Page 24 - World Religions I - Islam

any further reductions, and so the daily number of
mandatory prayers remains at five. Since Allah's word
cannot change, he awards each prayer tenfold (since they
are considered 'good deeds'), so that the five daily prayers
are the equivalent of fifty.126 127
• Muhammad descended back to Mecca. Some traditions indicate
that "the Prophet woke up" in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca.128
• The Dome of the Rock (i.e. Qubbat as-Sakhra) was constructed
between AD 689 and 691 in Jerusalem to commemorate the
traditional location of Muhammad's ascension.
• There is no clear indication as to whether the two events of Isra' and Mi'raj
took place at the same time or two separate times.
o Almost all biographies that deal with Isra' and Mi'raj place them
together as a single event.48 49
o The Qur'an refers to the Isra' without any mention of the Mi'raj.
 Some Muslim commentators suggest that two Qur'anic
surahs reference the Mi'raj, although the passages are The 7 levels of Heaven
too weak to be relied on with any certainty."
• And [remember, O Muhammad], when We told you, 'Indeed, your Lord
has encompassed the people.' And We did not make the sight [or vision]
which We showed you except as a trial for the people, as was the
accursed tree [mentioned] in the Qur'an. And We threaten them, but it
increases them not except in great transgression." - Al-Isra' Biographical
accounts indicate that Surah 17:60 was send down concerning those
who left Islam for disbelieving the account of Isra', with no mention of it
referring to Mi'raj.131 (The Night Journey) 17:60 (trans. Sahih)
• "And he certainly saw him in another descent at the Lote Tree of the Utmost
Boundary - near it is the Garden of Refuge - when there covered the Lote
Tree that which covered [it]. The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor
did it transgress [its limit]. He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord."
- An-Najm (The Star) 53:13-18 (trans. Sahih)
o Most traditional accounts do not link the two events.
 Relevant Hadith specifically describe the place from which Muhammad ascended as
being in Mecca rather than Jerusalem.50 51 52 53 54
 The exception can be found in Sahih Muslim, which links the two events to a single
night.55
o Most Muslims believe Isra' and Mi'raj to be events in which Muhammad was physically
transported.
 Biographical and traditional details lead us to believe that these events were merely
visions, where "the apostle's body remained where it was but God removed his spirit
by night."56 When questioned about the validity of the Night Journey, one of
Muhammad's contemporaries said, "It was a true vision from God." According to
biographer Ibn Ishaq, the idea of the Isra' being a vision lines up with Surah 17:60:
"We made the vision which we showed thee only for a test to men..."102

Flight to Medina

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