسى ابن مريم مربوع الخلق إلى

    Abu al-'Aliya reported:Ibn Abbas, the son of your Prophet's uncle, told us that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had observed: On the night of my night journey I passed by Moses b. 'Imran (peace be upon him), a man light brown in complexion, tall. well-built as if he was one of the men of the Shanu'a, and saw Jesus son of Mary as a medium-statured man with white and red complexion and crisp hair, and I was shown Malik the guardian of Fire, and Dajjal amongst the signs which were shown to me by Allah.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 165b · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  7. Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet ﷺ saw Isa son of Maryam on the night of the Night Journey. Which colours did the Prophet ﷺ say his complexion inclined to?

    1. Dark brown
    2. Yellowish
    3. Pale
    4. Red and white
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Red and white

    The Prophet ﷺ described Isa as medium-built, with a complexion of red and white.

    السلام، رجل آدم طوال جعد كأنه من رجال شنوءة، ورأيت عيسى ابن مريم مربوع الخلق إلى الحمرة والبياض، سبط الرأس»، وأري مالكا خازن النار،

    Abu al-'Aliya reported:Ibn Abbas, the son of your Prophet's uncle, told us that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had observed: On the night of my night journey I passed by Moses b. 'Imran (peace be upon him), a man light brown in complexion, tall. well-built as if he was one of the men of the Shanu'a, and saw Jesus son of Mary as a medium-statured man with white and red complexion and crisp hair, and I was shown Malik the guardian of Fire, and Dajjal amongst the signs which were shown to me by Allah.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 165b · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  8. In Ibn Abbas's report of the Night Journey, the narrator cites a verse of Surat al-Sajdah (32:23) telling the Prophet ﷺ not to doubt his meeting with him. According to Qatada, which prophet does it mean he had met?

    1. Musa
    2. Isa
    3. Ibrahim
    4. Adam
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Musa

    Qatada explained that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had met Musa.

    الحمرة والبياض، سبط الرأس»، وأري مالكا خازن النار، والدجال في آيات أراهن الله إياه، {فلا تكن في مرية من لقائه} [السجدة: 23]، قال: كان قتادة «يفسرها أن نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قد لقي موسى عليه السلام»

    Abu al-'Aliya reported:Ibn Abbas, the son of your Prophet's uncle, told us that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had observed: On the night of my night journey I passed by Moses b. 'Imran (peace be upon him), a man light brown in complexion, tall. well-built as if he was one of the men of the Shanu'a, and saw Jesus son of Mary as a medium-statured man with white and red complexion and crisp hair, and I was shown Malik the guardian of Fire, and Dajjal amongst the signs which were shown to me by Allah. He (the narrator) observed: Then do not doubt his (i. e. of the Holy Prophet) meeting with him (Moses). Qatada elucidated it thus: Verily the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), met Moses (peace be upon him)Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 165b · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  9. Abu Dhar reported the Prophet's ﷺ account of the Mi'raj: the roof of his house was opened and Gabriel descended. In which city was the Prophet ﷺ at that moment?

    1. Madinah
    2. Makkah
    3. Ta'if
    4. Jeddah
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    Answer: Makkah

    The Prophet ﷺ said, "While I was at Makkah, the roof of my house was opened and Jibril descended."

    يحدث أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال فرج سقف بيتي وأنا بمكة فنزل جبريل ففرج صدري ثم غسله بماء زمزم ثم جاء

    Narrated Anas (ra):Abu Dhar (ra) used to say that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "While I was at Makkah, the roof of my house was opened and Jibril descended, opened my chest, and washed it with Zamzam water.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3342 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  10. At the start of the Mi'raj, as Abu Dhar reported it, Gabriel descended, opened the Prophet's ﷺ chest and washed it. What did he wash it with?

    1. Rainwater
    2. Snow water
    3. Zamzam water
    4. Water from a spring in Paradise
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    Answer: Zamzam water

    The Prophet ﷺ said that Jibril opened his chest and washed it with Zamzam water.

    قال فرج سقف بيتي وأنا بمكة فنزل جبريل ففرج صدري ثم غسله بماء زمزم ثم جاء بطست من ذهب ممتلئ حكمة وإيمانا فأفرغها في

    Narrated Anas (ra):Abu Dhar (ra) used to say that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "While I was at Makkah, the roof of my house was opened and Jibril descended, opened my chest, and washed it with Zamzam water.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3342 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  11. Abu Dhar reported that at the start of the Mi'raj, after washing the Prophet's ﷺ chest, Gabriel brought a golden tray and emptied its contents into his chest. What was the tray full of?

    1. Light and certainty
    2. Knowledge and patience
    3. Mercy and guidance
    4. Wisdom and faith
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    Answer: Wisdom and faith

    The Prophet ﷺ said Jibril brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith, poured its contents into his chest and closed it.

    ففرج صدري ثم غسله بماء زمزم ثم جاء بطست من ذهب ممتلئ حكمة وإيمانا فأفرغها في صدري ثم أطبقه ثم أخذ بيدي فعرج بي

    Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith, and having poured its contents into my chest, he closed it.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3342 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  12. In the nearest heaven the Prophet ﷺ met Adam, who had groups of the souls of his descendants on his right and on his left. Who did Gabriel say were the souls on Adam's right?

    1. The people of Paradise
    2. The people of the Fire
    3. The prophets among his descendants
    4. The angels of the nearest heaven
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    Answer: The people of Paradise

    Gabriel said the souls on Adam's right were the people of Paradise, and those on his left were the people of the Fire.

    هذا آدم وهذه الأسودة عن يمينه وعن شماله نسم بنيه فأهل اليمين منهم أهل الجنة والأسودة

    Jibril replied, 'He is Adam, and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on the right are the people of Paradise, and those on the left are the people of the (Hell) Fire.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3342 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  13. In Anas's account of the night of the Isra, Moses told the Prophet ﷺ that his followers could not bear fifty prayers and that he should go back to his Lord. The Prophet ﷺ then turned to someone as if to consult him. Who was it?

    1. Ibrahim
    2. Adam
    3. Gabriel
    4. Harun (Aaron)
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    Answer: Gabriel

    The narration says the Prophet ﷺ turned to Gabriel as if consulting him about it.

    صلاة كل يوم وليلة قال إن أمتك لا تستطيع ذلك فارجع فليخفف عنك ربك وعنهم فالتفت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى جبريل كأنه

    Moses said, "Your followers cannot do that; Go back so that your Lord may reduce it for you and for them." So the Prophet (ﷺ) turned to Gabriel as if he wanted to consult him about that issue.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 7517 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  14. In Anas's account of the night of the Isra, once the prayers had been reduced to five, Moses stopped the Prophet ﷺ again. He said he had tried to make his own people observe less than five prayers, yet they gave it up. Which people was he speaking about?

    1. The people of Pharaoh
    2. The people of Nuh (Noah)
    3. The people of 'Ad
    4. Bani Israel
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Bani Israel

    Moses said that he had tried to persuade Bani Israel, his own people, to do less than this, but they could not do it and gave it up.

    موسى عند الخمس فقال يا محمد والله لقد راودت بني إسرائيل قومي على أدنى من هذا فضعفوا فتركوه فأمتك أضعف أجسادا وقلوبا وأبدانا وأبصارا

    Then Moses stopped him when the prayers had been reduced to five and said, "O Muhammad! By Allah, I tried to persuade my nation, Bani Israel to do less than this, but they could not do it and gave it up.Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 7517 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  15. In Anas's account of the night of the Isra, Allah told the Prophet ﷺ that the Word from Him does not change. How many times over did Allah say each good deed would be rewarded?

    1. Ten times
    2. Five times
    3. Twenty times
    4. Fifty times
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Ten times

    Allah said every good deed is rewarded ten times over, so it is fifty in the Mother of the Book, while the Prophet's ﷺ followers perform only five.

    قال لبيك وسعديك قال إنه لا يبدل القول لدي كما فرضت عليك في أم الكتاب قال فكل حسنة بعشر أمثالها فهي خمسون في أم الكتاب وهي خمس عليك فرجع إلى موسى فقال

    Allah said, "The Word that comes from Me does not change, so it will be as I enjoined on you in the Mother of the Book." Allah added, "Every good deed will be rewarded as ten times so it is fifty (prayers) in the Mother of the Book (in reward) but you are to perform only five (in practice)."Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 7517 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  16. In Anas's account of the night of the Isra, the Prophet ﷺ asked Allah to lighten the prayers again. Allah addressed him, "O Muhammad!" What did the Prophet ﷺ reply?

    1. We hear and we obey
    2. Labbayk and Sa'dayk
    3. Glory be to You
    4. All praise is for Allah
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Labbayk and Sa'dayk

    When Allah said, "O Muhammad!", the Prophet ﷺ replied, "Labbaik and Sa'daik."

    فقال يا رب إن أمتي ضعفاء أجسادهم وقلوبهم وأسماعهم وأبدانهم فخفف عنا فقال الجبار يا محمد قال لبيك وسعديك قال إنه لا يبدل القول

    The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Lord, my followers are weak in their bodies, hearts, hearing and constitution, so lighten our burden." On that the Irresistible said, "O Muhammad!" the Prophet replied, "Labbaik and Sa`daik."Translation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 7517 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  17. Abdullah b. Shaqiq told Abu Dharr that, had he seen the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he would have asked him whether he had seen his Lord. Abu Dharr said he had asked. According to Abu Dharr, what did the Prophet ﷺ say he had seen?

    1. Fire
    2. A cloud
    3. Majesty
    4. Light
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Light

    Abu Dharr said he had asked the Prophet ﷺ whether he had seen his Lord, and that he replied that he saw Light.

    قلت لأبي ذر، لو رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لسألته فقال: عن أي شيء كنت تسأله؟ قال: كنت أسأله هل رأيت ربك؟ قال أبو ذر: قد سألت، فقال: «رأيت نورا»

    Abdullah b. Shaqiq reported:I said to Abu Dharr: Had I seen the Messenger of Allah, I would have asked him. He (Abu Dharr) said: What is that thing that you wanted to inquire of him? He said: I wanted to ask him whether he had seen his Lord. Abu Dharr said: I, in fact, inquired of him, and he replied: I saw LightTranslation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 178b · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  18. Ibn Abbas explained the Qur'anic verses saying that the heart did not deny what the Prophet ﷺ saw, and that he saw Him in another descent. According to Ibn Abbas, how many times did the Prophet ﷺ see Him with his heart?

    1. Twice
    2. Once
    3. Three times
    4. Four times
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Twice

    Ibn Abbas said the Prophet ﷺ saw Him twice with his heart.

    {ما كذب الفؤاد ما رأى} [النجم: 11] {ولقد رآه نزلة أخرى} [النجم: 13]، قال: «رآه بفؤاده مرتين»،

    It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbas that the words:" The heart belied not what he saw" (al-Qur'an, Iiii. 11) and" Certainly he saw Him in another descent" (al-Qur'an, Iiii. 13) imply that he saw him twice with his heartTranslation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 176b · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  19. Masruq reported that Aisha spoke against the claim that Muhammad ﷺ had seen his Lord. Which statement of Allah did she cite?

    1. Nothing is like Him
    2. No vision can grasp Him
    3. He is the First and the Last
    4. Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: No vision can grasp Him

    Aisha, as Masruq reports, cited Allah's words: No vision can grasp Him.

    من حدثك أن محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم رأى ربه فقد كذب وهو يقول لا تدركه الأبصار ومن حدثك أنه يعلم الغيب فقد كذب وهو يقول لا يعلم الغيب إلا الله

    Narrated Masruq:`Aisha said, "If anyone tells you that Muhammad has seen his Lord, he is a liar, for Allah says: 'No vision can grasp Him.' (6.103) And if anyone tells you that Muhammad has seen the Unseen, he is a liar, for Allah says: "None has the knowledge of the Unseen but AllahTranslation: Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Sahih al-Bukhari (Darussalam), as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 7380 · Grade: Sahih (authentic)
  20. Masruq was resting at Aisha's house when she told him that anyone who affirmed even one of certain things had fabricated the greatest lie against Allah. How many things did she say there were?

    1. Two
    2. Four
    3. Three
    4. Five
    Show the answer and its source

    Answer: Three

    Aisha told Masruq there were three things, and the first she named was the claim that Muhammad ﷺ saw his Lord.

    كنت متكئا عند عائشة، فقالت: يا أبا عائشة، ثلاث من تكلم بواحدة منهن فقد أعظم على الله الفرية، قلت: ما هن؟ قالت: من زعم أن محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم رأى ربه

    It is narrated on the authority of Masruq that he said:I was resting at (the house of) 'A'isha that she said: O Abu 'A'isha (kunya of Masruq), there are three things, and he who affirmed even one of them fabricated the greatest lie against Allah. I asked that they were. She said: He who presumed that Muhammad (ﷺ) saw his Lord (with his ocular vision) fabricated the greatest lie against Allah.Translation: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui, Sahih Muslim, as published on sunnah.com.

    Sahih Muslim 177a · Grade: Sahih (authentic)

The questions and explanations are written by Seerah Streak from the cited hadith; words in quotation marks are the source's own. The Arabic is the book's text, checked word for word.

Lessons on this topic

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  1. The Night JourneySahih Muslim 162a · Sahih Muslim 172
  2. The prophets he sawSahih Muslim 165b
  3. Through the heavensSahih al-Bukhari 3342
  4. The gift of prayerSahih al-Bukhari 7517
  5. Did he see his Lord?Sahih Muslim 178b · Sahih Muslim 176b · Sahih al-Bukhari 7380 · Sahih Muslim 177a

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In this part of the Seerah: Makkah: birth to the Hijra

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