#Prophet Ismail (AS

[andromedako]

genesis 16:11-16 // surah as-saaffat 37:100-107

[cruelsister-moved2]

me today in first arabic class when i saw shin and first example word was beyt and i can write my name way easier than all the guys called jack and shit followed by immediate rapid ego death when i realise i have to learn 3 versions of every letter and the teacher says she doesn't even understand moroccan arabic as a native speaker and then shows us arabic cursive thats literally just squiggles with no diacritics 😭😭😭

[islamorzindagi12]

Prophet ISMAIL A.S

Home Prophets Couriers of Allah Prophet ISMAIL A.S Prophet ISMAIL A.S Prophet Ismail is the child of Prophet Abraham (PBUH) and the dad of the Bedouins. His accounts contain numerous thoughts and motivations and show in many parts the significance of being a Muslim - One who submits to the sets of his Maker. Peril Ismail, the child of Courier Ibrahim (A.S) and Danger (Khadar), was one of the 124,000 prophets sent by God. He (A.S) is a prophet and a courier of God. The name of the gospel is Ishmael. Birth He was brought into the world in 1910 B.C. in present-day Palestine and English Columbia. He kicked the bucket in 1774 at 136 years old. Agar's mom (PSL) was the Egyptian pharaoh's girl, a princess. At the point when Abraham was conceived, he was around 86 years of age, and his mom was 25 years of age.

[mercyguideheal]

Dealing with Difficulty - Mufti Menk

Seeking Help https://youtu.be/S_paKY3W8Q4

Connecting with Allah https://youtu.be/APyXa0LpNL4

Prayer https://youtu.be/BRKnUuaWpxw

Fasting https://youtu.be/edcBMzTM8Ho

Spending https://youtu.be/2NwoV86MaTM

Parents https://youtu.be/vWFqB6ISVVo

Full playlist 28 vids: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs-QYOYqew76s59HXF0TR0tRqgC0O4MNT

[hajjtrips]

Over the centuries, many believers have found inspiration from Hagar's struggles as the mother of Prophet Ismail (AS) and the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

[ismailignosis]

New Ismaili Gnosis Podcast: Ep. 1 on the Spiritual Roles of Prophet Muhammad

We are pleased to announce a new Ismaili Gnosis Podcast called Ismaili Gnosis Chats. Each episode features a conversation discussing Ismaili Muslim beliefs, practices, and historical themes – including the Existence of God, Ismaili Tawhid, Proof of Prophethood, the Qur’an, Imamat, Dasond, Ismaili Prayers, etc. We highly recommend listening to Ismaili Gnosis Chats for people who want to benefit…

[muslimah255]

From Quran Kareem

[sabrgirl]

dhul hijjah - a second chance after ramadan ♡

what is dhul hijjah?

meaning 'the month of the pilgrimage' as many muslims go on hajj in this time, dhul hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the islamic year. the first ten days of this month are the best days of the entire year. yes - even better than ramadan:

it was narrated by Ibn Abbas that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul- Hijjah" - Sunan Ibn Majah 1727

these ten days encompass the day of Arafah, Hajj, and Eid ul-Adha

this month, we remember prophet Ibrahim (as) and how he was told by Allah to sacrifice his son, Hadrat Ismail (as). he took hadrat Ismail (as) on top of mount Arafat for the sacrifice, and just as he was about to sacrifice Ismail (as), Allah told him to stop as He was only testing him to see if he was truly obedient and willing to sacrifice everything for Allah's sake. the 9th day of dhul hijjah is the day of Arafah, commemorating this event.

we also remember how Allah told Ibrahim (as) to leave Ismail (as) and his wife, Hadrat Hajar, in a desert - which, today, is present day makkah.

this month is therefore about obedience, surrender and sacrifice for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَ��َعَٰلَىٰ.

depending on the sighting of the moon, dhul hijjah is expected to begin friday 7th june!

what to do in these first ten days?

even if you're not going for hajj, you should use these blessed days for extra righteous deeds and worship, especially on the day of arafah - the 9th day (which falls on 16th june this year, Insha'Allah) - the day before eid.

FASTING

it is a sunnah to fast the first 9 days of dhul hijjah. if you won't fast all 9 days, then it's best to prioritise the 9th day, the day of Arafah. this is because the prophet ﷺ said: “Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 1730) however, unless you're going for hajj and you're actually at Afarah, then you cannot as it's forbidden to fast while on the mountain.

DHIKR

it's extremely important to increase your dhikr in this time. recite the tasbeeh, tahmeed, takbeer and tahleel often: tasbeeh - subhanallah (Holy is Allah) tahmeed - alhamdulillah (all praise belongs to Allah) takbeer - Allah Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) tahleel - laa ilaha ill-Allah (there is no God except Allah) Allah said “remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue” (29:46) - it brings you closer to Him, you feel more certain in His powers that He can remove any hardship which makes the heart feel less anxious, Allah becomes your Friend, you'll become successful (remember Allah often so you may prosper” (8:46), it cleans your heart, it protects you from harm, Allah becomes pleased with you. it truly is the greatest virtue.

also recite istighfar (astagfirullah) and repent for your sins

the best dua to recite on the day of Arafah itself is:

laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer - (None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent)

OTHER INCREASED ACTS OF WORSHIP

do extra voluntary acts of worship (nawafil, sunnah prayers, duha prayers)

read a lot of Qur'an

listen to the Qur'an more

send many, many salutations to the Prophet ﷺ (durood sharif!)

practice gratitude. what are you thankful for?

pray tahajjud

give sadaqah / donate to a charity. make sacrifices!

be kind!

read translation and commentary of surahs

listen to islamic podcasts/read islamic books to increase your knowledge

memorise a surah

talk to Allah!!!! pray!!!!

try and increase your acts of worship throughout the 9 days and especially on the 9th day, the day of arafah, which is the day before eid! (16th june Insha'Allah, depending on where you are in the world)

10th day - eid ul adha

on the tenth day of dhul hijjah (eid), our beloved Prophet ﷺ used to give Qurbani (a sacrifice) every year to remember Ibrahim (as) almost sacrificing his son for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ's sake. muslims sacrifice animals all over the world to follow this sunnah, and donating qurbani is encouraged for every Muslim who is financially able to do so (this can be done online)

may Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ make it easy for us to utilise these blessed and best 10 days to the best of our abilities, forgive us of our sins, draw us ever nearer to Him and allow us to become His best friends, Allahumma Ameen ♡

[esmarelda]

Never forget Abu Obaida’s words:

“O OUR FAMILY, O OUR PEOPLE, O OUR NATION, IT IS A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR OUR RESISTANCE, OUR MOVEMENT, AND ITS BRIGADES IN THIS BATTLE AND THROUGHOUT IT IS THAT IT OFFERS MARTYRS FROM ITS LEADERS BEFORE ITS SOLDIERS. THE ZIONIST CELEBRATION OF THE ASSASSINATION OF OUR MOVEMENT'S LEADERS AND RESISTANCE LEADERS, FOREMOST THE GREAT FIGHTER LEADER ISMAIL HANIYEH, MAY ALLAH HAVE MERCY ON HIM, AND THE GREAT MARTYR LEADER SAYYED HASSAN NASRALLAH SECRETARY-GENERAL OF HEZBOLLAH, MAY ALLAH ACCEPT HIM, AND OTHERS FROM THE CONVOY OF RIGHTEOUS MARTYRS ON ALL FRONTS, IT IS THE GREATEST EVIDENCE THAT THIS ARROGANT ENEMY DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE LESSONS OF HISTORY, THE REALITIES OF THE PRESENT, NOR THE CULTURE AND WILL OF OUR PEOPLE AND OUR NATION. THEIR JOY OVER THE ASSASSINATIONS IS A TEMPORARY, ILLUSOR ANESTHETIC. A SHORT-LIVED JOY AND A FLEETING INTOXICATION, FOR WHEN HAVE ASSASSINATIONS EVER BEEN THE END OF LIBERATION MOVEMENTS AND RESISTANCE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD? ESPECIALLY IN THE HISTORY AND PRESENT OF OUR PALESTINIAN AND ARAB REVOLUTION. IF ASSASSINATIONS WERE VICTORIES, THE RESISTANCE AGAINST THE OCCUPATION WOULD HAVE ENDED WITH THE ASSASSINATION OF SHEIKH IZZ EL-DIN AL-QASSAM IN GROVES OF YA'BAD IN JENIN NINETY YEARS AGO. IF ASSASSINATIONS WERE VICTORIES, THE AL-QASSAM BRIGADES WOULD NOT HAVE CARRIED OUT OPERATION AL-AQSA FLOOD 20 YEARS AFTER THE ASSASSINATION OF THE MOST PROMINENT FOUNDERS OF HAMAS AND THE AL-QASSAM BRIGADES. AND IF BRUTALITY, HOUSE DEMOLITIONS, AND REVENGE AGAINST INNOCENTS STOPPED THE RESISTANCE, THE HEROES OF GAZA WOULD NOT HUMILIATE THE ENEMY IN EVERY STREET AND ALLEY AFTER A BRUTAL GENOCIDAL WAR. NOR WOULD THE HEROES OF THE WEST BANK TODAY RISE UP, FIGHT, AND TROUBLE THE ENEMY FROM JENIN TO AL-KHALIL 22 YEARS AFTER THE SO-CALLED "OPERATION DEFENSIVE SHIELD." THUS, THE POLICY OF ASSASSINATING GREAT HEROES IS THE END OF GOODNESS AND THE TRUE SIGN OF VICTORY FOR THE FREE. AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS A SOURCE OF REGRET AND FRUSTRATION FOR THE AGGRESSORS. OUR LORD, THE ALL-KNOWING, THE ALL-WISE, HAS COMMENTED ON THIS WITH HIS WORDS, "THEY PLOT AND PLAN, AND ALLAH TOO PLANS, BUT ALLAH IS THE BEST OF PLANNERS." WE ACT WITH ALLAH'S WILL, UNDER HIS WATCHFUL EYE, AND HE REPLACES ONE LEADER WITH ANOTHER, ONE SOLDIER WITH TEN, AND ONE MARTYR WITH A THOUSAND FIGHTERS, FOR THIS LAND PRODUCES FIGHTERS AS IT PRODUCES OLIVES, AND IT PASSES DOWN DIGNITY TO FUTURE GENERATIONS, AS IT HAS INHERITED FROM THOUSANDS OF PROPHETS, COMPANIONS, RIGHTEOUS MEN, AND FIGHTERS WHO REST IN ITS SACRED SOIL.”

Rest in paradise Yahya Sinwar. A truly iconic leader and one of the greatest heroes this world has ever seen.

Palestine will be free! 🇵🇸

[eretzyisrael]

by Robert Williams

To assess correctly the damage that Qatari influence in the US is causing, it is essential to understand what Qatar stands for and promotes. Qatar has for decades cultivated a close relationship with the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, whose motto is: “‘Allah is our objective; the Prophet is our leader; the Quran is our law; Jihad is our way; dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.” It aims to ensure that Islamic law, Sharia, governs all countries and all matters.

Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has enjoyed Qatar as its main sponsor, to the tune of up to $360 million a year, and was until recently the home of Hamas’ leadership. In 2012, Ismail Haniyeh, head of the terrorist group’s political bureau, Mousa Abu Marzook, and Khaled Mashaal, among others, moved to Qatar for a life of luxury. This month, likely because of Israel’s announcement that it will hunt down and eliminate Hamas leaders in Qatar and Turkey, the Qatar-based Hamas officials reportedly fled to other countries.

Qatar was also home to Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, who was exiled from Egypt until his death in September 2022. According to the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center:

💬 “Qaradawi is mainly known as the key figure in shaping the concept of violent jihad and the one who allowed carrying out terror attacks, including suicide bombing attacks, against Israeli citizens, the US forces in Iraq, and some of the Arab regimes. Because of that, he was banned from entering Western countries and some Arab countries…. In 1999, he was banned from entering the USA. In 2009, he was banned from entering Britain…”

Qaradawi also founded many radical Islamist organizations which are funded by Qatar. These include the International Union of Muslim Scholars, which released a statement that called the October 7 massacre perpetrated by Hamas against communities in southern Israel an “effective” and “mandatory development of legitimate resistance” and said that Muslims have a religious duty to support their brothers and sisters “throughout all of Palestine, especially in Al-Aqsa, Jerusalem, and Gaza.”

Qatar is still home to the lavishly-funded television network Al Jazeera, founded in 1996 by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al Thani. Called the “mouthpiece of the Muslim Brotherhood,” Al Jazeera began the violent “Arab Spring,” which “brought the return of autocratic rulers.”

In 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt made 13 demands of Qatar: “to cut off relations with Iran, shutter Al Jazeera, and stop granting Qatari citizenship to other countries’ exiled oppositionists.” They subsequently cut ties with Qatar over its failure to agree to any of the demands, including ending its support for terrorism, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Al Jazeera.

The Saudi state-run news agency SPA said at the time:

💬 “[Qatar] embraces multiple terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at disturbing stability in the region, including the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS [Islamic State] and al-Qaeda, and promotes the message and schemes of these groups through their media constantly,”

US universities and colleges are happy to see this kind of influence on their campuses in exchange for billions of dollars in Qatari donations. According to ISGAP:

💬 “[F]oreign donations from Qatar, especially, have had a substantial impact on fomenting growing levels of antisemitic discourse and campus politics at US universities, as well as growing support for anti-democratic values within these institutions of higher education.”

[repentingxnafs]

❝ Prophet Ibrāhim عليه السلام was trialed with being thrown in fire , and Prophet Ismail عليه السلام was trialed with being prepared to be slaughtered. Prophet Ya'qub عليه السلام was tested with losing his children and Yusuf عليه السلام endured resisting desires . Prophet Ayyub عليه السلام was tested in sickness and Prophet Dawūd عليه السلام and Prophet Sulayman عليه السلام were tested in tribulation (fitnah). All Prophets عليه السلام experienced similar tests; as for the tests of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , the calamities of hunger and a hard life are readily known.

This is because life is designed to be a place for trials; therefore the intelligent one should train himself with patience (sabr) and understand that if a wish is granted then it is a grace (lutf), and what was not granted is because this is the normal thing to happen in life. ❞

📕 : Captured thoughts | Imām Ibn al Jawzī ر حمه الله

[dailytafsirofquran]

Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Surah Al-Isra Ayah 1

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Revealed in Makkah

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.''

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

17:1 Glorified be He 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, in order that We might show him of Our Ayat.

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

The Isra' (Night Journey)

Allah glorifies Himself,

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.

Who took His servant for a Journey, refers to Muhammad.

by Night,
means, in the depths of the night.

from Al-Masjid Al-Haram, means the Masjid in Makkah.

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.

the neighborhood whereof We have blessed,

means, its agricultural produce and fruits are blessed

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

of Our Ayat.
i.e., great signs. As Allah says:

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.

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:

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).'

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.

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.

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.

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.

- then (the Prophet) said: Allah says:

And We raised him to a high station. (19:57) Then he resumed his narrative:

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.

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.

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.

He enjoined on me fifty prayers every day and night.

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

I said, `Fifty prayers everyday and night.'

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.'

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.'
I kept going back between my Lord and Musa, and (my

Lord) reduced it by five each time, until He said,

`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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.'

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.'

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;

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.'

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

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

I said, `Fifty prayers each day.'

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.'

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.'

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.'

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.'

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.'

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.'

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

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:

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.

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.'

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.

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

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.'

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.'

I said, `Who is this?'

He said, `This is Ibrahim.'

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 -

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:

Allah enjoined upon my Ummah fifty prayers.

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

I said, `He enjoined fifty prayers.'

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

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.'

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.'

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

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

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

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,

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,

(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,

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:

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,

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:

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.

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

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

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,

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,

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.

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:

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, (Yes). He said, `What is it?'

He said, I was taken on a Journey last night.
He said, `Where to?'
He said,

(To Bayt Al - Maqdis) .
He said, `Then this morning you were among us!' He said, (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, (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.'

I(The Messenger of Allah said was taken on a Journey last night).

They said, `Where to!'
He said,

(To Bayt Al - Maqdis) .

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

He said, (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,

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.

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:

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.

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.

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

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,

`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:

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.

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.

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

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

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.''

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.

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

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:

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:

took His servant for a Journey by Night.

and:
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:

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.

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)

[kemetic-dreams]

Are you scared yet???

When we hear of blood sacrifices what comes to mind?

Devil worshipping, doing something evil

And why and how did our preception of this become so?

Most of our perceptions of blood sacrifices comes from horror movies that are meant to cause over dramatic visuals.

When was the last time you saw a blood sacrifice?

People fear the unknown.

As European colonized the diaspora and Africa.

All aspects of African cultures especially the religion so to speak.

Random taunts of everything Africans did was devil worship and also Native Americans.

European's fear of the unknown, shifted the culture.

The same fault or superstition that was caste on Native Americans and Africans. Europeans are guilty of.

Leviticus 22:17-33 ERV

It might be because of a promise that person made, or it might just be a special sacrifice that person wanted to give to the LORD as a burnt offering.

If the gift is a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, the animal must be a male. And it must not have anything wrong with it. You must not accept any offering that has anything wrong with it. I will not accept that gift. “You might bring a fellowship offering to the LORD. That fellowship offering might be payment for a special promise that you made. Or maybe it is a special gift that you wanted to give to the Lord. It can be a bull or a sheep, but it must be healthy. There must be nothing wrong with that animal. You must not offer to the LORD any animal that is blind, that has broken bones or is crippled, or that has a discharge or a serious skin disease. You must not offer sick animals as a gift to the any animal that is blind, that has broken bones or is crippled, or that has a discharge or a serious skin disease. You must not offer sick animals as a gift to the LORD. You must not put anything like that on his altar. “Sometimes a bull or lamb will have a leg that is too long, or a foot that did not grow right. If you want to give that animal as a special gift to the Lord, it will be accepted. But it will not be accepted as payment for a special promise that you made.

Qurbani means sacrifice. Every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, for the sake of God

Human sacrifice???

A foundational doctrine of the Christian faith is that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ paid the penalty for the sins of mankind—that without this act of love by the Son of God, humanity would have no hope of life after death.

In the traditional Yoruba religion and culture, sacrifice is referred to as (Ebo). It connotes offering something to a particular deity or cult in other to be in communion with them or to seek favours.

What is an EBO sacrifice?

Ebo, or sacrifice, is a broad concept including all types of sacrifices and offerings to the Orisha. These can include candles, fruit, candy, and various items or actions that may be appreciated by the Orisha. Ritual sacrifice is an important part of the beliefs and practices of Orisha worshipers.

Various scholars describe Vodou as one of the world's most maligned and misunderstood religions. Its reputation is notorious; in broader Anglophone and Francophone society, it has been widely associated with sorcery, witchcraft, and black magic. In U.S. popular culture, for instance, Haitian Vodou is usually portrayed as destructive and malevolent, attitudes often linked with anti-African racism. Non-practitioners have often depicted Vodou in literature, theater, and film; in many cases, such as the films White Zombie (1932) and London Voodoo (2004), these promote sensationalist views of the religion. The lack of any central Vodou authority has hindered efforts to combat these negative representations.

Since the 1990s, evangelical Protestantism has grown in Haiti, generating tensions with Vodouists; these Protestants regard Vodou as Satanic, and unlike the Roman Catholic authorities have generally refused to compromise with Vodouists

Leviticus 17:11 is the Old Testament’s central statement about the significance of blood in the sacrificial system. God, speaking to Moses, declares: “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

A “sacrifice” is defined as the offering up of something precious for a cause or a reason. Making atonement is satisfying someone or something for an offense committed. The Leviticus verse can be read more clearly now: God said, “I have given it to you (the creature’s life, which is in its blood) to make atonement for yourselves (covering the offense you have committed against Me).” In other words, those who are covered by the blood sacrifice are set free from the consequences of sin.

Ancient Egypt was at the forefront of domestication, and some of the earliest archeological evidence suggesting animal sacrifice comes from Egypt. However, animal sacrifice was not a central practice of Egyptian religion, but was rather a peripherical occurrence that happened away from worshippers. The oldest Egyptian burial sites containing animal remains originate from the Badari culture of Upper Egypt, which flourished between 4400 and 4000 BCE. Sheep and goats were found buried in their own graves at one site, while at another site gazelles were found at the feet of several human burials. At a cemetery uncovered at Hierakonpolis and dated to 3000 BCE, the remains of a much wider variety of animals were found, including non-domestic species such as baboons and hippopotami, which may have been sacrificed in honor of powerful former citizens or buried near their former owners. According to Herodotus, later Dynastic Egyptian animal sacrifice became restricted to livestock – sheep, cattle, swine and geese – with sets of rituals and rules to describe each type of sacrifice

Worship in ancient Greek religion typically consisted of sacrificing domestic animals at the altar with hymn and prayer. The altar was outside any temple building, and might not be associated with a temple at all. The animal, which should be perfect of its kind, is decorated with garlands and the like, and led in procession to the altar, a girl with a basket on her head containing the concealed knife leading the way. After various rituals the animal is slaughtered over the altar, as it falls all the women present "must cry out in high, shrill tones". Its blood is collected and poured over the altar. It is butchered on the spot and various internal organs, bones and other inedible parts burnt as the deity's portion of the offering, while the meat is removed to be prepared for the participants to eat; the leading figures tasting it on the spot. The temple usually kept the skin, to sell to tanners. The fact that the humans got more use from the sacrifice than the deity had not escaped the Greeks, and is often the subject of humour in Greek comedy

Practices of Hindu animal sacrifice are mostly associated with Shaktism, Shaiva Agamas and in currents of folk Hinduism called Kulamarga strongly rooted in local tribal traditions. Animal sacrifices were carried out in ancient times in India. Some later minor Puranas forbid animal sacrifice though the upapurana, Kalika Purana, describes it in detail.

Shaktism traditions

A male buffalo calf about to be sacrificed by a priest in the Durga Puja festival. The buffalo sacrifice practice, however, is rare in contemporary India.

Animal sacrifices are performed mainly at temples following the Shakti school of Hinduism where the female nature of Brahman is worshipped in the form of Kali and Durga. These traditions are followed in parts of eastern states of India at Hindu temples in Assam and West Bengal India and Nepal where goats, chickens and sometimes water buffalos are sacrificed.

Sacrifice of Animals has less to do with worshipping of Satan or being evil.

Sacrifices are not all blood some are symbolic, fruits, money, clothes, aspects of life.

Kobe Byrant had to sacrifice friends and family to become who he is.

We all make some type of symbolic sacrifice that can be time or if you are a Celebrity, you sacrifice your privacy.

Abrahamic Cultures and Europeans superstition towards non-European cultures tend to cause our consciousness of Sacrifices.

[mercyguideheal]

Lessons from stories of the Prophets - Mufti Menk

Introduction https://youtu.be/VxuZSt_3fB0

Creation of Adam https://youtu.be/w6bX6GKqVa4

Adam on earth https://youtu.be/E8eUrhZjsB0

Adam on earth (part 2) https://youtu.be/8pezwHQRiUk

Sheeth https://youtu.be/T30tVG3uKZM

Idrees https://youtu.be/aW-3wh27fdo

Full playlist 59 vids https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC466F1D802E87A7E

[quranwithsehar]

Ibrahim AS - Chapter 2

Allah blessed Sarah with beauty, Imaan, a loving husband who was a prophet of Allah, but He did not give her a child. So, when Sarah saw Hajrah’s child, her heart started to ache.

Whether it was envy or jealousy, we have to understand that Sarah is a human, not a robot. She was so upset that she told Ibrahim AS to take the child away from there. She said, "If I kept looking at him, maybe I would kill him.

When you read about this incident, your heart suddenly becomes heavy. You expect perfection from pious people, and you don't expect human emotions from them. This is what we need to learn here: that prophets were also human beings, and their wives were too. They were not robots. They walked on the straight path of Allah with their emotions and desires, and so can we.

Therefore, everything you desire, and it looks very easy for someone else to find it in front of your eyes, while you beg Allah for it, seeing it will hurt you. There will also be jealousy. And the heart will break. These are your human emotions. Face them. Don't hide them under the carpet.

Sarah was a brave woman. She did not conspire against Hajrah’s son. She did not say bad things. She communicated her emotions to the person who could take a step. She went to Ibrahim AS and told him everything.

But what do we do when we have a problem with someone? We go to every X, Y, Z and vent out, take out our heart's frustration, and avoid that one person we have a problem with. Only one person whom we don't say anything to is the person who is the problem for us. We gossip because we are cowards. We are afraid to communicate our heartfelt emotions to that person. Sarah was brave. She said what she felt.

So, know that Allah understands your heartfelt emotions. If you think about this story, then Sarah said a huge thing (that she can take this child's life). Obviously, she wasn't going to take a life. She was expressing the intensity of her emotions because she didn't have any children of her own. How could another child in the house feel good? So, Sarah spoke out.

And who did Allah give support to?

Allah gave support to Sarah.

What would you do if you were there? If you see a woman in a similar situation, you might console her. You might say she should have a big heart, etc. But Allah understands humans like no one else can. Allah did not tell Ibrahim to ask his wife to have a big heart. Why?

“Because Allah knows we should never burden those with harsh words who are already wounded.”

Allah had tested Sarah by not giving her children. If Allah does not understand His servant's distress, then who will understand? So Allah commanded Ibrahim to take Hajrah and Ismail and leave from there and go to Makkah.

Allah is aware of our distress. He is the one who created us. He is the one with whose permission we get afflicted with pain. If He doesn't know our emotions, then who will? So don't think that Allah expects perfection from you when you receive trouble, and he expects you to smile and say, 'I'm fine.' Nooo!

Like Yaqoob AS, tell Allah, complain about your sorrow and pain to Him. Tell Him who you're complaining about. He understands whoever He gives trouble to. He who could understand Sarah's emotions when perhaps no other human could, why wouldn't He understand yours?

The troubles that come from Allah are also taken away by Allah, and the cure for the troubles caused by humans is also with our Lord. Why do we think He won't understand us?

[ismailignosis]

The Ismaili Muslim View of Mi'raj

Dr. Khalil Andani, an Assistant Professor of Religion and intellectual historian of Islamic thought, explains the Shi‘i Ismaili Muslim understanding of the Prophet’s Mi‘raj using Ismaili primary sources from the Holy Imams and the great Ismaili philosophical Da‘is. Click Here to read Ismaili Gnosis’ full-length research article on the Prophet’s Mi‘raj.