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

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

During the night of the Mi’raj, the Prophet (s.a.w.), accompanied by Jibril (a.s.), travelled until the Prophet (s.a.w.) was brought the ladder by which the spirits of the children of Adam (a.s.) ascend.  Creation never saw a more beautiful object.  It had alternate stairs of silver and gold and came down from the highest and amplest Garden of Paradise, Jannat al-Firdaws.  It was incrusted with pearls and surrounded with angels on its right and left. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) began his ascent with Jibril (a.s.) until they reached one of the gates of the Nearest Heaven called Bab al-Hafazhah.  There, an angel stood guard, named Isma’il (a.s.), who was the custodian of the Nearest Heaven.  He inhabits the wind.  He never ascends to Heaven nor descends to earth except on the day that the Prophet (s.a.w.) passed away.  In front of him, stood seventy thousand angels; each angel commanding an army of seventy thousand more.  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.  When they came in, they saw Adam (a.s.), the father of humanity, as he was on the day Allah (s.w.t.) Created him in his complete form.  The spirits of the prophets and of his believing offspring were being shown to him, whereupon he would say, “A goodly spirit and a goodly soul, put her in the Highest, ‘Illiyyin!”  Then the spirits of his unbelieving offspring would be shown to him, and he would say, “A foul spirit and a foul soul, put her in the lowest layer of Hell, Sijjin!” 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) saw to Adam’s (a.s.) right great dark masses and a gate exuding a fragrant smell, and to his left great dark masses and a gate exuding a foul, malodorant smell.  Whenever Adam (a.s.) looked to his right he would smile and be happy, and whenever he looked to his left he would be sad and weep.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) greeted him and Adam (a.s.) returned his greeting and said, “Welcome to the righteous son and the righteous Prophet!” 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) asked, “What is this, O Jibril?” 

He replied, “This is your father, Adam, and the dark throngs are the souls of his children.  Those on the right are the people of Paradise, and those on the left are the people of the Fire.  Whenever he looks to his right, he smiles and is glad, and whenever he looks to his left, he is sad and weeps.  The door to his right is the gate of Paradise.  Whenever he sees those of his offspring enter it, he smiles happily.  The door to his left is the gate of Jahannam.  Whenever he sees those of his offspring enter it, he weeps sadly.”


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