Less than two-bow distance

"Glory to Him, Who did take His servant for journey       by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless, in order that We might show him some of our Signs; for He is the One Who heareth and seeth all things."     (Sura Bani Israil)

On 27th of Rajab-ul-Murajab Holy Prophet (PBUH) was resting in his cousin Um-e-Hani's house when the roof of the house split and Gabriel appeared there along with other angels and took him to Zam well where he took out the heart of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) by opening his chest, washed it with the water of Zam and placed it back.

Gabriel helps Holy Prophet (PBUH) to ride Buraq, the Divine horse that took him to the Mosque in Jerusalem where he led all the other prophets in praying to God. After that he was presented wine and milk. He chose the milk. Gabriel commented that he had adopted the path of nature.

According to another tradition Holy Prophet was resting in Hateem, the adjacent northern part of holy Ka’aba, when Gabriel visited him.

From there he journeyed through the heavens. He met with many exalted prophets of God. He met with Adam in the first heaven, Christ welcomed him in the second heaven, Joseph greeted him in the third heaven, Idrees met him in the fourth heaven. Aaron saw him in the fifth heaven and Moses greeted him in the sixth heaven. In the seventh heaven the Father of Prophets Abraham received him.

He also visited the Exalted House (Bait-ul-Mamoor) situated over the seventh heaven. Gabriel accompanied the Holy Prophet (PBUH) up to the station of The Lote Tree (Sidra-tul¬Mintaha): the final frontier of the reach and access of the angels. Holy Prophet (PBUH) glorified God Almighty and witnessed the Great Veil (Hijab-e-Azmat). After that the Grand Veil (Hijab-e¬Kibriya) was revealed upon him. Then he was blessed with the Beatific Visions (Tajiliyat) of the Attribute or God in the Extolled Veil (Hijab-e-Mehmood). Finally he witnessed the Lord Creator in Extolled Station (Muqam-e-Mehmood) in all His Splendor and Grandeurs.

"And, his heart did not falsify in witnessing what he saw.”     (Sura Najum)

During the journey of his Ascension the God blessed Holy Prophet (PBUH) with His favors. Exegetes of the holy Quran have specifically described three of the favors of God bestowed upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH) during his Ascension (miraj).

The last verses of Sura Baqra that contains the guiding principles of Islam.

The promise of forgiveness to the followers of Mohammad excluding those who commit infidelity.

Binding of five times' praying.

"Establish Salaat at sun’s decline till the darkness of the night and reciting from Quran in the morning Salaat, And recitation of the Quran in the morning is witnessed, And establish Salaat, in the small watches of the morning, it would be an additional spiritual profit for thee; soon will thy Lord raise thee to a station of Praise and Glory.”        (Sura: 17, V: 78-79)

It is narrated that in his journey of Ascension Holy Prophet (PBUH) witnessed the wonders of heavens. He was made to visit Paradise and witnessed the various stages of Hell as well. He saw the destined stations for the good and bad people and observed the rewards and penalties for their deeds. The Chief Warden of Paradise Rizwan called upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and look him around in the orchards and gardens of Paradise. It is stated in the holy Quran:

''God hath promised to Believer men and women Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting bliss. But, the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of God; that is the supreme felicity.”      (Sura: 9, V: 72)     

“The parable of the Garden, which the righteous ones are promised! Beneath it flow rivers: perpetual in the enjoyment thereof and the shades therein: such is the End of the Righteous ones and the End of the Unbelievers is the Fire.” (S: 13, V: 35)

"Gardens of Eternity will they enter, therein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments there will be of silk. And they will tell 'Praise be to God, Who has removed from us all sorrows, for our Lord is indeed Oft Forgiving, Ready to appreciate."  (S: 35. V: 33-34)

"Enter ye the Garden with your Spouse, in beauty and rejoicing. To them will be passed round dishes and goblets of gold, there will be all that the souls could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and ye shall abide therein forever."       (S: 43, V: 70-73)

“As to the Righteous, they will in Gardens and in happiness enjoying the Bliss, which their Lord hath bestowed upon them and their Lord shall deliver them from the penalty of the Fire. They will be told to eat and drink with profit and health because of their good deeds. They will recline with ease on Thrones of dignity arranged in ranks and we shall join them to companions with beautiful big and lustrous eyes. And those who believe and whose families follow them in faith, to them shall We join their families; nor shall we deprive them of the fruit of aught of their works; yet is each individual in pledge for his deeds and We shall bestow on them of fruit and meat, anything they shall desire. They shall exchange there one another a loving cup free of frivolity, free of all taint of ill. Round about them will serve to them youths handsome as pearls well guarded.”      (S: 52, V: 17-24)

"Parable of the Garden, which the Righteous are promised in it are Rivers of water incorruptible. Rivers of milk of which the taste never changes, Rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink, and Rivers of honey pure and clear. In it is for them all kind of fruits and Grace from their Lord. Can those in such a state of bliss can be compared to such as shall dwell forever in the Fire and be given to drink boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels to pieces."     (S: 47, V: 15)

"Verily the companions of the Garden shall that Day have joy in all that they do; they and their associates will be in groves of cool shade, reclining on Thrones of dignity. Every fruit of enjoyment will be there for them. They shall have whatever they call for. Peace! A Word of Salutation from a Lord Most Merciful!"       (S: 36, V: 55-58)

God will deliver them from the evil of that Day and will shed over them a Light of Beauty and a blissful joy, and because they were patient and constant. He will reward them with a Garden and garments of silk. Reclining in the Garden on raised Thrones, they will not be troubled to see there neither the excessive heat of the sun nor the cold of winter. And the shades of the Garden will come low over them and bunches of fruit there will hang low in humility. And, amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and goblets of crystal. Crystal-clear made of silver they will determine the measure thereof according to their wishes and desire. And they will be given to drink there of a cup of wine mixed with Zanjabeel: a fountain there called Salsabeel. And, round about them will serve youths of perpetual freshness. If thou seest them thou wouldst think them scattered pearls. And when thou lookest, it is there thou will see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificient. Upon them will be Green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade and they will he adorned with bracelets of silver and their Lord will give to them to drink of a wine pure and holy. Verily this is the Reward for you and your endeavor is accepted and recognized.”  (S: 76, V: 11-22)

"But for those who fear the time when they will stand before the Judgment Seat of their Lord, there will be two Gardens. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

Containing all kinds of trees and delights. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

In each of them two springs will be flowing free. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

In them will be fruits of every kind, two and two. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

They will recline on carpets whose inner linings will be of rich brocade, the fruit of the Garden will be near and easy to pick. Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?

In them will be maidens, chaste, restraining their glances whom no man or jinn before them has touched.

Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny? Like unto rubies and carol. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

It there any Reward for Good—other than Good? Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

And, besides these two there are two other Gardens (for them). Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

Both these would be dark-green in color. Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?

In each of them will he two springs pouring forth water in continuous abundance. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

In them will be fruits and dates and pomegranates. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

In them will be companions fair, good and beautiful. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

Companions restrained to goodly pavilions. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

Whom no man or jinn before him has touched. Then which the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

Reclining on green cushions and carpets of beauty. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

Blessed be the Name of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor.    (S: 55, V: 46-78)

It is narrated that in that night of his Ascension Holy Prophet (PBUH) also had a fleeting with the warden of Hell and he was shown around to see people suffering the penalties for their sins. He observed that:

Some people were being fed upon the flesh cut off from their own bodies. He was informed that they were the backbiters and complainers on others.

There were people with camel like lips and burning coals were being thrust into their mouths. They were the people who usurped the goods belonging to the orphans.

The bellies of usurers were so large that they could not move and these were full of snacks. One of the money lenders was seen swimming in the stream of blood, when he tried to get out of that stream people standing on the bank started pelting stones at him and he had to retreat.

People who earn their livelihood using unfair means were seen as eating rotten and putrefied meat.

Few were seen that their lips and tongues were cut and when the cut parts were regenerated the painful exercise of cutting them would start all over again. Holy Prophet (PBUH) was told that these were the preachers who preached what they never acted upon.

Holy Prophet (PBUH) witnessed a bull coming out of a small stone. After getting out of that stone the bull attempted to re-enter the same stone. He was told that this was an illustration of a person who says a nasty thing and has no power to take it back.

In his journey of Ascension Holy Prophet (PBUH) covered a distance of thousands of miles on the earth and then embarked upon the journey of heavens and covered the distance of millions of light years but when he returned from his Journey the chain of the door was still moving just as was moving at the time of his departure.

After returning from his Ascension Holy Prophet (PBUH) narrated the whole account of the journey to his cousin Um-e-Hani, who fearing the mockery of Quraish, suggested that this episode might not be related to the people. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, "I would indeed mention this event before the people. Real is my Lord and true is all that l have witnessed.

Visionless infidels of Makka ridiculed Holy Prophet (PBUH) declaring the episode as an absurd story. A few amongst the Muslims whose faith had not taken root in their hearts properly converted back to their old faith. Infidels of Makka asked for Abu Bakkar's comments about the Holy Prophet's claim of visiting the Doom of Rocks in Jerusalem and returning back to Makka in the same hour of the night. Abu Bakkar's reply was, “If Mohammad (PBUH) says so then this must be true. I believe in more than that angels come to visit him.”

Many amongst Quraish had seen the Doom of Rocks they asked questions about the design and other petty details of the building and its construction. The Doom of Rocks appeared before the vision of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and he described all its details leaving the infidels perplexed. One of the chieftains put a question about the location of their trade caravans. Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave them the locations of three trade caravans on their way back to Makka from Jerusalem. Few people were semi towards the Beza Valley to verify the stated location of the trade caravan nearest to Makka. They had to confirm the location when they saw the Caravan where it was told to be. The other two caravans also reached back on their times and confirmed that on the given hour of time they were at such and such place.

Here it would not be out of place to delve in to the famous explanation of Muslim exegetes about the so called gift of fifty times binding prayers for the Muslims, to Holy Prophet (PBUH), which, according to them. God granted him during His meeting with the Apostle in his Ascension. They say that God had bade him to tell his followers to say prayers for fifty times a day and on his way back Moses suggested that it was too much for his followers so he should go back to God and implore for some reduction in the gift.

Holy Prophet (PBUH) went back to see God and requested Him to reduce the number of Prayers so God accepted the pleadings of His beloved prophet and reduced them to forty. Moses told Holy Prophet (PBUH) that that was not enough. Holy Prophet (PBUH) again went back to God to plead reduction in Prayers for his followers. God very graciously reduced their numbers to thirty. Moses told him that his followers would not be able to pray for thirty times a day so he should again go back to ask for more reduction. Thus, on the fifth time God reduced the number of praying times to five. Moses was still having the opinion that even that was more than what his Followers could do.

This event is related traditionally in context of the Ascension of Holy Prophet (PBUH). I, Khwaja Shamsuddin Azeemi, the author of this book wish to clarify that this event is related as an attempt to establish the supremacy of Moses over the Holy Prophet (PBUH), whereby the Holy Prophet (PBUH) enjoys the exalted position of witnessing God from less than two-bows' distance and the holy Quran testifies this event saying, "And the heart did not falsify in seeing what it saw.”      (Sura Najam)

Indeed Moses is a respected prophet of God and was granted the Book of Old Testament but God Himself proclaims. "We have raised some prophets in status than others and they have priority over others.”

Now this is a strange explanation that Holy Prophet (PBUH), who is the last prophet of God and whose religion has been completed in its perfection, is being guided and directed by a prophet who is lower in rank by nine stations than the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Moses, an exalted prophet of God is stationed at the sixth heaven and Holy Prophet (PBUH) witnesses God beyond the Extolled Station (Muqam-e-Mehmood) in all His Splendor and Grandeurs and conversed with flint from a distance of less than two-bows. Over the sixth heaven comes the seventh heaven, the High Throne (Ursh), the Exalted house (Bait-ul¬Mamoor), the station of The Lote Tree (Sidra-tul-Mintaha): the final frontier of the reach and access of the angels, the Great Veil (Hijab-e-Azmat) and then the Grand Veil (Hijab-e-Kibriya), the Extolled Veil (Hijab-e-Mehmood). And. finally he witnesses the Lord Creator in Extolled Station (Muqam-e-Mehmood) where no prophet of God ever had any access before him.

It is quite perplexing that a prophet of such an exalted status is made to trudge between all these stations five times upon the behest of a prophet who is nine ranks lower than him. God may grant forgiveness to my descendents and me. This all is nothing but the Zionistic approach that aimed at belittling the stature of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

No man can make any increase or decrease in exaltation of any prophet but it is necessary to have this thing clearly understood that how it could have been possible for Moses to guide and direct Holy Prophet (PBUH), who’s coming has been predicted in all the holy books including the Old Testament.

Thousands of generators are operative in man. Four Channels of Light are feeding these generators. One of these Channels originates from the High Throne (Ursh), the second one commences from the Great Veil (Hijab-e-Azmat), the third one is coming off the Grand Veil (Hijab-e-Kibriya) and the source of the fourth one is in the Extolled Veil (Hijab-e-Mehmood).

Beatific Vision is a veil betwixt the Single Sell and the Entire Self. The concepts of the Entire Self are revealed upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH) through this veil and this reception is made possible by means of four Channels of Tasweed (Black Draught), Tajreed (Abstraction), Tashheed (Observation) and Tazheer (Manifestation).

Limits of:

The Channel of Tasweed is Alam-e-Lahoot (the Realm or Nonentity).

The Channel of Tajreed is Alam-e-Jabroot (the Realm of Divinity).

The Channel of Tashheed is Alem-e-Malakoot (The Realm of Anglicity)

And, The Channel of Tazheer is Alam-e-Nasoot (the Phenomenal Realm).

Elohistic Knowledge is based in Alam-e-Lahoot in the form the Unseen, Structural Formation of the universe and the Unseen upon which this formation is based, is found in Alam-e-Jabroot.

When the sphere of Alam-e-Jabroot descends down its limits it is known as Alam-e-Malakoot and when this Alam-e-Malakoot descends form its limits it becomes the Phenomenal Realm, World Perceived or the material world of ours.

Knowledge is of two types. The Presented Knowledge and the Acquired Knowledge.

Presented Knowledge can again be sub-divided into two types of Unseen of the Unseen (Ghaib-ul-Ghaib) and the Unseen i.e. Ilm-ul-Qalum (Knowledge of the Pen) and Ilm-e-Loh (Knowledge of the Scripturum). Presented Knowledge is a collection of the Atributive Realization of the universe. Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the percipient and trustee of Ghaib-ul-Ghaib. Ilm-ul-Qalum and Ilm-e-Loh.

Illustrations of these four Channels arc stocked in the inner of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and due to this storage the velocity of flight or the speed of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) exceeds to such a limit whence his physical body is liberated from the ties of spatio-temporal bonds, or to say, he is emancipated from the clutches of Time and Space and he reaches the Extolled Station with a speed greater than the speed of light.

“By the Star, when it goes down. Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled, nor does he say aught of his own desire. It is no less than Inspiration sent down to him. He was taught by one Mighty in Power, endued with Wisdom, for he approached in stately form while he was in the highest part of the horizon. Then he approached and came closer and was at a distance of but two bows' length or even nearer. So did God convey the Inspiration to His servant, conveyed what He meant to convey. The mind and heart (of the Prophet) in no way falsified that which he saw. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw? For indeed he saw Him at the last descent near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass: near is the Garden of Abode. Behold the Lote-tree was shrouded in mystery unspeakable. His sight never swerved nor did it go wrong, for truly did he see of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!”      (Sura: 53, V: 1-18)

If the distance between the earth and the sun is taken to be, as the scientists suggest, 90 million miles then it mean that Holy Prophet (PBUH) covered the distance of 1,440 million miles to reach the pinnacle of his journey and then again covered the same distance to return. This purports to journeying at the speed of 2,880 million miles in a wink of the eye.

In the present era, the greatest concern of the modern science is to have control over the maximum of the speed by negating the time involved and the whole edifice of the progress, of science is based upon achievement of maximum speed and negation of time but no human being can ever have that speed of flight which the Holy Prophet (PBUH) exhibits.