Appendix 11 : Comparative Table of Five Principal Narratives

Hadith Source

Bukhari, No. 7517

Bukhari, No. 349

Bukhari, No. 3887

Muslim, No. 429

Nasa'i, No. 448

Book

Kitab al-Tawhid

Kitab al-Salah

Kitab Manaqib al-Ansar

Kitab al-Iman

Kitab al-Salah

Hadith Grade

Sahih

Sahih

Sahih

Sahih

Sahih

Companion Narrator

Anas bin Malik

Anas bin Malik, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari

Anas bin Malik, Malik bin Sa’sa’ah

Anas bin Malik

Anas bin Malik, Malik bin Sa’sa’ah

Tabi’i Narrator

Sharik bin Abdullah

Ibn Shihab

Qatadah

Thabit al-Bunani

Qatadah

Arrival of Three Angels Before Mi‘raj

One night, three angels came, identified the Prophet, and then left.

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Time of Mi‘raj

Night

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Location of the Prophet

Masjid al-Haram

The Prophet’s house (Makkah)

Hatim in Masjid al-Haram

Not mentioned

Near the Kaaba

Opening of the Roof

The roof of the Prophet’s house was opened

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

State of the Prophet

The Prophet was asleep, but his heart was awake.

Not mentioned

The Prophet was asleep.

Not mentioned

The Prophet was in a semi-sleep state.

Arrival of Angel

Not mentioned

Gabriel arrived

Gabriel arrived

Not mentioned

One angel arrived

Splitting of the Chest (Shaq al-Sadr)

The angels took the Prophet to the Zamzam well.

Gabriel opened the chest and washed the interior with Zamzam water.

The chest was filled with faith and wisdom and sealed.

Gabriel opened the chest, washed it with Zamzam, placed a tray filled with faith inside, then sealed it.

Gabriel opened the chest, removed the heart, placed it in a tray, washed it, and returned it.

Not mentioned

The chest was opened, the heart was washed with Zamzam, the heart was filled with faith and wisdom.

Riding Buraq

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

The Prophet rode Buraq

The Prophet rode Buraq

The Prophet rode Buraq

Observation of Bayt al-Maqdis

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

The Prophet reached Bayt al-Maqdis.

The Buraq was tied outside.

The Prophet prayed two rak’ahs.

Milk and wine were presented; he chose milk.

Not mentioned

Ascent to the Heavens

Gabriel took the Prophet to the first heaven.

Gabriel held the Prophet’s hand and ascended.

The Prophet and Gabriel ascended together.

The Prophet and Gabriel ascended together.

The Prophet and Gabriel ascended together.

First Heaven

The Prophet met Adam.

The Prophet met Adam. He saw rivers like the Nile and Euphrates and Kawthar.

The Prophet met Adam.

The Prophet met Adam.

The Prophet met Adam.

Second Heaven

The Prophet met Idris.

The Prophet met Idris, Jesus, and Moses on different heavens.

The Prophet met Jesus and John.

The Prophet met Jesus and John.

The Prophet met Jesus and John.

Third Heaven

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

The Prophet met Joseph.

The Prophet met Joseph.

The Prophet met Joseph.

Fourth Heaven

The Prophet met Aaron.

Not mentioned

The Prophet met Idris.

The Prophet met Idris.

The Prophet met Idris.

Fifth Heaven

The Prophet saw another Prophet.

Not mentioned

The Prophet met Aaron.

The Prophet met Aaron.

The Prophet met Aaron.

Sixth Heaven

The Prophet saw Abraham.

The Prophet met Ibrahim.

The Prophet met Moses.

The Prophet met Moses.

The Prophet met Moses.

Seventh Heaven

The Prophet saw Moses.

Not mentioned

The Prophet met Abraham.

The Prophet met Abraham near Bayt al-Ma’mur.

The Prophet met Abraham and approached Bayt al- Ma’mur.

Observation of Sidrat al-Muntaha

The Prophet reached Sidrat al-Muntaha.

Sidrat al-Muntaha was brought before the Prophet. The Prophet saw the Nile and Euphrates in river forms. Bayt al-Ma’mur was shown to the Prophet. Milk and wine were presented; he chose milk.

The Prophet reached Sidrat al-Muntaha.

The Prophet reached Sidrat al-Muntaha.

Sidrat al-Muntaha was brought before the Prophet. The Prophet saw the Nile and Euphrates in river forms.

Hearing Angels’ Pens

Not mentioned

The Prophet ascended further and heard the sound of the angels’ pens.

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Divine Proximity

The Prophet came so close to Allah as two bows’ length or closer.

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Divine Revelation

Allah revealed to the Prophet.

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Allah revealed to the Prophet.

Not mentioned

Obligation of 50 Prayers

Allah made 50 prayers obligatory.

50 prayers were made obligatory.

Allah made 50 prayers obligatory.

Allah made 50 prayers obligatory.

Allah made 50 prayers obligatory.

Moses Advising Reduction of Prayers

Moses advised reducing the number of prayers during the return.

Moses advised reducing the number of prayers during the return.

Moses advised reducing the number of prayers during the return.

Moses advised reducing the number of prayers.

Moses advised reducing the number of prayers.

Request to Allah for Reduction

The Prophet returned to Allah and requested a reduction in prayers.

The Prophet returned to Allah and requested a reduction in prayers.

The Prophet returned to Allah and requested a reduction in prayers.

The Prophet returned to Allah and requested a reduction in prayers.

The Prophet returned to Allah and requested a reduction in prayers.

Reduction in Prayers

10 prayers were reduced.

Some prayers were reduced.

10 prayers were reduced.

5 prayers were reduced.

10 prayers were reduced.

Moses Advising Further Reduction

Moses gave the same advice again.

Moses gave the same advice again.

Moses gave the same advice again.

Moses gave the same advice again.

Moses gave the same advice again.

Acceptance of Musa’s Advice by the Prophet

The Prophet accepted the advice and returned to Allah.

The Prophet accepted the advice and returned to Allah.

The Prophet accepted the advice and returned to Allah.

The Prophet accepted the advice and returned to Allah.

The Prophet accepted the advice and returned to Allah.

Repeated Advice by Moses and Prophet’s Return

The Prophet repeatedly returned upon Moses’s advice.

The Prophet repeatedly returned upon Moses’s advice.

The Prophet repeatedly returned upon Moses’s advice.

The Prophet repeatedly returned upon Moses’s advice.

The Prophet repeatedly returned upon Moses’s advice.

Final Obligation of Five Prayers

Finally, Allah made five prayers obligatory with tenfold reward.

Finally, Allah made five prayers obligatory with tenfold reward.

Finally, Allah made five prayers obligatory.

Finally, Allah made five prayers obligatory with tenfold reward.

Finally, Allah made five prayers obligatory with tenfold reward for each.

Observation of Sidrat al-Muntaha After Obligations

Not mentioned

Then Gabriel took the Prophet to Sidrat al-Muntaha.

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Observation of Paradise

Not mentioned

Then the Prophet observed Paradise.

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Waking Up from Sleep

The Prophet woke up and found himself in Masjid al-Haram.

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned

Not mentioned