Encounters during the Mi’raj: The Prophet (s.a.w.) in the 7th Heaven

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

During the night of the Mi’raj, the Prophet (s.a.w.) and Jibril (a.s.) ascended to the Seventh Heaven.  Jibril (a.s.) asked for the gate to be opened.  Someone asked, “Who is this?” 

“Jibril.” 

“Who is with you?”

“Muhammad.” 

“Has he been Sent for?” 

“Yes.” 

“Welcome to him, from his family!  May Allah Grant him long life, a brother of ours and a Deputy of Allah, and what an excellent brother and deputy!  What an excellent visit is this!”  The gate was opened.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) saw Ibrahim (a.s.) the Friend sitting at the gate of Paradise on a throne of gold, the back of which was leaning against the Inhabited House, al-Bayt al-Ma’mur.  With him was a company of his people.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) greeted him, and he returned his greeting and said, “Welcome to the righteous son and the righteous Prophet!”  Shaykh Muhammad al-Hasan ibn ‘Alawi al-Maliki (r.a.) said, “ma’mur” means “inhabited with the remembrance of Allah and the great number of angels.” 

Then Ibrahim (a.s.) said, “Order your ummah to increase their seedlings of Paradise, for its soil is excellent, and its land is plentiful.” 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “What are the seedlings of Paradise?” 

He replied, “Laa hawla wa la quwwata illa bi Allah al-‘Aliy al-A’azhim” which means, “There is no strength nor might except with Allah the High, the Almighty.”  Another version says, “Convey my greetings to your ummah and tell them that Paradise has excellent soil and sweet water, and that its seedlings are, ‘Subhanallah wa al-Hamdulillah wa laa ilaha illa Allah wa Allahu Akhbar.’”