The night journey, the hijra and building Madina

Last time

Before we start: last time, in Abyssinia, Ta’if and the Pledges of Aqaba, you learned these points. Here they are again on one card. Keep them in mind, because today builds on them.

From the heavens to a new home

In one year the Prophet, peace be upon him, was taken to the heavens, left Makka in secret, and began a new community. The night journey gave him comfort and gave Muslims the five daily prayers. The hijra gave them a home, and the first actions in Madina gave them a community. These are three favourite long answers.

The night journey: Jerusalem

In the year before the migration, the Prophet was taken on a journey 'from the sacred mosque to the farthest mosque', Sura 17.1. He was woken from sleep, and his heart was washed with zamzam by the angel Jibril. He was taken on Buraq from Makka to Jerusalem, where he led all the previous prophets in prayer. He was offered milk and wine and chose milk, and Jibril said, 'You have been guided on the fitra.'

The ascension

Jibril then took him up through the seven heavens. He met Adam at the door of heaven, then Isa and Yahya in the second, Yusuf in the third, Idris, Harun and Musa, and Ibrahim in the seventh, next to the Lote tree. He was led to the Lote tree, past which Jibril could not go, and he met his Lord. He was given the prayers, and the last two verses of Sura Baqara. On the way down Musa suggested he ask for fewer prayers. He asked several times, until it was five, and then said he was too embarrassed to ask again. It all happened in one night. When he told the Quraysh they laughed at him, and Abu Bakr believed him.