عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ - رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ - «أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - أَتَى بِفَرَسٍ، يَجْعَلُ كُلَّ خَطْوٍ مِنْهُ أَقْصَى بَصَرِهِ، فَسَارَ وَسَارَ مَعَهُ جِبْرِيلُ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - فَأَتَى عَلَى قَوْمٍ يَزْرَعُونَ فِي يَوْمٍ، وَيَحْصُدُونَ فِي يَوْمٍ، كُلَّمَا حَصَدُوا عَادَ كَمَا كَانَ، فَقَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ قَالَ: هَؤُلَاءِ الْمُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، تُضَاعَفُ لَهُمُ الْحَسَنَةُ بِسَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ، وَمَا أَنْفَقُوا مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ، ثُمَّ أَتَى عَلَى قَوْمٍ تُرْضَخُ رُءُوسُهُمْ بِالصَّخْرِ، كُلَّمَا رُضِخَتْ عَادَتْ كَمَا كَانَتْ، وَلَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنْهُمْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْءٌ. قَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ قَالَ: هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ تَثَاقَلَتْ رُءُوسُهُمْ عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ، ثُمَّ أَتَى عَلَى قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَدْبَارِهِمْ رِقَاعٌ، وَعَلَى أَقْبَالِهِمْ رِقَاعٌ، يَسْرَحُونَ كَمَا تَسْرَحُ الْأَنْعَامُ إِلَى الضَّرِيعِ وَالزَّقُّومِ وَرَضْفِ جَهَنَّمَ. قَالَ: مَا هَؤُلَاءِ يَا جِبْرِيلُ؟ قَالَ: هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤَدُّونَ صَدَقَاتِ أَمْوَالِهِمْ، وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ اللَّهُ، وَمَا اللَّهُ بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ، ثُمَّ أَتَى عَلَى قَوْمٍ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ لَحْمٌ فِي قِدْرٍ نَضِيجٌ، وَلَحْمٌ آخَرُ نِيءٌ خَبِيثٌ، فَجَعَلُوا يَأْكُلُونَ الْخَبِيثَ وَيَدَعُونَ النَّضِيجَ الطَّيِّبَ. قَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ قَالَ: الرَّجُلُ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ يَقُومُ مِنْ عِنْدِ امْرَأَتِهِ حَلَالًا، فَيَأْتِي الْمَرْأَةَ الْخَبِيثَةَ، فَيَبِيتُ مَعَهَا حَتَّى يُصْبِحَ، وَالْمَرْأَةُ تَقُومُ مِنْ عِنْدِ زَوْجِهَا حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا، فَتَأْتِي الرَّجُلَ الْخَبِيثَ فَتَبِيتُ عِنْدَهُ حَتَّى تُصْبِحَ، ثُمَّ أَتَى عَلَى رَجُلٍ قَدْ جَمَعَ حُزْمَةً عَظِيمَةً لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ حَمْلَهَا وَهُوَ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَزِيدَ عَلَيْهَا، فَقَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَذَا؟ قَالَ: هَذَا رَجُلٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ عَلَيْهِ أَمَانَةُ النَّاسِ، لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَدَاءَهَا وَهُوَ يَزِيدُ عَلَيْهَا، ثُمَّ أَتَى عَلَى قَوْمٍ تُقْرَضُ شِفَاهُهُمْ وَأَلْسِنَتُهُمْ بِمَقَارِيضَ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ، كُلَّمَا قُرِضَتْ عَادَتْ كَمَا كَانَتْ، لَا يُفَتَّرُ عَنْهُمْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْءٌ. قَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَا هَؤُلَاءِ؟ قَالَ: خُطَبَاءُ الْفِتْنَةِ، ثُمَّ أَتَى عَلَى جُحْرٍ صَغِيرٍ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ ثَوْرٌ عَظِيمٌ، فَيُرِيدُ الثَّوْرُ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ مِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجَ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُ، فَقَالَ: مَا هَذَا يَا جِبْرِيلُ؟ قَالَ: هَذَا الرَّجُلُ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِالْكَلِمَةِ الْعَظِيمَةِ فَيَنْدَمُ عَلَيْهَا، فَيُرِيدُ أَنْ يَرُدَّهَا فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُ، ثُمَّ أَتَى عَلَى وَادٍ فَوَجَدَ رِيحًا طَيِّبَةً، وَوَجَدَ رِيحَ مِسْكٍ مَعَ صَوْتٍ، فَقَالَ: مَا هَذَا؟ قَالَ: صَوْتُ الْجَنَّةِ تَقُولُ: يَا رَبِّ، ائْتِنِي بِأَهْلِي وَبِمَا وَعَدْتَنِي، فَقَدْ كَثُرَ غَرْسِي، وَحَرِيرِي، وَسُنْدُسِي، وَإِسْتَبْرَقِي، وَعَبْقَرِيِّي، وَمَرْجَانِي، وَقَصَبِي، وَذَهَبِي، وَأَكْوَابِي، وَصِحَافِي، وَأَبَارِيقِي، وَفَوَاكِهِي، وَعَسَلِي، وَثِيَابِي، وَلَبَنِي، وَخَمْرِي، ائْتِنِي بِمَا وَعَدْتَنِي. قَالَ: لَكِ كُلُّ مُسْلِمٍ وَمُسْلِمَةٍ وَمُؤْمِنٍ وَمُؤْمِنَةٍ. وَمَنْ آمَنَ بِي وَبِرُسُلِي، وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا، وَلَمْ يُشْرِكْ بِي شَيْئًا، وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذْ مِنْ دُونِي أَنْدَادًا - فَهُوَ آمِنٌ، وَمَنْ سَأَلَنِي أَعْطَيْتُهُ، وَمَنْ أَقْرَضَنِي جَزَيْتُهُ، وَمَنْ تَوَكَّلَ عَلَيَّ كَفَيْتُهُ، إِنِّي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا، لَا خُلْفَ لِمِيعَادِي، قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ، تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ، فَقَالَتْ: قَدْ رَضِيتُ، ثُمَّ أَتَى عَلَى وَادٍ فَسَمِعَ صَوْتًا مُنْكَرًا، فَقَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَا هَذَا الصَّوْتُ؟ قَالَ: هَذَا صَوْتُ جَهَنَّمَ تَقُولُ: يَا رَبِّ، ائْتِنِي بِأَهْلِي وَبِمَا وَعَدْتَنِي، فَقَدْ كَثُرَ سَلَاسِلِي، وَأَغْلَالِي، وَسَعِيرِي، وَحَمِيمِي، وَغَسَّاقِي، وَغِسْلِينِي، وَقَدْ بَعُدَ قَعْرِي، وَاشْتَدَّ حَرِّي، ائْتِنِي بِمَا وَعَدْتَنِي. قَالَ: لَكِ كُلُّ مُشْرِكٍ وَمُشْرِكَةٍ وَخَبِيثٍ وَخَبِيثَةٍ، وَكُلُّ جَبَّارٍ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِيَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ. قَالَتْ: قَدْ رَضِيتُ. ثُمَّ سَارَ حَتَّى أَتَى بَيْتَ الْمَقْدِسِ، فَنَزَلَ فَرَبَطَ فَرَسَهُ إِلَى صَخْرَةٍ، فَصَلَّى مَعَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ، فَلَمَّا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ قَالُوا: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَذَا مَعَكَ؟ قَالَ: هَذَا مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - خَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ. قَالُوا: وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قَالُوا: حَيَّاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَخٍ وَخَلِيفَةٍ، فَنِعْمَ الْأَخُ، وَنِعْمَ الْخَلِيفَةُ. ثُمَّ لَقُوا أَرْوَاحَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ، فَأَثْنَوْا عَلَى رَبِّهِمْ - تَعَالَى - فَقَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي اتَّخَذَنِي خَلِيلًا، وَأَعْطَانِي مُلْكًا عَظِيمًا، وَجَعَلَنِي أُمَّةً قَانِتًا، وَاصْطَفَانِي بِرِسَالَاتِهِ، وَأَنْقَذَنِي مِنَ النَّارِ، وَجَعَلَهَا عَلَيَّ بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا، ثُمَّ إِنَّ مُوسَى - عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ - أَثْنَى عَلَى رَبِّهِ، فَقَالَ: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي كَلَّمَنِي تَكْلِيمًا، وَاصْطَفَانِي وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيَّ التَّوْرَاةَ، وَجَعَلَ هَلَاكَ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَى يَدَيَّ، وَنَجَاةَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَى يَدَيَّ، ثُمَّ إِنَّ دَاوُدَ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - أَثْنَى عَلَى رَبِّهِ، فَقَالَ: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لِي مُلْكًا، وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيَّ الزَّبُورَ، وَأَلَانَ لِيَ الْحَدِيدَ، وَسَخَّرَ لِيَ الْجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحْنَ مَعِي وَالطَّيْرَ، وَآتَانِيَ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ، ثُمَّ إِنَّ سُلَيْمَانَ - عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ - أَثْنَى عَلَى رَبِّهِ - تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى - فَقَالَ: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لِي الرِّيَاحَ وَالْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ، وَسَخَّرَ لِيَ الشَّيَاطِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ مَا شِئْتُ مِنْ مَحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِي وَقُدُورٍ رَاسِيَاتٍ، وَعَلَّمَنِي مَنْطِقَ الطَّيْرِ، وَأَسَالَ لِي عَيْنَ الْقِطْرِ، وَأَعْطَانِي مُلْكًا لَا يَنْبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِنْ بَعْدِي، ثُمَّ إِنَّ عِيسَى - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - أَثْنَى عَلَى رَبِّهِ، فَقَالَ: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَلَّمَنِي التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنْجِيلَ، وَجَعَلَنِي أُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ، وَأُحْيِي الْمَوْتَى بِإِذْنِهِ، وَرَفَعَنِي وَطَهَّرَنِي مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا، وَأَعَاذَنِي وَأُمِّي مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ، وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ لِلشَّيْطَانِ عَلَيْنَا سَبِيلًا. وَإِنَّ مُحَمَّدًا - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - أَثْنَى عَلَى رَبِّهِ، فَقَالَ: كُلُّكُمْ أَثْنَى عَلَى رَبِّهِ، وَأَنَا مُثْنٍ عَلَى رَبِّي: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَنِي رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ، وَكَافَّةً لِلنَّاسِ، بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا، وَأَنْزَلَ عَلَيَّ الْفُرْقَانَ فِيهِ تِبْيَانُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، وَجَعَلَ أُمَّتِي خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ، وَجَعَلَ أُمَّتِي وَسَطًا، وَجَعَلَ أُمَّتِي هُمُ الْأَوَّلُونَ وَهُمُ الْآخِرُونَ، وَشَرَحَ لِي صَدْرِي، وَوَضَعَ عَنِّي وِزْرِي، وَرَفَعَ لِي ذِكْرِي، وَجَعَلَنِي فَاتِحًا وَخَاتَمًا، فَقَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -: بِهَذَا فَضَلَكُمْ مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -. ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِآنِيَةٍ ثَلَاثَةٍ مُغَطَّاةٍ، فَدُفِعَ إِلَيْهِ إِنَاءٌ فِيهِ مَاءٌ، فَقِيلَ لَهُ: اشْرَبْ، ثُمَّ دُفِعَ إِلَيْهِ إِنَاءٌ آخَرُ فِيهِ لَبَنٌ فَشَرِبَ حَتَّى رَوِيَ، ثُمَّ دُفِعَ إِلَيْهِ إِنَاءٌ آخَرُ فِيهِ خَمْرٌ، فَقَالَ: قَدْ رَوِيتُ، لَا أَذُوقُهُ، فَقِيلَ لَهُ: أَصَبْتَ، أَمَّا إِنَّهَا سَتُحَرَّمُ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ، وَلَوْ شَرِبْتَهَا لَمْ يَتَّبِعْكَ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ. ثُمَّ صَعِدَ بِهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ، فَاسْتَفْتَحَ جِبْرِيلُ فَقِيلَ: مَنْ هَذَا؟ قَالَ: جِبْرِيلُ، قِيلَ: وَمَنْ مَعَكَ؟ قَالَ: مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -. قَالُوا: وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قَالُوا: حَيَّاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَخٍ وَخَلِيفَةٍ، فَنِعْمَ الْأَخُ وَنِعْمَ الْخَلِيفَةُ، وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ. فَدَخَلَ فَإِذَا بِشَيْخٍ جَالِسٍ تَامِّ الْخَلْقِ لَمْ يَنْقُصْ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ شَيْئٌ كَمَا يَنْقُصُ مِنْ خَلْقِ الْبَشَرِ، عَنْ يَمِينِهِ بَابٌ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ رِيحٌ طَيِّبَةٌ، وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ بَابٌ تَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ رِيحٌ خَبِيثَةٌ، إِذَا نَظَرَ إِلَى الْبَابِ الَّذِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ ضَحِكَ، وَإِذَا نَظَرَ إِلَى الْبَابِ الَّذِي عَنْ يَسَارِهِ بَكَى وَحَزِنَ، فَقَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَذَا الشَّيْخُ؟ وَمَا هَذَانِ الْبَابَانِ؟ قَالَ: هَذَا أَبُوكَ آدَمُ، وَهَذَا الْبَابُ الَّذِي عَنْ يَمِينِهِ بَابُ الْجَنَّةِ، إِذَا رَأَى مَنْ يَدْخُلُهُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ ضَحِكَ وَاسْتَبْشَرَ، وَإِذَا نَظَرَ إِلَى الْبَابِ الَّذِي عَنْ شِمَالِهِ بَابِ جَهَنَّمَ مَنْ يَدْخُلُهُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِهِ بَكَى وَحَزِنَ. ثُمَّ صَعِدَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَاسْتَفْتَحَ، فَقَالَ: مَنْ هَذَا؟ فَقَالَ: جِبْرِيلُ. قَالُوا: وَمَنْ مَعَكَ؟ قَالَ: مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - قَالُوا: وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قَالُوا: حَيَّاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَخٍ وَخَلِيفَةٍ، فَنِعْمَ الْأَخُ وَنِعْمَ الْخَلِيفَةُ، وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ. فَدَخَلَ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِشَابَّيْنِ، فَقَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَا هَذَانِ الشَّابَّانِ؟ قَالَ: هَذَا عِيسَى وَيَحْيَى ابْنَا الْخَالَةِ، ثُمَّ صَعِدَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الثَّالِثَةِ، فَاسْتَفْتَحَ جِبْرِيلُ، فَقَالُوا: مَنْ هَذَا مَعَكَ؟ قَالَ: مُحَمَّدٌ. قَالُوا: وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قَالُوا: حَيَّاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَخٍ وَخَلِيفَةٍ، فَنِعْمَ الْأَخُ وَنِعْمَ الْخَلِيفَةُ، وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ، فَدَخَلَ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ جَالِسٍ قَدْ فَضَلَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فِي الْحُسْنِ كَمَا فَضَلَ الْقَمَرُ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ عَلَى سَائِرِ الْكَوَاكِبِ، فَقَالَ: مَنْ هَذَا يَا جِبْرِيلُ؟ قَالَ: أَخُوكَ يُوسُفُ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -. ثُمَّ صَعِدَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَاسْتَفْتَحَ جِبْرِيلُ، فَقَالُوا: مَنْ هَذَا مَعَكَ؟ قَالَ: مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -. قَالُوا: وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قَالُوا: حَيَّاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَخٍ وَخَلِيفَةٍ وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ، فَدَخَلَ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ، فَقَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلُ الْجَالِسُ؟ قَالَ: هَذَا أَخُوكَ إِدْرِيسُ، رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا. ثُمَّ صَعِدَ بِهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الْخَامِسَةِ فَاسْتَفْتَحَ جِبْرِيلُ، فَقَالُوا: مَنْ هَذَا مَعَكَ؟ قَالَ: مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -. قَالُوا: وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قَالُوا: حَيَّاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَخٍ وَخَلِيفَةٍ فَنِعْمَ الْأَخُ وَنِعْمَ الْخَلِيفَةُ، وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ، فَدَخَلَ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ جَالِسٍ يَقُصُّ عَلَيْهِمْ. قَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَذَا؟ وَمَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ حَوْلَهُ؟ قَالَ: هَذَا هَارُونُ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - الْمُخَلَّفُ فِي قَوْمِهِ، وَهَؤُلَاءِ قَوْمُهُ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ، ثُمَّ صَعِدَ بِهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ السَّادِسَةِ فَاسْتَفْتَحَ جِبْرِيلُ، فَقَالُوا: مَنْ هَذَا مَعَكَ؟ قَالَ: مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -. قَالُوا: وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قَالُوا: حَيَّاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَخٍ وَخَلِيفَةٍ، فَنِعْمَ الْأَخُ وَنِعْمَ الْخَلِيفَةُ، وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ، فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ جَالِسٍ فَجَاوَزَهُ، فَبَكَى الرَّجُلُ، فَقَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَذَا؟ قَالَ: مُوسَى - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - قَالَ: مَا يُبْكِيهِ؟ قَالَ: تَزْعُمُ بَنُو إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنِّي أَفْضَلُ الْخَلْقِ، وَهَذَا قَدْ خَلَفَنِي، فَلَوْ أَنَّهُ وَحْدَهُ، وَلَكِنَّ مَعَهُ كُلَّ أُمَّتِهِ. ثُمَّ صَعِدَ بِنَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ السَّابِعَةِ فَاسْتَفْتَحَ جِبْرِيلُ، فَقَالُوا: مَنْ مَعَكَ؟ قَالَ: مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -. قَالُوا: وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ. قَالُوا: حَيَّاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ أَخٍ وَمِنْ خَلِيفَةٍ، فَنِعْمَ الْأَخُ وَنِعْمَ الْخَلِيفَةُ، وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ، فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ أَشْمَطَ، جَالِسٍ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ عِنْدَ بَابِ الْجَنَّةِ، وَعِنْدَهُ قَوْمٌ جُلُوسٌ فِي أَلْوَانِهِمْ شَيْءٌ - قَالَ عِيسَى (يَعْنِي: أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ الرَّازِيَّ: وَسَمِعْتُهُ مَرَّةً يَقُولُ: سُودُ الْوُجُوهِ) - فَقَامَ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ فِي أَلْوَانِهِمْ شَيْءٌ، فَدَخَلُوا نَهَرًا يُقَالُ لَهُ: "" نِعْمَةُ اللَّهِ ""، فَاغْتَسَلُوا فِيهِ، فَخَرَجُوا وَقَدْ خَلَصَ مِنْ أَلْوَانِهِمْ شَيْءٌ، فَدَخَلُوا نَهَرًا آخَرَ يُقَالُ لَهُ: "" رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ ""، فَاغْتَسَلُوا فِيهِ، فَخَرَجُوا وَقَدْ خَلَصَ مِنْ أَلْوَانِهِمْ شَيْءٌ، فَدَخَلُوا نَهَرًا آخَرَ، فَذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ - تَعَالَى -: {وَسَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَابًا طَهُورًا} [الإنسان: 21]، فَخَرَجُوا وَقَدْ خَلَصَتْ أَلْوَانُهُمْ مِثْلَ أَلْوَانِ أَصْحَابِهِمْ، فَجَلَسُوا إِلَى أَصْحَابِهِمْ، فَقَالَ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَذَا الْأَشْمَطُ الْجَالِسُ؟ وَمَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الْبِيضُ الْوُجُوهِ؟ وَمَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ فِي أَلْوَانِهِمْ شَيْءٌ، فَدَخَلُوا هَذِهِ الْأَنْهَارَ فَاغْتَسَلُوا فِيهَا، ثُمَّ خَرَجُوا وَقَدْ خَلَصَتْ أَلْوَانُهُمْ؟ قَالَ: هَذَا أَبُوكَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - أَوَّلُ مَنْ شَمِطَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ، وَهَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمُ الْبِيضُ الْوُجُوهِ قَوْمٌ لَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُمْ بِظُلْمٍ، وَهَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ فِي أَلْوَانِهِمْ شَيْءٌ قَدْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَآخَرَ سَيِّئًا، تَابُوا فَتَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ. ثُمَّ مَضَى إِلَى السِّدْرَةِ، فَقِيلَ لَهُ: هَذِهِ السِّدْرَةُ الْمُنْتَهَى، يَنْتَهِي كُلُّ أَحَدٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ خَلَا عَلَى سَبِيلِكَ، وَهِيَ السِّدْرَةُ الْمُنْتَهَى، يَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَصْلِهَا أَنْهَارٌ مِنْ مَاءٍ غَيْرِ آسِنٍ، وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ لَبَنٍ لَمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُ، وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ خَمْرٍ لَذَّةٍ لِلشَّارِبِينَ، وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ عَسَلٍ مُصَفًّى، وَهِيَ شَجَرَةٌ يَسِيرُ الرَّاكِبُ فِي ظِلِّهَا سَبْعِينَ عَامًا، وَإِنَّ وَرَقَةً مِنْهَا مِظَلَّةُ الْخَلْقِ، فَغَشِيَهَا نُورٌ وَغَشِيَتْهَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ - قَالَ عِيسَى: فَذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ {إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَى} [النجم: 16]- فَقَالَ - تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى - لَهُ: سَلْ، فَقَالَ: إِنَّكَ اتَّخَذْتَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلًا، وَأَعْطَيْتَهُ مُلْكًا عَظِيمًا، وَكَلَّمْتَ مُوسَى تَكْلِيمًا، وَأَعْطَيْتَ دَاوُدَ مُلْكًا عَظِيمًا، وَأَلَنْتَ لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ، وَسَخَّرْتَ لَهُ الْجِبَالَ، وَأَعْطَيْتَ سُلَيْمَانَ مُلْكًا عَظِيمًا، وَسَخَّرْتَ لَهُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ وَالشَّيَاطِينَ وَالرِّيَاحَ، وَأَعْطَيْتَهُ مُلْكًا لَا يَنْبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ، وَعَلَّمْتَ عِيسَى التَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنْجِيلَ، وَجَعَلْتَهُ يُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَالْأَبْرَصَ، وَأَعَذْتَهُ وَأُمَّهُ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ، فَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ عَلَيْهِمَا سَبِيلٌ، فَقَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ - تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى -: "" قَدِ اتَّخَذْتُكَ خَلِيلًا وَهُوَ مَكْتُوبٌ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ: مُحَمَّدٌ حَبِيبُ الرَّحْمَنِ، وَأَرْسَلْتُكَ إِلَى النَّاسِ كَافَّةً، وَجَعَلْتُ أُمَّتَكَ هُمُ الْأَوَّلُونَ وَهُمُ الْآخِرُونَ، وَجَعَلْتُ أُمَّتَكَ لَا تَجُوزُ لَهُمْ خُطْبَةٌ حَتَّى يَشْهَدُوا أَنَّكَ عَبْدِي وَرَسُولِي، وَجَعَلْتُكَ أَوَّلَ النَّبِيِّينَ خَلْقًا وَآخِرَهُمْ بَعْثًا، وَأَعْطَيْتُكَ سَبْعًا مِنَ الْمَثَانِي وَلَمْ أُعْطِهَا نَبِيًّا قَبْلَكَ، وَأَعْطَيْتُكَ خَوَاتِيمَ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ مِنْ كَنْزٍ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ لَمْ أُعْطِهَا نَبِيًّا قَبْلَكَ، وَجَعَلْتُكَ فَاتِحًا وَخَاتِمًا "". وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ -: "" فَضَّلَنِي رَبِّي - تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى - بِسِتٍّ: قَذَفَ فِي قُلُوبِ عَدُوِّيَ الرُّعْبَ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ شَهْرٍ، وَأُحِلَّتْ لِيَ الْغَنَائِمُ وَلَمْ تَحِلَّ لِأَحَدٍ قَبْلِي، وَجُعِلَتْ لِيَ الْأَرْضُ مَسْجِدًا وَطَهُورًا، وَأُعْطِيتُ فَوَاتِحَ الْكَلَامِ وَجَوَامِعَهُ، وَعُرِضَ عَلَيَّ أُمَّتِي ; فَلَمْ يَخْفَ عَلَيَّ التَّابِعُ وَالْمَتْبُوعُ مِنْهُمْ، وَرَأَيْتُهُمْ أَتَوْا عَلَى قَوْمٍ يَنْتَعِلُونَ الشَّعْرَ، وَرَأَيْتُهُمْ أَتَوْا عَلَى قَوْمٍ عِرَاضِ الْوُجُوهِ، صِغَارِ الْأَعْيُنِ، فَعَرَفْتُهُمْ مَا هُمْ. وَأُمِرْتُ بِخَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً، فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مُوسَى، فَقَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى: بِكَمْ أُمِرْتَ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ؟ قَالَ: بِخَمْسِينَ صَلَاةً. قَالَ: ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ ; فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ أَضْعَفُ الْأُمَمِ، وَقَدْ لَقِيتُ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ شِدَّةً. فَرَجَعَ مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - فَسَأَلَ اللَّهَ التَّخْفِيفَ، فَوَضَعَ عَنْهُ عَشْرًا، فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مُوسَى، فَقَالَ لَهُ: بِكَمْ أُمِرْتَ؟ قَالَ: بِأَرْبَعِينَ صَلَاةً. قَالَ: ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِكَ ; فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ أَضْعَفُ الْأُمَمِ، وَقَدْ لَقِيتُ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ شِدَّةً. فَرَجَعَ مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - فَسَأَلَهُ التَّخْفِيفَ، فَوَضَعَ عَنْهُ عَشْرًا، فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مُوسَى فَقَالَ لَهُ: بِكَمْ أُمِرْتَ؟ قَالَ: بِثَلَاثِينَ. قَالَ: ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ لِأُمَّتِكَ ; فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ أَضْعَفُ الْأُمَمِ، وَلَقَدْ لَقِيتُ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ شِدَّةً. فَرَجَعَ مُحَمَّدٌ فَسَأَلَ رَبَّهُ التَّخْفِيفَ، فَوَضَعَ عَنْهُ عَشْرًا، فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مُوسَى، فَقَالَ لَهُ: بِكَمْ أُمِرْتَ؟ قَالَ: بِعِشْرِينَ. قَالَ: ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ عَنْ أُمَّتِكَ ; فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ أَضْعَفُ الْأُمَمِ، وَقَدْ لَقِيتُ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ شِدَّةً. فَرَجَعَ مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - فَسَأَلَ رَبَّهُ التَّخْفِيفَ، فَوَضَعَ عَنْهُ عَشْرًا، فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مُوسَى فَقَالَ لَهُ: بِكَمْ أُمِرْتَ؟ قَالَ: بِعَشْرٍ. قَالَ: ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ عَنْ أُمَّتِكَ ; فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ أَضْعَفُ الْأُمَمِ، وَقَدْ لَقِيتُ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ شِدَّةً. فَرَجَعَ مُحَمَّدٌ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - فَسَأَلَ رَبَّهُ التَّخْفِيفَ، فَوَضَعَ عَنْهُ خَمْسًا، فَرَجَعَ إِلَى مُوسَى، فَقَالَ لَهُ: بِكَمْ أُمِرْتَ؟ قَالَ: بِخَمْسٍ. قَالَ: ارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ التَّخْفِيفَ ; فَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ أَضْعَفُ الْأُمَمِ، وَقَدْ لَقِيتُ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ شِدَّةً. قَالَ: قَدْ رَجَعْتُ إِلَى رَبِّي حَتَّى اسْتَحْيَيْتُ مِنْهُ، وَمَا أَنَا بِرَاجِعٍ إِلَيْهِ، فَقِيلَ لَهُ: كَمَا صَبَرَتْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَى الْخَمْسِ ; فَإِنَّهُ يُجْزِئُ عَنْكَ بِخَمْسِينَ، يُجْزِئُ عَنْكَ كُلَّ حَسَنَةٍ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا "". قَالَ عِيسَى: بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - قَالَ: "" كَانَ مُوسَى - صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - أَشَدَّهُمْ عَلَيَّ أَوَّلًا، وَخَيْرَهُمْ آخِرًا» "". رَوَاهُ الْبَزَّارُ، وَرِجَالُهُ مُوَثَّقُونَ، إِلَّا أَنَّ الرَّبِيعَ بْنَ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: عَنْ أَبِي الْعَالِيَةِ أَوْ غَيْرِهِ. فَتَابِعِيُّهُ مَجْهُولٌ.
EnglishUnverified translation
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported: A steed was brought to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ whose stride reached as far as its eye could see. He set out, and Jibrīl ﷺ traveled alongside him. He came upon a people who were sowing crops in a single day and harvesting them on that same day; whenever they harvested, the crops returned as they had been. He said, "O Jibrīl, who are these?" Jibrīl replied, "These are the warriors in the cause of Allah; their good deeds are multiplied seven-hundredfold, and whatever they spend, He replaces it." Then he came upon a people whose heads were being crushed with boulders; whenever they were crushed, they returned to their former state without any reprieve. He asked, "O Jibrīl, who are these?" Jibrīl replied, "These are the ones whose heads grew too heavy to perform the prescribed prayers." Then he came upon a people who had patches of cloth on their fronts and backs, wandering like livestock to graze upon thorny shrubs (*ḍarīʿ*), the bitter Zaqqūm tree, and the burning stones of Hell. He asked, "What are these, O Jibrīl?" Jibrīl said, "These are the ones who did not pay the prescribed alms on their wealth; Allah did not wrong them, and Allah is never unjust to His servants." Then he came upon a people who had before them cooked, succulent meat in a cauldron, and raw, putrid meat alongside it, yet they were eating the foul, raw meat and leaving the wholesome cooked meat. He asked, "O Jibrīl, who are these?" Jibrīl said, "This is a man from your nation who leaves his lawful wife and goes to an immoral woman, spending the night with her until morning; and a woman who leaves her lawful husband and goes to an immoral man, spending the night with him until morning." Then he came upon a man who had gathered a massive bundle of wood which he was unable to lift, yet he sought to add more onto it. He asked, "O Jibrīl, who is this?" Jibrīl said, "This is a man from your nation who bears people's trusts which he cannot fulfill, yet he keeps taking on more." Then he came upon a people whose lips and tongues were being clipped with shears of iron; whenever they were cut, they returned as they were without any reprieve. He asked, "O Jibrīl, who are these?" Jibrīl said, "These are the preachers of discord (*khuṭabāʾ al-fitnah*)." Then he came upon a tiny hole from which a huge bull emerged; the bull then tried to re-enter where it had come out from, but could not. He asked, "What is this, O Jibrīl?" Jibrīl said, "This is the man who speaks a grave, destructive word and regrets it, desiring to take it back, but he cannot." Then he came upon a valley from which emanated a delightful fragrance and the scent of musk, accompanied by a voice. He asked, "What is this?" Jibrīl said, "This is the voice of Paradise saying: 'O my Lord, bring me my inhabitants and that which You promised me, for my plantings, my silk, my fine brocade, my heavy silk, my rich carpets, my corals, my pearls, my gold, my goblets, my bowls, my pitchers, my fruits, my honey, my garments, my milk, and my pure wine have multiplied; fulfill for me what You promised me!' Allah said: 'Yours is every Muslim man and Muslim woman, every believing man and believing woman; whoever believes in Me and My Messengers, acts righteously, associates nothing with Me, and sets up no rivals beside Me is safe. Whoever asks of Me, I shall grant him; whoever lends to Me, I shall reward him; and whoever relies upon Me, I shall suffice him. Truly, I am Allah, there is no deity worthy of worship except Me; I never break My promise. Indeed, the believers have attained success; blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.' Paradise said: 'I am well-pleased!'" Then he came upon a valley and heard a horrifying, hideous sound. He asked, "O Jibrīl, what is this sound?" Jibrīl said, "This is the voice of Hell saying: 'O my Lord, bring me my inhabitants and that which You promised me, for my chains, my shackles, my blazing fire, my boiling water, my murky discharge, and my foul pus have multiplied; my pit is deep and my heat is intense; bring me what You promised me!' Allah said: 'Yours is every polytheist man and polytheist woman, every foul man and foul woman, and every haughty tyrant who disbelieved in the Day of Reckoning.' Hell said: 'I am well-pleased!'" He continued until he reached Bayt al-Maqdis, where he dismounted, tethered his mount to a rock, and prayed alongside the angels. When the prayer concluded, the angels asked, "O Jibrīl, who is this with you?" He said, "This is Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the Seal of the Prophets." They asked, "Has he been sent for?" He said, "Yes." They said, "May Allah greet him as a brother and vicegerent; what an excellent brother, what an excellent vicegerent, and what an excellent arrival!" Then he met the souls of the Prophets, who all praised their Lord, the Exalted. Ibrāhīm ﷺ praised his Lord, saying: "Praise be to Allah Who took me as an intimate friend, granted me a magnificent dominion, made me a submissive leader, chose me for His messages, delivered me from the fire, and made it cool and peaceful for me." Then Mūsā عليه السلام praised his Lord, saying: "Praise be to Allah Who spoke directly to me, chose me, revealed the Torah to me, brought about Pharaoh's destruction at my hands, and granted deliverance to the Children of Israel through me." Then Dāwūd ﷺ praised his Lord, saying: "Praise be to Allah Who granted me a kingdom, revealed the Psalms to me, softened iron for me, subjugated the mountains and birds to glorify Him along with me, and granted me wisdom and decisive speech." Then Sulaymān عليه السلام praised his Lord, saying: "Praise be to Allah Who subjugated the winds, the jinn, and mankind for me, and subjugated the devils who fashioned whatever I wished—sanctuaries, statues, basins like reservoirs, and immovable cooking cauldrons; Who taught me the speech of birds, made a spring of molten copper flow for me, and granted me a kingdom not granted to anyone after me." Then ʿĪsā ﷺ praised his Lord, saying: "Praise be to Allah Who taught me the Torah and the Gospel, made me cure the blind and the leper, and raise the dead by His leave; Who raised me up, purified me from those who disbelieve, and protected me and my mother from the accursed Satan so that Satan had no way over us." Then Muḥammad ﷺ praised his Lord, saying: "Each of you has praised his Lord, and I praise my Lord: Praise be to Allah Who sent me as a mercy to the worlds and to all mankind as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner; Who revealed upon me the Criterion (*al-Furqān*) containing a clear exposition of all things; Who made my nation the best nation brought forth for mankind; Who made my nation a justly balanced nation, making them the first and the last; Who expanded my chest for me, removed my burden, exalted my fame, and made me the opener and the seal." Ibrāhīm ﷺ said: "By this has Muḥammad ﷺ surpassed you all!" Then three covered vessels were brought to him. A vessel containing water was offered to him, and it was said, "Drink." Then another vessel containing milk was offered to him, and he drank until his thirst was quenched. Then another vessel containing wine was offered to him, and he said, "I have quenched my thirst; I will not taste it." It was said to him, "You have chosen rightly; indeed, it will soon be forbidden to your nation, and had you drunk it, only a few of your nation would have followed you." Then he was ascended to the heavens. Jibrīl sought entry at the lowest heaven, and it was asked, "Who is this?" He said, "Jibrīl." It was asked, "Who is with you?" He said, "Muḥammad ﷺ." They asked, "Has he been sent for?" He said, "Yes." They said, "May Allah greet him as a brother and vicegerent; what an excellent brother, what an excellent vicegerent, and what an excellent arrival!" He entered, and behold, there was an elder of complete, perfect stature, lacking nothing in his creation as human creation lacks. To his right was a gate from which a delightful scent emanated, and to his left was a gate from which a foul odor emanated. When he looked to the gate on his right, he smiled, and when he looked to the gate on his left, he wept in sorrow. The Prophet ﷺ asked, "O Jibrīl, who is this elder, and what are these two gates?" Jibrīl said, "This is your forefather Adam; the gate on his right is the gate of Paradise: when he sees those of his offspring who enter it, he smiles and rejoices; and when he looks to the gate on his left, the gate of Hell: when he sees those of his offspring who enter it, he weeps and grieves." Then he ascended to the second heaven and Jibrīl sought entry. The gatekeeper asked, "Who is this?" He said, "Jibrīl." They asked, "Who is with you?" He said, "Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ." They asked, "Has he been sent for?" He said, "Yes." They said, "May Allah greet him as a brother and vicegerent; what an excellent brother, what an excellent vicegerent, and what an excellent arrival!" He entered, and behold, there were two young men. He asked, "O Jibrīl, who are these two youths?" Jibrīl said, "These are ʿĪsā and Yaḥyā, maternal cousins." Then he ascended to the third heaven and Jibrīl sought entry. They asked, "Who is with you?" He said, "Muḥammad." They asked, "Has he been sent for?" He said, "Yes." They welcomed him, and he entered. Behold, there sat a man endowed with beauty surpassing all people, just as the full moon surpasses all other stars. He asked, "Who is this, O Jibrīl?" Jibrīl said, "This is your brother Yūsuf ﷺ." Then he ascended to the fourth heaven and Jibrīl sought entry. He entered, and behold, there sat a man. The Prophet ﷺ asked, "O Jibrīl, who is this man sitting here?" Jibrīl said, "This is your brother Idrīs, whom Allah raised to a high station." Then he ascended to the fifth heaven and Jibrīl sought entry. He entered, and behold, there sat an elder narrating to the people. He asked, "O Jibrīl, who is this, and who are these surrounding him?" Jibrīl said, "This is Hārūn ﷺ, appointed over his people, and these around him are his people from the Children of Israel." Then he ascended to the sixth heaven and Jibrīl sought entry. He entered, and behold, there sat a man. As the Prophet ﷺ passed beyond him, the man wept. He asked, "O Jibrīl, who is this?" Jibrīl said, "Mūsā ﷺ." The Prophet ﷺ asked, "What makes him weep?" Jibrīl said, "The Children of Israel claim that I was the most favored of creation, yet this one has succeeded me; were he alone it would be one thing, but with him is his entire nation!" Then Jibrīl ascended with us to the seventh heaven and sought entry. He entered, and behold, there sat a gray-haired elder upon a throne near the gate of Paradise. Beside him sat a group of people whose complexions had some blemish. These people rose and entered a river called *Niʿmatullāh* (The Grace of Allah) and washed therein; they emerged with their complexions noticeably cleansed. Then they entered another river called *Raḥmatullāh* (The Mercy of Allah) and washed therein; they emerged with their complexions further cleansed. Then they entered yet another river—fulfilling Allah's word: {And their Lord will give them a pure drink}—and emerged with their complexions completely radiant and pure like those of their companions, and they sat beside them. The Prophet ﷺ asked, "O Jibrīl, who is this gray-haired elder sitting here? And who are these white-faced people? And who are those whose complexions had a blemish, who entered these rivers and bathed, and then emerged with their complexions purified?" Jibrīl said, "This is your forefather Ibrāhīm ﷺ, the first person whose hair grayed on earth. As for those white-faced people, they are a people who did not obscure their faith with wrongdoing. And as for those whose complexions had a blemish, they mixed a righteous deed with another that was evil; they repented, and Allah accepted their repentance." Then he proceeded to the Lote Tree (*al-Sidrah*). It was said to him, "This is the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary (*Sidrat al-Muntahā*); at it terminates the soul of every one of your nation who passes upon your path. From its base flow rivers of water incorruptible, rivers of milk whose taste never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of clarified honey. It is a tree in whose shade a rider could travel for seventy years, and a single leaf of it provides shade for creation." A divine light enveloped it and angels enveloped it—which is the meaning of: {When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered it}. Allah, Blessed and Exalted, said to him: "Ask!" The Prophet ﷺ said: "You took Ibrāhīm as an intimate friend and granted him a magnificent dominion; You spoke directly to Mūsā; You granted Dāwūd a magnificent dominion, softened iron for him, and subjugated the mountains for him; You granted Sulaymān a magnificent dominion, subjugating for him jinn, men, devils, and winds, and granting him a kingdom not fitting for anyone after him; You taught ʿĪsā the Torah and the Gospel, caused him to heal the blind and leper, and protected him and his mother from the accursed Satan so that Satan had no way over them." His Lord, Blessed and Exalted, said to him: > **"I have taken you as an intimate friend—and it is written in the Torah: 'Muḥammad is the Beloved of the Most Merciful'—and I have sent you to all mankind entirely. I have made your nation the first and the last; I have ordained that no sermon is valid for them until they bear witness that you are My servant and My Messenger; I have made you the first of the Prophets in creation and the last of them in being sent; I have granted you the Seven Oft-Repeated verses (*al-Sabʿ al-Mathānī*), which I never gave to any Prophet before you; I have granted you the concluding verses of Sūrat al-Baqarah from a treasure beneath the Throne, which I never gave to any Prophet before you; and I have made you an opener and a seal."** The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: > **"My Lord, Blessed and Exalted, favored me with six honors: He cast dread into the hearts of my enemies from a distance of a month's journey; spoils of war were made lawful for me, whereas they were never made lawful for anyone before me; the earth was made for me a place of prayer and a means of purification; I was granted the openings of concise, comprehensive speech (*jawāmiʿ al-kalim*); my nation was displayed before me, such that neither the follower nor the followed was hidden from me—and I saw them coming upon a people wearing footwear made of hair, and I saw them coming upon a people with broad faces and small eyes, and I recognized who they were; and I was commanded with fifty prayers."** The Prophet ﷺ returned to Mūsā, who asked him, "How many prayers were you commanded with?" He replied, "Fifty prayers." Mūsā said, "Return to your Lord and ask Him for a reduction, for your nation is the weakest of nations, and I have tested the Children of Israel with great severity." So Muḥammad ﷺ returned and asked Allah for a reduction, and He reduced them by ten. He returned to Mūsā, who said, "How many were you commanded with?" He said, "Forty prayers." Mūsā said, "Return to your Lord and ask Him for a reduction for your nation, for your nation is the weakest of nations, and I have experienced severity from the Children of Israel." Muḥammad ﷺ returned and asked Him for a reduction, and He reduced them by ten. He returned to Mūsā, who asked, "How many were you commanded with?" He said, "Thirty." Mūsā said, "Return to your Lord and ask Him for a reduction for your nation, for your nation is the weakest of nations, and I experienced severity from the Children of Israel." Muḥammad ﷺ returned and asked his Lord for a reduction, and He reduced them by ten. He returned to Mūsā, who asked, "How many were you commanded with?" He said, "Twenty." Mūsā said, "Return to your Lord and ask Him for a reduction for your nation, for your nation is the weakest of nations, and I experienced severity from the Children of Israel." Muḥammad ﷺ returned and asked his Lord for a reduction, and He reduced them by ten. He returned to Mūsā, who asked, "How many were you commanded with?" He said, "Ten." Mūsā said, "Return to your Lord and ask Him for a reduction for your nation, for your nation is the weakest of nations, and I experienced severity from the Children of Israel." Muḥammad ﷺ returned and asked his Lord for a reduction, and He reduced them by five. He returned to Mūsā, who asked, "How many were you commanded with?" He said, "Five." Mūsā said, "Return to your Lord and ask Him for a reduction, for your nation is the weakest of nations, and I experienced severity from the Children of Israel." The Prophet ﷺ said: > **"I have returned to my Lord until I feel ashamed before Him, and I will not return to Him again."** Thereupon, it was said to him: > **"Just as you have resigned yourself to five, they shall suffice for you as fifty; every good deed will be rewarded tenfold for you."** The Prophet ﷺ said: > **"Mūsā ﷺ was the strictest of them upon me at first, and the best of them for me in the end."**